Element of Art - Negative space vs. Positive space

Definition:

Negative space is the space between objects or the parts of an object, for example the area between a cup and its handle. Also the space between an object and the edges of the canvas, i.e. the space around an object. The opposite of negative space is positive space.

Definition:

Positive space is the area or part of a painting's composition that the subject occupies. For instance, the positive space could be a vase of flowers in a still life painting, a person's face in a portrait, the trees and hills of a landscape painting. The area around the positive space is called the negative space.


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