Exploring Negative Space with Watercolour – Great Ayton Art Club 21st Oct 2026

Last week at Great Ayton Art Club, we experimented with a completely new painting technique, exploring how negative space can help us create beautiful floral illustrations.

We began by applying deep, rich watercolour washes to our paper, without any particular plan or composition in mind. This gave us the freedom to experiment with colour, allowing the paints to blend and create interesting variations in tone.

Once dry, we began drawing the shapes of lilac flowers over our painted backgrounds. But rather than painting the petals themselves, we focused on the spaces around them. By darkening these negative spaces, the lighter flower shapes gradually began to emerge from the background.

We then added a little definition to the centres of the flowers, helping to bring the illustrations together.

It was a brilliant experiment in learning to see differently. Instead of concentrating on the object we wanted to paint, we had to think about the shapes surrounding it. It's a technique that encourages us to look more carefully, simplify what we see and trust the process.

As always, it was lovely to see everyone giving something unfamiliar a go and discovering how an unpredictable beginning can develop into something really interesting.

This session was also a great introduction to our next project, where we'll be taking these ideas further with acrylic painting on canvas.

Another lovely evening of experimentation and creative confidence building at our weekly adult art classes in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire.