The Art Fundamental that I Don’t Have the Guts to Use: Composition in Art

This is a great reason to step outside of any genre you work in as an artist. You notice elements that may not be as prominent in other genres. I’ve known about negative space forever, and yet this is the first time I’ve thought about it deliberately and realized what a powerful storytelling it can be. xoxo Prof Lieu

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Clara Lieu was an Adjunct Professor at the Rhode Island School of Design from 2007-2020. Her artwork has been exhibited at the International Print Center NY, the Currier Museum, Childs Gallery, the Davis Museum, and more. Lieu received an artist fellowship from the MA Cultural Council, has written for the NY Times, and lectured at Brown University, the NAEA conference, and in Vancouver & China. She has been profiled in Artsy, Hyperallergic, KPCC, & WBUR.

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[lindyashford]

I love that you highlight without actually saying it that negative space can mean space of any colour, not just white, because a lot of people just use white or unpainted or drawn on areas as their negative. You already show it can be so much more.

Having said that, my favourite negative space user is the graphic novel artist Sergio Toppi.

[estherljonesdotcomartist]

We are taught in art class from early on to use all the page... Take up all the space. But then they don't mention that negative space can be part of what uses up that space.

[MrLarrythehacker]

I remember during portfolio day I had several pieces that had this amount of negative space that you're showing here. Several schools that I went to said that the composition felt too blank, too empty, and that I needed to find a way to fill it in in order for them to be strong pieces.

When I applied to art school I used some of those same pieces without changing the composition. I wonder when I got rejected by some schools if that had anything to do with it.

[jttigera]

I love how you share your own learning process and realizations. It's humble and engaging and a good example for all of us

[maiher]

I think negative spaces were regularly utilize in ancient Eastern Asian artwork.

[Kirby]

Love listening 2 u professor, thanks for sharing! I could also utilize negative space a lot more in my own work I’m taking this vid as an excuse to be brave with it

[leonardopadua]

You are definitely talented, start to take advantage of that resource you will definitely feel the impact

[katib]

this was a really good explanation and examples! thank you!

[tedasnan]

I totally agree with you! The same thing crossed my mind when I was looking back at my artwork. I'm usually more concerned with things like the Golden Ratio and all that. Hmmm... something to ponder over

[SpectrumOfChange]

I love that movie posters is what made you notice this, its just an unexpected place, but they really have to pop.

[melaniesallis]

Yes! Do da neg space thang! I looove negative space. Especially when I need to take a break from details in an art project. I just glide over to negative space for a bit then get back to the other areas I working on .

[davidgordon]

making negative space a positive place©

[FoenyxFeather]

Thankyou for reminding me of this technique ❤🎉😊

[redringrico]

Negative space gets a lot easier to deal with imo once you graduate from the fundamentals and start working with it as subject/ground

[BBoyBFit]

Enjoy your adventure in negative space. What popped in my head was an astronaut floating in negative space with the earth reflecting through the helmet.😮

[junemordy]

Floral design is a beautiful way to use negative space.

[jensinestickley]

Saaaame. I always start out with it, but then chicken out and go crazy maximalist and ruin the composition.

[emmaflores]

I've head so many people on here through the years basically bash on negative space and I never understand why they hate ot so much 😭

[jeannineparisi]

So what’s the difference in empty space, and negative space?

[jeannineparisi]

I thought you advised people to crop out that space in their art?