Tip: Think Positive - Paint Negative

"In This New Light" by Linda Kemp (watercolor)

I rediscovered an interesting watercolor book on my bookshelf the other night, a book about negative painting. Negative painting (negative space or sculpted whites) means that rather than painting the object itself, the painter creates its shape by painting around it. Ancient cave paintings of hands may come to mind when you think of describing negative shape. Actually, I realized I've already done some attempts at negative painting and thought I was just playing around with the pigment. Here's an example:

"I have learned that creativity isn't about inventing unusual or eccentric ways of applying paint, but rather more about finding my own way of seeing and visualizing, and working toward developing a clear, honest voice with which to express my ideas." (From Watercolor Painting Outside The Lines by Linda Kemp)

Connie