Get Better Shapes Through Negative Painting with Debbie Miller
How do you decide the order in which you paint things? If you've ever struggled with getting the shapes in your painting just right, you’re not alone. Many artists face this challenge, but Debbie Miller (Ep.15) has a simple solution: paint your backgrounds last. Here’s why this technique can make a huge difference in your work.
Two Chances to Improve Your Shapes
One of the biggest advantages of saving your background for last is that it gives you two opportunities to refine your shapes.
The First Chance – Painting the Object
When Miller paints an object—like a flower—she starts by carefully laying in its shape and color. She pays close attention to how the object looks, making sure the form is as strong as possible.The Second Chance – Refining with the Background
When she paints the background at the end, she can use negative painting to fine-tune the shape even further. By painting around the edges of the object, she can subtly reshape it, making the form even more interesting and dynamic.
This approach allows for greater control and refinement, helping you create stronger, more visually appealing compositions.
Put it to Practice
Negative space painting is a powerful tool for shaping your objects. The next time you finish painting something—like a lemon or a flower—but feel the shape could be improved, try this technique:
Use negative painting to adjust the shape by painting over the edges with the background color.
You can use this technique throughout your painting process or save it for the final step, just like Miller does.
By approaching your backgrounds this way, you’ll have an extra opportunity to refine your shapes and make your paintings stronger overall.