{"id":27119,"date":"2018-04-18T21:21:10","date_gmt":"2018-04-18T21:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=27119"},"modified":"2026-04-02T21:22:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:22:47","slug":"25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-positive-and-negative-space","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-positive-and-negative-space","title":{"rendered":"25 Days to Better Drawings &#8211; Day Twenty &#8211; Positive and Negative Space"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1><span>25 Days to Better Drawings:<\/span> Positive and Negative Space<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"insertbackground\">\n<div class=\"removep\">\n<div class=\"videoflexwrapper\">\n<div class=\"videotop\">\n  <iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/268505599\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebartop\">\n<div class=\"vertalign\">\n<div class=\"logoimage\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/logosmall75.png\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarcarddescriptiondark\"><span>JOIN THE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR<\/span><br \/>\n    Get ALL of our courses, ebooks, live lessons, critiques, lesson plans and more today.<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbuttonholder\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttonsmem\">START FREE TRIAL<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<hr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:1.5em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/register-25-days-to-better-drawings\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttons\">BUY SINGLE COURSE $97<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperkscontainer\">\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><span>This course features:<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"far fa-clock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>10 Hours of Instruction<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-film\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>25 Videos<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-book\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>24 eBooks<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-shield-alt\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>30 Day Money Back Guarantee<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p>\n\n<div class=\"contentfix\">\n<div class=\"favorites\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tabs\">\n  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-1\" checked=\"checked\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-1\" class=\"label\">Description<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Description<\/h2>\n<p>\nLesson 20 of the <em>25 Days to Better Drawings<\/em> course explores one of the most powerful yet often overlooked concepts in drawing: understanding and using positive and negative space. While many beginner artists focus exclusively on the subject itself\u2014the positive space\u2014the lesson reveals that the area surrounding the subject, known as negative space, is equally important in creating accurate, balanced, and visually compelling drawings. By learning how to observe and work with both, students strengthen their ability to see relationships, refine composition, and draw with greater precision.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nMatt begins the lesson by explaining how positive space refers to the actual subject matter of the drawing\u2014objects, figures, or any identifiable forms. Negative space, on the other hand, is the space around and between those forms. Many artists instinctively focus on positive space, but learning to see negative space transforms the way you approach drawing, helping you notice contours, proportions, and angles with improved clarity.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Understanding the Role of Negative Space<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe lesson emphasizes that negative space is not just \u201cempty\u201d space\u2014it's an essential visual component that helps define the boundaries and shapes of the positive forms. Matt explains that artists often struggle with accuracy because they don\u2019t pay enough attention to the surrounding space. When you shift your mindset and begin to draw the shapes created by the background, your brain starts to interpret the subject abstractly, reducing assumptions and enabling more accurate observation.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nMatt discusses how negative space can help correct distortions in contour drawings, refine symmetry, and strengthen compositional choices. He provides examples that show how noticing the shapes between petals, leaves, or structural elements can make a drawing look more natural and accurate. By learning to see everything in the picture plane\u2014positive and negative\u2014as pieces of a puzzle, you become better equipped to place shapes correctly and develop stronger compositions.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Exploring the Concept Through Simple Exercises<\/h2>\n<p>\nBefore moving into the main project, Matt leads students through a few quick warm-up exercises designed to strengthen the habit of seeing negative shapes. These may include identifying abstract shapes formed between familiar objects or outlining the spaces around simple silhouettes. These exercises encourage students to mentally shift focus away from the object and toward the area around it\u2014an approach that can feel unusual at first but quickly becomes a valuable tool.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThrough these introductory activities, students begin to experience firsthand how drawing negative space can improve their accuracy. By observing the spaces between forms instead of the forms themselves, the mind becomes less burdened by expectations or preconceived ideas about how objects \u201cshould\u201d look, allowing for a more honest representation of what is truly there.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Drawing the Silhouette of a Flower<\/h2>\n<p>\nAfter exploring the conceptual foundation of positive and negative space, the lesson transitions into a guided project. Using graphite pencils on white drawing paper, students follow Matt step-by-step as he draws the silhouette of a flower. A silhouette provides an ideal subject for studying positive and negative space because it simplifies the form, reducing it to essential, recognizable shapes.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nMatt begins by discussing how to view the flower not as a collection of petals and stems but as an arrangement of interlocking shapes. He demonstrates how to identify both the positive shapes created by the flower itself and the negative shapes created by the background around and between the petals. Students are encouraged to pause and carefully analyze these shapes before placing marks on the paper.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nAs the drawing progresses, Matt guides students in lightly blocking in the major shapes of the flower\u2019s outer edges, using negative space as a measuring tool. Instead of relying solely on the contour of the petals, you compare the angles and distances of the negative shapes between them. This method helps eliminate distortion and ensures that the silhouette remains balanced and accurate.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nOnce the overall silhouette is established, Matt refines the drawing by sharpening edges and adjusting proportions where needed. Although the exercise focuses primarily on shape and contour rather than shading or texture, the attention to positive and negative space enhances the structural accuracy of the drawing and heightens awareness of spatial relationships.