Lesson Plan: Positive and Negative Space in Art
Grade Level
Doesn't Matter
Subject
Art
Duration
30 minutes
Objectives
- Students will understand the concepts of positive and negative space.
- Students will be able to identify positive and negative space in various artworks.
- Students will create their own art piece utilizing both positive and negative space.
Materials
- White drawing paper
- Black markers or crayons
- Examples of artwork that demonstrate positive and negative space
- Scissors
- Glue (optional)
Lesson Outline
Introduction (5 minutes)
- Begin with a brief discussion about space in art. Ask students if they've heard the terms "positive" and "negative" space before.
- Define Positive Space: The area in a work of art that is the subject (e.g., an object, figure, or area of focus).
- Define Negative Space: The area around and between the subjects of an image.
Discussion and Examples (10 minutes)
- Show examples of well-known artworks that utilize positive and negative space. Suggested pieces:
- M.C. Escher's works
- The "Old Lady and the Young Lady" illusion
- Cut paper art by Henri Matisse
- Discuss how these artists have used space to create balance and interest.
- Ask students to identify the positive and negative spaces in each artwork.
Guided Practice (10 minutes)
- Provide students with white paper and black markers/crayons.
- Instruct them to draw an object (positive space) and emphasize the background (negative space). Encourage creativity but focus on how the shapes interact.
- Alternatively, students can cut out shapes from black paper and create a collage that represents positive and negative spaces.
Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes)
- Have students share their creations with the class, discussing their use of positive and negative space.
- Reflect on how identifying these spaces can enhance their understanding of composition in art.
Homework Assignment
Task
- Find Examples: Locate three images (online or from magazines) of artwork that clearly demonstrate positive and negative space.
- Write a Reflection: For each image, write a few sentences describing the positive and negative spaces and how they contribute to the overall composition.
Correct Answers/Guidelines
- Students should identify the positive space (the main subject) and the negative space (the background or surrounding areas) in each artwork.
- Reflective responses should include insights on how the relationship between the positive and negative spaces enhances the artwork’s visual appeal. Example prompts:
- "In the first image, the positive space is the silhouette of the tree, while the negative space is the sky around it. Together, they create a striking contrast that draws the eye."
Feel free to adjust the tasks and examples as necessary to fit the particular context and resources available in your classroom. Enjoy exploring positive and negative space in art!