Explore our technique

Negative painting is a technique where you paint the area around the subject, rather than directly on the subject itself. This approach helps define the positive space (the subject) by painting the negative space (the surrounding area). It can add depth and dimension to paintings, and it challenges the artist to focus on the shapes and spaces surrounding the subject. 

Here's a more detailed explanation

• • Painting around the subject:

    Instead of directly painting the object you want to depict, you paint the background or surrounding areas, leaving the subject's shape as a lighter or clearer space. 

     

• Defining the positive space:

  By painting the negative space, the subject's shape is naturally defined by the contrast between the painted area and the unpainted area. 

   

• Adding depth and dimension:

  The layering of colors and glazes in negative painting can create depth and a sense of form in the painting. 

   

• Shifting perspective:

  Negative painting encourages artists to focus on the shapes and spaces between elements, rather than just the elements themselves. 

   

• Requires transparent or translucent paints:

  Because you're building up layers of paint around the subject, using paints that allow some transparency is crucial to avoid muddying the colors. 

   

• Examples:

  You might paint a dark background, leaving the shape of a tree or flower as a lighter space within it. You could also paint around a subject, creating a sense of depth and dimension by layering different colors and values.