Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Positive & Negative Shapes

My focus these past few days has been on studying positive and negative shapes.













Stephen Quiller's book "Watermedia Painting" includes a special exercise to help teach one to see more abstractly.   He  suggests painting 1/2 hr. each day for two weeks the shapes that surround common objects found in your home.   For example chairs, teapots, plants, etc.   It is a way to show how these spaces are important in defining the positive ones.  

As I worked on teaching my eyes to see those odd shapes that surround an object I found myself correlating it to a page of life.   Often times we believe that the not so good situations or the unexciting ones keep us from reaching our dreams.    When we take time to look we come to see those quiet  days, weeks and even years were formulating a lovely backdrop.  They were necessary for what was truly meaningful.   It is as if what we considered negative was busy creating something positive.   Seems like it takes both to make a great painting and also a great life.

May all of you find those negative shapes forming positives in your art and in your lives.   God Bless!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."   Romans 8:28 (NIV)    


24 comments:

  1. Hi Debbie, what a great post. Yes, there must be negative to balance the positive but we don't have to let the negative rule our lives. We are getting another 12 inches of snow (a negative) but there will be such pretty pictures to take when it is over (a positive). Praying for safety during this storm for family, friends, neighbors, and all. Wishing you a beautiful day!

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  2. Your inspiring me to want to draw again .

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  3. Debbie, you made me wish I could draw. I am so enjoying the fruit of your efforts. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  4. Working in negative shapes feels like magic,doesn't it? Seeing your drawings makes me want to pick up my pencil too!

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  5. Good post.
    Its not easy when things go bad, "Maybe this isn't bad." I like the view you give from a drawing perspective.

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  6. Interesting post Debbie. I strongly believe in positivity and that the choices we make in life and how we cope with the negatives determines our path, even on paper. I do work with negative and tonal shapes but I do so only as positive art terms. We have been given life to live and not to dwell on the negatives. For me dwelling on them too much affects my positivity and outlook on life. Wow that was deep. Thanks for the thought provoking post. ;-)

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  7. oh yes, negative shapes, good practice :-D

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  8. Beautiful art work-and boy do I agree with what you said. It has been a rough winter here-I think spiritually as well as physically for me. But now I can look back at some things and say-wow! I am really much better now for having gone through that!

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  9. I have always wanted to learn to draw so I looked into some classes, hopefully next month. Your work is beautiful!

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  10. What a beautiful life lesson, as well as drawing lesson, Debbie. It as though you are speaking directly to my heart in this post. Thank you too for the Max Lucado book. As you might imagine, it arrived on Monday right after I got the news about M's job. I dived right in. As always, your art work is always beautiful; a gorgeous portrait of your cat!

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  11. I love what you said, sometimes there is a bigger picture that we may not understand. Thanks for the uplifting words that you write here.
    Great pencil sketches, it looks like you have been busy this winter :)

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  12. Inspiring words my dear! A bit of negative makes the positive seem even more delightful!

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  13. The negative makes us appreciate the positive. You have a good insight into things and always inspire me artfully. :)

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  14. I love this post! Thank you for posting your thoughts Debbie. You are so right about sometimes not understanding why we are learning certain skills....all a backdrop for something greater....just like faith and how God works.

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  15. It's really hard for me to understand the concept of negative space in art. It looks so difficult. But you make it look so easy.

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  16. I totally agree with you , everything is experience and whether it is good or bad it makes us what we are. Drawing in negative isn't easy but your drawings are excellent . xx

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  17. Your drawings are exceptional! I love exercises like this,especially great for the brain.
    I couldn't agree more with the beautiful quote in the end.Without faith in God, it's difficult to find acceptance in situations and weather out the storms.
    Have a wonderful day, Deb!

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  18. I like this viewpoint of the negative and life. It explains so well what I found about the negative areas in art. The negative area IS as positive as the positive. It is all positive. Each shape should be thought of as positive. Only then does the art flow.
    Your drawings are as lovely as you are, dear and special Debbie.

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  19. Outstanding, Deb!!! really fine work!

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  20. What a great lesson about the positives and negatives - in our art and in our lives :)

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  21. Nice sketches! You are right that in life the negative spaces are as important as the positive ones. They join to make the total picture of our lives. Enjoy your day!

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  22. I know what you mean--all the shapes of our lives fit together, eventually, to make a masterpiece. We can't always see the final product in our mind's eye. Nice life lesson takeaway from an art concept :).

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  23. A very positive post Debbie! There is always a lesson to learn from studying life. Love your Simon drawing! Have a beautiful Sunday! Hugs

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