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Positive and Negative Space Lesson Plan
Positive and Negative Space Lesson Plan
Positive and Negative Space Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan
Does a negative space have shape? In this exercise,
the students will explore the relationship between
positive and negative space. After all, one can't exist
without the other.
Grade Levels
Elementary through Junior High
Time Required
One class period (45 - 60 minutes)
Lesson Objectives
To develop promote an awareness of shape and
space. Students will create an original visual image
using colored construction paper that will demonstrate
that all spaces within a work of art have their own
unique shapes.
Procedure
Space and shape, two of the elements of design, work
together to form a finished work of art. There are two
kinds of space: positive and negative. Positive spaces
are those occupied by the main subjects of the work.
The Negative spaces are the areas around and behind
the positive spaces. Negative space can also be
referred to as the background.
It is no mystery that the shapes of positive spaces are
determined by the shapes of the main subjects of the
work. However, negative spaces have shapes as well.
If one removes the subjects from a work, the negative
spaces are left with a blank in the shapes of the parts
removed. Therefore, the shapes of the negative
spaces are determined by the shapes of the positive
spaces.