Positive and Negative Shapes: Essential Guide

What Are Positive and Negative Shapes?

• Positive Shape:
  The main subjects, forms, or objects in your artwork. Think of the tree in a landscape, the figure in a portrait, or the vase in a still life. 

• Negative Shape (Negative Space):
  The spaces around and between those main subjects. Negative shapes are not just “background”—they are active areas that define, support, and enhance the positive shapes.

“A good composition is not just what you add—it’s also what you don’t add.” 

Before You Begin

For a deeper understanding, be sure to review my earlier posts: SHAPE: A Foundational Guide (June 19, 2025) and FORMAT: The Frame You Choose Matters (September 4, 2025).

I began exploring this topic in an earlier post on Shape, where I covered key points about positive and negative space and included several sample works. I also took a deeper look at Kara Walker’s Exodus of Confederates from Atlanta as as a striking example of how she used interplay between positive and negative shapes to create layered complexity.

I’ll continue to expand on this subject in future posts—each time highlighting different aspects of shape through new artworks and exercises. Stay tuned!

Why Positive and Negative Shapes Matter

Positive and negative shapes are foundational not only for constructing powerful compositions, but also for revealing how we perceive, balance, and “read” visual stories. 

These shapes are at the core of every artwork and influence how energy, focus, and movement are created on the page or canvas.

Positive/Negative Shape vs. Space

In simple terms, positive shapes and spaces refer to the solid objects or subjects of focus in an artwork, while negative shapes and spaces are the background areas surrounding them.

The terms are often used interchangeably, but here is the difference between shape and space.

• Positive/Negative Shape:
  Refers to the flat design of an image—the silhouette or boundary of the objects and spaces.

• Positive/Negative Space:
  Broader, encompassing the relationship between filled and empty areas in both two and three dimensions and can include the illusion of depth, arrangement, or open space.

Why Are Positive & Negative Shapes Important?

• Defining the Subject:
  Negative shapes help positive shapes stand out. By considering both, artists create clear, structured images that communicate more powerfully.
• Composition & Balance:
  The interplay of positive and negative shapes creates harmony, variety, and rhythm in a composition. Too much positive shape can crowd an image, while excessive negative shape can make it feel empty or unresolved.

• Visual Interest & Rhythm:
  Thoughtful use of negative shapes can generate movement, and produce a composition that feels dynamic and unified.

• Figure and Ground Relationships:
  Sometimes, the distinction between positive (figure) and negative (ground) shapes shifts, creating dual images or optical illusions. I will discuss on figure and ground in the future.

Student Work and the Art of the Thumbnail

As I emphasized in the previous post on format, using a physical viewfinder (instead of a smartphone’s cropping tool) is a powerful way to train your eye. I recommend creating a simple, flexible one at home using two L-shaped pieces of stiff paper and two paper clips, as shown. Or you can purchase one that can adjust formats.

*Thumbnail Sketches – small, rough sketches just a few inches wide—used to experiment with layout and composition before committing to a final piece. Thumbnail sketches let you try out many variations quickly and efficiently.

Use your viewfinder and make multiple thumbnails from different angles:

Don’t limit yourself to eye-level.
Walk around the setup and explore multiple viewpoints:
– Stand on a stool and look down
– Sit on the floor and look up
– Move in close for a close up

Changing your perspective can lead to more dynamic compositions and unexpected discoveries.

The goal is to forget what you’re drawing and just see shapes. Ask yourself: What background shapes are interesting?

You don’t need prior knowledge of theory—use your common sense to find a strong visual design.

Now, let’s look at some student work.

These drawings are the result of exploring numerous thumbnail sketches.

As a reminder, please render the negative shapes in a dark, even value, keeping them consistent across the entire composition, regardless of the medium you are working with.

Observe how students’ sample works move beyond outlines, grouping and overlapping objects into unified “chunks” or shapes.

I know it’s difficult at first to ignore the boundaries of individual objects, but keep practicing. That’s exactly why I ask students to focus on negative shapes only—essentially drawing the background, not the objects themselves.

Now, take a look at the two cups in the images above. Which setup creates more compelling negative shapes? Obviously, the one on the left has a boring negative shape. Simply reorganizing objects and choosing the right format can lead to powerful compositions.

Again, pay more attention to the negative shapes.

Below, I’ve included some of my own image examples to demonstrate just how many possibilities of interesting positive and negative shapes can emerge from something as basic as a mug.

Practical Tips

• Train Your Eye: Practice seeing shapes by focusing on what’s between things.
• Use a Viewfinder: Make a simple one with two L-shaped papers and paper clips. It helps you isolate and frame interesting compositions.
• Thumbnail Sketches: Start with small, fast sketches (2-4 inches) to explore variations.
• Observe From New Angles. Change perspective to find compelling shapes.
• Look for the Shape, Not the Object: Forget about what you’re drawing—just search for interesting abstract (negative) shapes. That mindset makes your drawing more visually compelling.

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