This workshop, led by artist Eva Šuhájková, focuses on negative space and how knowledge of it can better our ability to construct compositions, both figurative and abstract. Artists are traditionally trained to see forms in nature without fully appreciating the spaces that connect them. Negative space is the shape between the objects we think we know. This two hour session gets us to actively question our perceptions of the natural world and how we translate it into artistic construction. Through discussion and a series of drawing exercises we will learn how studying negative space helps us see differently, how it shifts our state of mind when we make art and how can it enhance our appreciation of abstraction.

This workshop is part of a series of artist-led workshops hosted by the Bridget Riley Art Foundation at the British Museum. The Bridget Riley Art Foundation at the British Museum began in 2014 with the purpose of encouraging practicing artists and art students to draw directly from the Museum's Collection of Prints and Drawings. This series of workshops invites those who draw and those interested in drawing to be led through an artist curated, designed and facilitated drawing workshop based in the heart of the Prints and Drawings Collection.

Image detail: Paul Klee, Weib und Tier (1904)

Please read the following terms and conditions before booking the workshop.

1. All drawing abilities are welcome. However, this workshop is not recommended for absolute beginners. Please be advised: you will not be taught how to draw in this workshop. Instead, you will be worked through a series of drawing exercises that will help to develop your drawing in new directions.

2. The workshop is most suitable for people aged 16 and older. People under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, who must also book a ticket. Some artworks contain adult themes, nudity and philosophical issues related to life and death.

3. No later-comers will be admitted. Due to the nature of the workshop location and staffing we must enter the space as a group. You must arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the start of the workshop for check-in. The workshop will start promptly at the designated start time. You will be sent directions to the meeting point at least 24 hours before the day of the workshop.

4. Only people with tickets will be admitted on the day.

5. Due to the sensitive nature of the art material, no water, liquid media, coats, bags, photography/filming are allowed in the workshop space.

6. Participants are expected to adhere to the visitor regulations of the British Museum. These regulations can be found by clicking here.

7. We reserve the right to turn people away if they do not adhere to the terms and conditions outlined in the above points.

8. Access: please let us know at the time of your booking if you have any access needs.