Positive and Negative Shapes

Space is one of the Elements of Art. Now, this is not the space where the planets are--it refers to the space in a work of art, and how it's organized. There are two kinds of space: positive and negative space. Positive space is the main subject of the artwork. Negative space is the area around the subject. In a sculpture, the positive space is the sculpture, and the negative space is the air around the sculpture.

Our second graders have demonstrated their knowledge of positive and negative space with shapes. They cut a shape out of one square of paper and glued it onto another square. This is the positive space. Then, they glued their negative space to another square. Check them out!

Marleigh C., Jacob F., Kara F.

Tucker H., Ana W., Emma T.

Sophia C., Kate K., Davis S.