Negative Figure Painting
The relationship between an outline and background in a picture is fascinating!
Did you know that our brain cannot perceive the figure and the background together? Our eyes can focus only on the positive space (figure) or on the negative space (background). Not both!
The figure and background, appear in the perception domain at the same time, however they can’t be perceived together. To experience this contradiction we will develop a very special painting.
Directions:
- First copy the silhouette of a figure on a drawing sheet, with a light pencil mark.
- Then paint the background of the figure as if it were an abstract painting. (Don't paint within the figure picture and focus on the abstract forms.) Needed:
- figures’ silhouette
- drawing sheet
- pencil and eraser
- acrylic paint and paintbrush