On Trend- Negative Space

What exactly is negative space, and how does it apply to a card or  scrapbook page you ask? Well, according to Wikepedia:

 Negative space, in art, is the space around and between the subject(s) of an image. Negative space may be most evident when the space around a subject, and not the subject itself, forms an interesting or artistically relevant shape, and such space is occasionally used to artistic effect as the "real" subject of an image. The use of negative space is a key element of artistic composition. 

Our designers have done a fantastic job of showing just how you can use the negative space created using punches and die cut techniques as well as how to focus on the negative space around the main subject itself (aka whitespace).

Practical Scrapper Mary Pat Siehl

used negative space cut from the blue paper to create chevron arrows and as part of her title.

Practical Scrapper Marcia Dehn-Nix
created a fun effect using a star punch on her base white cardstock.

Practical Scrapper Nicole Laha

created negative space by leaving the background blank and without texture.

Practical Scrapper Malika Kelly
loves using her Cameo to cut out letters and then using the leftover piece (the negative) as part of her title or journaling.


Practical Scrapper Audrey Yeager
 cut some snowflakes from chipboard for a project a long time ago and saved the negatives to use on a project.  she used it as a stencil first, to create the snowflakes on the bottom left of the page.

 Practical Scrapper Wendi Robinson
 used negative space made by her star and circle punches, she then used the punch shapes as embellishements through out the layout. Doodling inside the negative space, she added some depth.
Based on Creative Scrappers sketch #242

So whether you're looking for a new technique to play with on your projects, or just looking to focus on balancing the empty spaces around your subject, try playing with concepts of negative space and find out what you're "missing".

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