Students discussed the principles of positive and negative space before beginning this design project.  (Positive space is the subject matter of an artwork.  Negative space is the area surrounding the subject matter.) Each artist used the letters of his or her name to create 5 thumbnail sketches.  The artists practiced making balanced designs with equal amounts of positive and negative space.  The most effective compositions were chosen for final projects.  Patterns were added to the positive spaces, and the designs were completed in marker or oil pastels.