This is an exercise emphasizing looking at the space around an object to help draw the object correctly.

OBJECTIVES
Correct a drawing by focusing on the negative space.
Draw objects in correct proportion.
Become more aware of positive and negative space and shapes.
Create well balanced, interesting compositions with flat shapes.
Create a drawing where the black and white balance is about 50% of each color.

MATERIALS
White paper
3b conte
chamois erasers

SETUP
Still life of chairs, stools, bed rails, plants, and some solid objects - objects with openings - simple lines and shapes.

DRAWING PROCESS
Begin with gesture drawing.
Correct the drawing by looking at the negative shapes.
Be aware of the composition and the negative shapes.
Create an interesting composition by varying the size and qualities of the shapes.
Avoid too heavy a composition by having about equal amounts of black and white shapes.
Use your eraser and charcoal to correct the drawing.
When satisfied with the drawing, fill in the shapes of the objects with 100% solid black.
Erase all smudges.
Objects should break the edges of the picture plane on at least 3 sides.

GRADING: 10 points
Your grade will be based on how well you fulfill the following criteria:
Create a balanced and interesting composition where both the positive and negative shapes are interesting.
Objects break the edges of the picture plane on at least 3 sides.
Objects are in correct proportion.
Drawing has good craftsmanship: black areas are dark solid black, white areas are clean, edges of the paper are not torn. Trace your drawing to a clean piece of paper if necessary.

LECTURE: DESIGN AND COMPOSITION
Slide lecture includes works by Degas, Kollwitz, Seurat, Picasso, David, and Goya. Focus is on how to design an interesting, well composed drawing: create balance, emphasis and subordination, a center of interest, and move the viewer's eye around the page.

Design elements:
point
line
shape
mass (volume)
space - real and implied
time and motion
light (implied: modeling or real)
color
texture - real and implied -e.g. real: paper texture; implied: visual texture