Negative Space
August 5th, 2005

From Robert Genn:

In the early stages of a composition these positive forms–in realistic work they are often foreground objects–can be juggled and juxtaposed with an eye to the potential shapes and “holes” that form around them. This requires what I call “one-two thinking”–the ability to think ahead to further moves that might happen later in the game. Watching some painters, particularly beginning painters, it’s this one-two thinking that is most frequently lacking. Simply stated, one-two thinking permits creators to make plans for where lights or darks might later be spotted through foliage, furniture, figuration, or some other veil.