How to Create Negative Shapes for More Vibrant Paintings

Apr 20, 2026

Some artists are intimidated by our medium because of the negative painting required to paint watercolor scenes. It can feel counterintuitive at first and take some getting used to.

So let's explore what negative painting is, some tips to make it more accessible, and study how I used negative painting in a recent painting.

What is Negative Painting?

When I refer to negative painting, what I mean is the act of creating a shape by painting around it. You're defining or preserving a subject by painting around it rather than on it.

Why Watercolor Artists Must Embrace Negative Shapes

Unlike acrylics or oils, when you're painting with watercolors you can't lay white or very light values over dark values. Sure, you can use some gouache for little highlights here and there, but if you want the full spectrum of values, you've got to use a different strategy than oil or acrylic painters.

With watercolor, we layer different washes on top of each other to create shapes, starting with the lightest values and moving gradually to the darkest values. Whether you're preserving whites or those lighter values as you layer, you will find many occasions that require you to paint negatively.