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Developing Stronger Observational Skills<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe lesson concludes with a reflection on how the study of positive and negative space improves overall drawing ability. As Matt explains, learning to incorporate both spaces into your process strengthens your observational skills and leads to cleaner, more confident drawings. The flower silhouette exercise reinforces that drawing is not m<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-2\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-2\" class=\"label\">Materials<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Materials<\/h2>\n<p>Graphite drawing pencil and white drawing paper.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-3\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-3\" class=\"label\">Resources<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Resources<\/h2>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-exclamation-triangle\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Distributing any content downloaded from this site is strictly prohibited and against the terms and conditions of use.<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Download eBook<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Reference Image<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-4\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-4\" class=\"label\">Curriculum<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Course Curriculum<\/h2>\n<div class=\"curriculumcontainer\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-one-mindset-and-materials\/\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 1: Materials and Mindset (10:07)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-two-drawing-with-lines\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 2: Drawing with Lines (25:29)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-three-drawing-ellipses\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 3: Drawing Ellipses (18:26)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-four-drawing-with-shapes\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 4: Drawing with Shapes (15:56)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-five-line-quality\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 5: Line Quality (13:10)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-six-cross-contour-lines\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 6: Cross Contour Lines (11:32)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-seven-shading-with-line\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 7: Shading with Line (38:49)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-eight-value\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 8: Value (10:52)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-nine-shadow-and-light\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 9: Light and Shadow (11:58)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-ten-drawing-basic-forms\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 10: Drawing Basic Forms (17:25)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-11-drawing-with-forms\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 11: Drawing with Forms (21:12)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twelve-texture-study-1\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 12: Texture Study #1 (28:54)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-thirteen-texture-study-2\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 13: Texture Study #2 (49:20)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-fourteen-texture-study-3\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 14: Texture Study #3 (17:31)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-fifteen-the-illusion-of-space\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 15: The Illusion of Space (16:33)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-sixteen-one-point-perspective\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 16: One Point Perspective (46:39)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-seventeen-two-point-perspective\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 17: Two Point Perspective (48:35)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-eighteen-three-point-perspective\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 18: Three Point Perspective (54:30)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-nineteen-sighting-measuring-and-mapping\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 19: Sighting, Measuring, and Mapping (10:02)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-positive-and-negative-space\" class=\"curriculumselected\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 20: Positive and Negative Space (8:13)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-one-the-grid-technique\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 21: The Grid Technique (11:07)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-two-basic-facial-proportions\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 22: Basic Facial Proportions (41:52)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-three-figure-drawing\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 23: Figure Drawing (1:03:53)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-four-drawing-in-reverse\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 24: Drawing in Reverse (16:29)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-five-final-exercise\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 25: Conclusion \/ Final Exercise (3:56)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbottom\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Your Instructor<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructor\">\n<div class=\"instructorimage\">\n<div class=\"instructorpic\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/images\/mattauthor.jpg\" alt=\"Matt Fussell - Instructor\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"instructorname\">Matt Fussell<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructordes\">\n<p>Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.<\/p>\n<p><div style=\"padding-top:10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/author\/admin\">Learn more about Matt<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relatedcoursescontainer\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Related Courses and Classes<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/realistic-pencil-drawing\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Realistic Pencil Drawing<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Realistic-Pencil-Drawing-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>The Secrets to Drawing<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Secrets-to-Drawing-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/subjects-with-pen-and-ink\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Subjects with Pen and Ink<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Subjects-with-Pen-and-Ink-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>25 Days to Better Drawings: Positive and Negative Space Description Lesson Description Lesson 20 of the 25 Days to Better Drawings course explores one of the most powerful yet often overlooked concepts in drawing: understanding and using positive and negative space. While many beginner artists focus exclusively on the subject itself\u2014the positive space\u2014the lesson reveals [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"paget-iframe.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27119","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27119","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27119"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27119\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45914,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27119\/revisions\/45914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27119"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}