Creative Awareness

Lecture 4
Dr.Nivin Elrefaey
 The elements of art

The Elements of Art are the “tools” that artists use to make art.
They are the basic “foundation” of a good composition
Space
Actual space is a three-dimensional volume that can be empty or filled with
objects
It has height, width, and depth.
 Space
• Actual space is a three-dimensional volume that
can be empty or filled with objects. It has height,
width, and depth.

• Space that appears three-dimensional in a

painting is an illusion that creates a feeling of
actual depth.

• Various techniques can be used to show such

visual depth or space.
 Space that appears three-dimensional in a
painting is an illusion that creates a feeling
of actual depth

An artist painted this snow scene in New York City with careful attention
to the feeling of space. The artist uses several basic techniques to show
space: perspective, values, overlapping, and size of shapes.
 Space
Space can be shallow or deep depending on
what the artist wants to use. Shallow space
is used when the artist has objects very
close to the viewer.
 Space
• Space can also be the area provided for a
particular purpose. It may have two dimensions
(length and width), or it may have three
dimensions (length, width, and height).

• Space includes the background, foreground and

middle ground.

• Space refers to the distances or areas around,

between or within components of a piece.
 Space
Deep Space
may show
objects up
close but
objects are
shown far
away
too.
There are two types of space:
positive and negative space.
Positive and Negative Space
Positive space refers to the space of a
shape representing the subject matter.

Negative space refers to the space

around and between the subject
matter.
 Space
Positive space is the
actual object(s) within
the artwork
Negative Space is the
area in and around the
objects. It is the
“background” and it
contributes to the
work of art---you can’t
have positive space
without negative space
The image of a person riding a bicycle is created by the outside shape of the
missing piece of the sculpture. We see the empty space as a very clear image
of a bicyclist because of the space which is occupied by the piece of the
sculpture which is present in contrast to the empty bicyclist shaped space.
The space between these two hedges is given shape by outline of the form which
each hedge takes.
This two-part Andy Goldsworthy sculpture is an example of form
and space. The egg form on the left appears to be the perfect
opposite
 Space
Perspective is also a way of showing space in a work
of art. Perspective is when the artist uses a
vanishing point on the horizon and then creates a
sense of deep space by showing objects getting
progressively smaller as they get closer to the
vanishing point.
Liner perspective
Perspective

o Representing 3D objects on 2D surface

o Linear or atmospheric/aerial
o Adds interest
o Achieved by relative size of objects,
overlapping objects, blurring or
sharpening of objects, lines meeting at
a point.
Perspective
 Perspective

Version A Unit 10 ©2008 Napier University

 Perspective

Version A Unit 10 ©2008 Napier University

Colored Perspective

o Or Atmospheric perspective- how the appearance of an object is

affected by looking through air.
Atmospheric (Colored) Perspective

o Distant objects lose information

• less contrast with their surroundings.
• less bright colours (become blue grey)
• less clarity - fuzzy edges
• smaller
Open space
Open Space
Open space to be filled
High Ceiling – Feels Spacious
Color divides space
Faux wall divides space
Counter/Sofa divide space
Furniture divides space
Space filled?
Space filled?
Space filled?
End of lecture 4