Space

=ART LESSON: SPACE=
 * Space **

GRADE LEVEL: Early and Middle Years

LESSON TOPIC: Space Assignment – Positive and Negative Space

CONNECTION TO LAST LESSON: Space is the next important element of art, because textures are seen and created with space. Forms and subjects of a visual composition need space to exist in foreground, mid-ground, and background. The students’ visual environment surrounds the forms and subject matter in an art composition.

LEARNING OUTCOMES / OBJECTIVES: – Students will develop an appreciation, sensitivity, and awareness of space in art compositions and in our environment. – Space is an important element of art. The illusion of space surrounding the shapes, forms, and subjects of a composition makes the illusion believable and the viewer’s interest is piqued. – Students will learn how positive and negative space work together in a composition. – They will produce positive and negative space compositions.

VISUAL RESOURCES: – Magazine photo examples of positive and negative spaces in our environment – Commercial advertisements that include positive and negative space (e.g., silhouettes) – Previous students’ positive and negative space compositions <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Search Internet sites for artists’ examples of silhouettes, and videos and handouts on creating positive and negative space in art. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Figures #21, #22, #23, and #24 are examples of designs based on positive and negative space.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">OTHER LEARNING MATERIALS: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– 12” x 18” white paper <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– 12” x 18” coloured construction paper (could also be scraps) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– HD pencils (for tracing the designs) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Glue sticks and scissors <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Light table or windows (for tracing the designs) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Black ink and brush and pens

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">ACTIVATING STRATEGIES: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– The concept of positive and negative space is difficult for many students, so you will need lots of visual examples. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Start with the photo examples that you have already selected because of their clarity of positive and negative space – e.g., the silhouettes. In a silhouette, the black shape is positive, and the white background is negative. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Discuss real-life examples of positive forms – wheels, chairs, or any object that would create a 50/50 balance of positive and negative space in a photograph or drawing.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">ACQUIRING STRATEGIES: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Explain to the students that positive forms are the objects that comprise the subject matter of most paintings and drawings. The negative space is the background that the objects are located in: sky, fields, water, etc. Thus, negative space is defined by the positive forms in a composition. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Show students Figures #21 and #23. Help them to determine which portions of each design are positive and negative. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Then show students Figures #22 and #24. These are the negative space designs created by the coloured paper designs in Figures #21 and #23. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Then ask students which designs they prefer: positive (Figures #21 and #23) or negative (Figures #22 and #24). The negative space designs are often more aesthetically pleasing, although the negative space is not usually considered part of the composition. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Discuss the 50/50 balance in these coloured-paper positive space designs and black-ink negative space designs. Then show students examples of designs that are not balanced in terms of positive and negative space. Which do they prefer? <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Show students the other visual resources. Ask them to identify the geometric and organic forms. Explain that a combination of geometric and organic forms is more aesthetically pleasing, such as in an architect’s drawing of a house (geometric) surrounded by trees and shrubs (organic).

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">APPLYING STRATEGIES: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– This lesson’s project is most effective when a 50/50 balance is achieved between positive and negative space, such as in Figures #21-22, and #23-24.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– First, the students use coloured construction paper to produce a positive space composition on white background. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – Ask the students to cut a variety of thin shapes out of coloured construction paper. Tell them to use a <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> combination of geometric and organic shapes, in light and dark colours. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – Then have the students arrange the strips in interesting designs on white paper – aim for a 50/50 balance. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – These creative shapes are simple positive forms, and the white background is negative space. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – Check each student’s design before the student glues the coloured construction forms in place. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – After the project is glued, a quick-and-easy check to see if the design has good 50/50 balance is to hold it up to <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> the light and check the shadowed areas on the back. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Second, the students will use their coloured compositions as the basis for creating negative space compositions. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – Tell them to take another piece of white paper and trace the design out on a light table, or tape the design to a <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> window in order to trace it. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – When the design has been traced, have the students use ink to blacken the areas of negative space. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – This changes the negative space to positive, and students can see the importance that negative space plays in <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> an art composition.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">REFLECTING / RE-FOCUSING STRATEGIES: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– The background of any composition is just as important as the positive subject matter. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– The balance between positive and negative space, and their relationship, hold the viewer’s interest and excitement. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Help the students to identify their composition shapes as geometric or organic – or a mixture. The use of contrasting organic and geometric shapes will enhance the viewer’s interest in the composition. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Students could try the same idea but starting with a negative space drawing, as long as the 50/50 balance is present and the forms do not have a lot of volume. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Create a negative space still-life from a variety of shapes, to show the negative space that is defined by real-life forms.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">ASSESSMENT / ANALYSE LEARNING OUTCOMES: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Students will show evidence that they have followed the instructions for their compositions: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – a variety of values (light and dark) define the objects in the composition <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – there is a combination of geometric and organic shapes <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – the page is filled and has a common pattern <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – the composition is a 50/50 design <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – the composition of positive and negative space is aesthetically interesting and pleasing <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Students should show that they understand and appreciate the relationship between positive and negative space. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Students should show an understanding that the 50/50 relationship between positive and negative space is important. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Figure 21 50/50 Negative Space Design <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Figure 22 Negative Space Design in Ink <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Figure 23 50/50 Positive and Negative Space Design <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Figure 24 50/50 Positive and Negative Space in Ink

