Class 2 | Figure Ground

Lecture

The Elements: basic components used as part of any composition, independent of the medium.

  • Point: An element that has position (x,y), but no extension or mass. A series of points forms a line, a mass of points becomes a shape.
    Malevich Black Dot| Seurat La Parade detail | Seurat La Parade du Cirque
  • Line: An series of points, which has length and direction. It can be the connection between two points, the space between shapes, or the path of a moving point. A closed line creates a shape.
    Mondrian | Klee
  • Shape: Created by line (contour) or a grouping of points, it is an area that is separate from other areas, defined by its perimeter.
    Popova    | Gris | Gris
  • REFERENCES:

The Principles: basic assumptions that guide the design practice.

  • Picture Plane: The imaginary plane represented by the physical surface of a two-dimensional image, comparable to the glass through which one sees a view beyond a window. Artists use relative position on the picture plane to create the illusion of space, such as foreground, middleground, background.
    Diagram | In-Depth & Decorative
  • Picture Frame: The outermost limits of the picture plane. This boundary (rectangle, square, circle) is represented by the edges of the paper or the margins drawn within.
  • Figure (positive space): The shape of a form that serves as a subject in a composition.
    Craig Stephens | Matisse
  • Ground (negative space): The space surrounding a positive shape or form; sometimes referred to as ground, empty space, field, or void.
    Matisse | Rubin’s vase
  • Figure/Ground: The relationship between positive and negative space.
    MC Escher | GDBasics
    • Obvious (stable):  A figure/ground relationship that exists when a form stands clearly apart from its background.
    • Reversal: A figure/ground relationship that occurs when positive and negative elements are equal and alternate at foreground and background.
    • Ambiguous: A figure/ground relationship that challenges the viewer to find a point of focus. The figure and ground seem interchangeable.
  • Unity: Refers to the cohesive quality that makes a composition feel complete and finished. Unity gives it the feeling that all the elements relate to each other in a compatible way to form a unified whole.

Lab

  1. Critique of thumbnails (using vocabulary above).
  2. Assignment #1 | A View from My Window | Figure-Ground Relationships: introduction and demonstration
  3. Work in class.

Homework

  1. Complete Assignment #1: Inked Thumbnails. See Assignment page for details.
  2. Materials Needed: 14×17″ Bristol, black paper, scissors, exacto knife, glue, ruler/t-square, pencils, tape.