Negative Space

Negative space is something that I have never been able to grasp. The concept is very simple, but my brain just doesn't seem to understand it.

Negative space [in art] is the space between objects or the parts of an object, for example the area between a cup and its handle. Also the space between an object and the edges of the canvas, i.e. the space around an object. (Actual definition from http://painting.about.com/cs/paintingknowhow/g/negativespace.htm)


The object itself is the positive space so the negative space is outer part, right?

Does that mean that the negative space is supposed to be a specific color, black or white?

These are the questions that make my head so confused. :S

However I did learn to focus on the negative space rather than the positive. This way it will make the image more focused and more balanced.

But don't you get the same image if you focused on the positive?

Apparently you don't. When we concentrate on the unfamiliar we forget to look at all these fine details that aren't as important the outline itself, or the way that the object is positioned, which makes the picture look way more realistic. But the best way for you to get really good pictures is to PRACTICE!!! =)

I learned that sometimes when we draw something, and it doesn't come out as it should, we try to make it better but that doesn't happen because we focus more on what we think it looks like, but not how it looks in reality.
And for that we should concentrate more on the stuff that shouldn't be there instead of the stuff that should.

When you're designing a website, it's much better to put a lot of negative space into the site then to crowd it and hurt your readers' eyes.

When you are making a logo, it is so much more easier and less expensive to put a bunch of negative space into it. That way it will look prefessional, refined, and not as if a five year old made it with crayons.

In print design, negative space is more commonly known as "white space." Although it is called white space, it doesn't have to be literally white. It can be aby color you want, but you have to leave it empty. Complete and utterly empty.

OMG! I think some of this has finally sunk into my brain. I sorta get it now. =D