TWO-DIMENSIONAL

DESIGN

Positive and Negative Space

Space is an Element of Art created simply by drawing an object on a page.

Positive space is filled by an object or element.Negative space surrounds the positive space.

Types of Space

Decorative or Shallow Space Decorative: has little to no

depth Shallow: Confined, limited

space in an artwork

Plastic or Deep/Infinite Space Plastic: has a 3D feel by

creating a sense of depth far beyond the picture frame

Deep/Infinite: feels limitless

The Gestalt Principles of Perception

Gestalt is a psychology term which means "unified whole.”It refers to theories of visual perception developed by

German psychologists in the 1920s that attempt to describe how people organize visual elements into groups or unified wholes when certain principles are applied. These principles are:

Figure/Ground Relationships Similarity Proximity Closure Continuity Area

Figure/Ground Relationships

The pictorial relationship between positive and negative spaces in an art work. Helps the viewer identify the figure (or foreground) from the background.

Similarity

Viewers tend to group together objects that share the same characteristics such as shape, size, color, texture, and value An object can be

emphasized if it is dissimilar to the others. This is called anomaly (see example to the right)

Proximity

Occurs when elements are placed close together. They tend to be perceived as a group. The nine squares above are

placed without proximity. They are perceived as separate shapes.

When the squares are given close proximity, unity occurs. While they continue to be separate shapes, they are now perceived as one group.

Closure

The idea that the brain will fill in any extraneous information which is not present in the image.

Occurs when an object is incomplete or a space is not completely enclosed

Continuity

The idea that the eye will continue to look in a direction in which it is pushed by the forms and shapes present.

Area

The smaller of 2 overlapping objects is seen as the foreground. The larger is seen as the background.

You likely see the smaller squares as the foreground in both cases.

Spatial Indicators

The following strategies allow an artist to manipulate the viewer’s perception of space in an artwork: Size Sharpness Location / Placement Overlapping Interpenetration Converging Parallels (linear perspective)

Size

As objects move back in space, they appear to get smaller

Sharpness

As objects move back in space, they appear to get softer, or blurry (out of focus) This effect is also commonly referred to as

atmospheric perspective

Location / Placement

As objects move up the picture plane they appear to recede, or, as objects move towards the horizon they appear to recede

Overlapping

Objects in front will block objects behind Overlap will trump (override) the other

indicators, so keep that in mind!

Interpenetration

When one object passes through another and emerges on the other side

Converging Parallels

Opposite edges will move towards each other; converging lines often indicate the angle of view This is really just linear perspective!!!

PORTRAITURE

Portrait- a likeness of a person, especially of the face, as a painting, drawing, or photograph. Usually depicts the person from the shoulders-up

3 Main Views:

Portraits

Ancient Times – Renaissance Period Idealized or religious

portraits

Renaissance Period – Baroque Period More realistic;

captured moments in one’s life

History of Portraiture

Baroque Period - Flemish and German

masters like Van Dyke developed the three-quarter and frontal portrait types

Baroque Period – 20th Century Self-portraiture became

popularized by Rembrandt, who created 80+ self-portraits throughout his life; Artists like Van Gogh followed

History of Portraiture

Anthony van DyckRembrandt (created 80+ self-portraits!)Thomas SullyVincent Van GoghMary CassattAlice BaillyRene MagritteAndy WarholChuck Close

Notable Portrait Artists

Facial Proportions

Rendering a Portrait

Consider your light source. The bone structure of the face reflects light (cheek bones, nose, chin), leaving shadows in the eye sockets, nostrils, under the lower lip, and on the neck.

Faces are rounded forms with smooth textures. Therefore, you should render with transitional value shading if you are going for realism

WATERCOLORS

What are they? Water soluble paint

packaged in tubes or dry to semi-moist cakes

Semi-Permanent Pros: Easy clean-up,

low odor, accessible / cheap, non-toxic

Color Medium- Watercolors

Masking- block out areas of the paper with frisket, thereby retaining the white of the paper

Wash- filling in the background by wetting the paper and then painting

Review- Techniques

Glazing- layering colors on top of one-another to build up depth and modify color; bottom layers must be dry before glazing

Underpainting- using Paynes Gray to add shadows, then glazing over that layer with color

Review- Techniques

Dripping / Bleeding- like wet-on-wet; creates abstract and expressive effects

Blowing- usually done with a straw; enables interesting color blending

Expressive Watercolor Techniques

Spraying- creating a misting effect, like with a spray bottle

Splattering- flinging paint at the canvas with a brush to create small splatters

Expressive Watercolor Techniques