- In illustration, you rely on objects, figures and shapes…to tell the story or concept you want to communicate.…They take up a positive space,…and are as seen as the most compelling player in a picture.…But the space between shapes and objects in a composition…is known as negative space.…And plays just as important a role as the positive space.…The negative space is bounded by both…the positive space and your frame or border.…Learning how to design negative space…can help you to lead the viewer's eye around the image,…convey content, and help to balance the composition.…
When looking at an image,…look at the area where the objects are not,…and isolate the shapes that make up the negative space.…Seeing the white space, open sky,…or flat tone as a shape…will help you to design more effectively.…Notice how these shapes are varied in size…and help create contrast for the positive shapes.…The pirates.…Here's an example of a portrait…that has not considered the negative space…and one that has.…The image on the left is static,…
Author
Mary Jane Begin
Released
3/13/2015This course will help to clarify best practices for developing any artistic or illustrated composition. Shaping the elements; marrying concept to composition; engaging the editing eye; achieving balance, unity, directional movement, and perspective; and exploring point of view and focal points are all topics covered in these lessons. Author (and professional artist) Mary Jane Begin also explores the major and minor pitfalls of a weak composition and explains the six compositional rules that lead to the best end results! See the steps in action in the final chapter, where Mary Jane designs a concept for lynda.com.
Then share what you've learned with the lynda.com community. Take the three challenges Mary Jane issues in the course and post your results to Facebook and Twitter, using the hashtag #learnatlynda. We can't wait to see your illustrations!
- Directing with lines
- Designing the negative space
- Creating a consistency of style
- Adding movement with dynamic diagonals, edges, and contrast
- Creating depth of field with perspective
- Using—and breaking—the rules
- Choosing a size and medium for artwork
Skill Level Beginner
Duration
Views
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Introduction
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Welcome1m 22s
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1. Basics of Composition
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Framing your field of view3m 15s
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2. Shaping the Composition
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Seeing in shape2m 27s
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Directing with lines3m 19s
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Composing with text3m 14s
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Solution: Text illustration5m 36s
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3. Creating Compositional Unity
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Bringing it all together2m 20s
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Consistency of style3m 3s
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Unifying light2m 44s
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Combining message and medium3m 25s
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4. Exploring Movement
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Dynamic diagonals2m 1s
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Illustrating storyboards2m 58s
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5. Directing the Eye
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Tracking the viewer's gaze2m 40s
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Contrast and edges3m 20s
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What is your focal point?2m 57s
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Understanding point of view2m 26s
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Avoiding common pitfalls2m 1s
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Solution: Point of view2m 56s
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6. Finalizing the Format
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Does size matter?2m 53s
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Style and substance3m 1s
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The six rules of composition3m 57s
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7. From Concept to Finished Art
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Video: Designing the negative space