= = =ART LESSON: STENCILS= <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">GRADE LEVEL: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Early and Middle Years

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">LESSON TOPIC: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Space Assignment – Introduction to Stencil Techniques

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">CONNECTION TO LAST LESSON: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">This is another project experimenting with positive and negative space and colour combinations.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">LEARNING OUTCOMES / OBJECTIVES: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Students will develop a greater appreciation, sensitivity, and awareness of positive and negative shapes in our environment. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Students will learn to see objects in a different perspective. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Through creative positive and negative shapes, students will use stencils as an art medium.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">VISUAL RESOURCES: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Magazine photo examples of objects and other positive and negative shapes in our environment <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Previous students’ examples of stencils, and prints made from stencils <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Search Internet sites for artist examples of stencils used in art-works, and for videos and handouts on creating and using stencils. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Figure #25 is an example of a stencil. Figure #26 is a print made from that stencil. Figure #27 is a composition that uses pastels and two different stencils.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">OTHER LEARNING MATERIALS: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– 12” x 18” white paper <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Variety of pencils (HD for hard lines and soft leads for softer lines) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Used file folders or light cardboard paper for stencil material <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Sponges and paint brushes <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Tempera or acrylic paint <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Variety of positive and negative shape examples <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Scissors and exacto-knives <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Examples of stencils <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Examples of stencil printing – T-shirt designs, advertising logos, posters, etc. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Air brushes (optional)

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">ACTIVATING STRATEGIES: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Show students some of the visual resources that use stencils. Ask them, “How do you think the artists created these designs?” Most students will have experience in using stencils of some kind. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Show students some actual stencils. Discuss the durability of these items, based on the materials that they are made of. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– A visit to a local screen-printing business would be an exciting field trip. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Stencils are used commercially with an air brush. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Technology has made several advances in light-sensitive materials for doing complicated images.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">ACQUIRING STRATEGIES: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Brainstorm and review positive and negative space, and 50/50 balance. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Show how Figure #25 is a stencil example of a stylized bear. Figure #26 is a print of the bear stencil using a sponge technique. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Demonstrate some very basic stencil ideas. Cut simple patterns out of file folders. Then make prints by dabbing paint with sponges or brushes. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Show how drawn images that can be photocopied can be easily transferred onto screens for stencil printing. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Demonstrate the technique using oil pastels and two stencils, Figure #27 is a basic example of this technique.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">APPLYING STRATEGIES: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Students will cut out stencils in a variety of shapes out of old file folders. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Then, by using sponges dipped in paint, the students will dab the paint onto another piece of paper through the stencil. – The stencil may be moved around, and other colours may also be used. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– The aim for 50/50 balance is desirable, but not necessary. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Other more complicated stencil ideas may be introduced if students show interest.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">REFLECTING / RE-FOCUSING STRATEGIES: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Combinations of coloured backgrounds can give another colour dimension to printing. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– By using the positive cut-out forms, students may print negative images as well. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Sharing stencils can develop new combinations for students to work with. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Lots of possibilities exist for creating more designs, such as using multiple stencils in the same design. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">ASSESSMENT / ANALYSE LEARNING OUTCOMES: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Students will show evidence that they have followed the instructions given to make personalized stencils and designs: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – the prints will demonstrate a variety of ideas in designs or patterns <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – the entire page is filled <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> – stencil shapes give a sense of unity within the patterns <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">– Student’s art-work will demonstrate that they have explored a variety of shape combinations using different lines and forms, and incorporating various postitive and negative space designs.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Figure 25 Stencil Figure 26 Print

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Figure 27 Stencil Design with Pastels