positive space
Subject, not background
Positive space is the area in a visual composition occupied by the main subject or objects, as opposed to the empty areas around them.
In a portrait, the figure is positive space; the background is negative space.
Artists and designers manipulate the relationship between positive and negative space to create balance, emphasis, and visual interest: The sculpture's positive space feels heavy against the open gallery.
- figureOutline or numeral
- formShape or document
- objectTangible entity or aim
- shapeExternal outline of something
- solidFirm matter state
mass · subject · foreground · picture plane · composition · art theory · design elements · volume · sculpture · silhouette · presence · occupied · filled · matter · density · body · physical presence · substance
- artfine art, Renaissance, painters, masterpieces, paint
- graphic designlogo, font, typography, layout, color
- compositionbalance, symmetry, asymmetry, proportion, layout
- art elementsline, shape, color, value, form
- spatial drawingperspective, depth, foreground, background, middle ground
- visual formshape, form, line, contour, outline
positive spacenegative space
Empty area around forms
empty space · ground · white space · background · void
positive, space, positively, positivity, positiveness, position, posit, posited, positing