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Watercoloring ,

Watercolor Negative Painting For Newbies

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Shelby Abrahamsen (Foxsy)

Class Description:

Welcome to Watercolor Negative Painting For Newbies! Join Shelby Abrahamsen as she breaks down a technique known as negative painting, where artists paint in the negative space of a composition rather than directly on the main subject.

It might look hard, but Shelby will show you how it works with two quick, easy lessons. With practice, you'll find that it's an excellent tool to have in your watercolor skillset.

To put all of your newfound negative painting skills to work, the course will conclude with two step-by-step projects. Project 1 focuses on directional negative painting, while Project 2 focuses on deep negative painting. Don't forget to submit your projects for personalized feedback!

What You Will Learn:

  • What negative painting is and what makes it different from traditional painting techniques
  • How to complete a negative painting in five easy steps
  • Directional negative painting
  • Deep negative painting

Supplies You'll Need:

  • Watercolor paper
  • Watercolor brushes
  • Watercolor paints
  • Two jars of water
  • Cotton rag or paper towels
  • Masking tape (optional)
  • heat tool (optional)

Explore Class Projects:

In this class, you'll learn to create these amazing class projects, but more importantly, you'll learn how to create your own pieces in the future.

Class Content

About Instructor

Shelby Abrahamsen (Foxsy)

Shelby is the co-founder of Foxsy and the creator at Little Coffee Fox. She is a professional watercolorist, letterer, and artist with a passion for teaching others to reintroduce creativity back into their lives. Shelby lives in Chicago, IL with her husband Jon and her pets Summer, Basil, and Korra.

217 Classes

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Class Details:

  • 📊Level: Beginner
  • ⏰Time: 38 Minutes

Class Pass includes:

  • ✓Lifetime Access To Class

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Access Everything Foxsy Has To Offer

Be Part of the Foxsy Revolution

Join a thriving community of over 2,300 students, all united by a shared love for creativity. Together, let's paint a brighter, more creative future.

  • Access 299 classes with 250+ hours of content.
  • Work through over 400 lessons and 70+ projects.
  • Access the Watercolor Academy, Drawing Bootcamp, & Modern Lettering Academies.
  • Join weekly live classes.
  • Get personalized feedback on all projects.
  • Get real answers to your questions with Creative Support.
Access Everything Foxsy Has To Offer

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Trusted By Over 2,300 Students Like You

  • “As a total beginner when I started, I’m amazed at the amount of skill and knowledge I gained. There’s a wide variety of courses so you can’t get bored.

    There’s always another challenge in the next class. Really appreciated the personal feedback when I submitted projects.
    Janet G
  • “I loved the Watercolor Academy I learned so much and have developed self-confidence in my ability as a budding "artist "

    (I 'm still getting used to this lol)”
    Gail P
  • "This is excellent.

    As a chronic copier of other people's art, the tips offered here will help me with my own creative process and prevent the block that I feel with "what next"."
    Carol R
  • “The Watercolor Academy was a great experience. I learned so much and was able to get feedback on my projects along the way. I feel like I accomplished something when all was completed.

    I would recommend (and I have) the Foxsy Watercolor Academy to others wanting to try out watercolors or improve on their skills.”
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  • "Very fun and informative courses.

    The projects turn out very pretty, and the instructor feedback is quick and helpful."
    Vera C
  • “Very good and useful courses for those that want to start or improve their watercolor skills”
    Boryana
  • "This was so helpful! I loved the way Shelby broke down the basics in a succinct way and tips to use while practicing. Lastly, I appreciated Shelby mentioning that everyone is going to have a unique bounce lettering style.

    As someone who is new to brush lettering in general, I've been copying a lot of what I see. I need that consistent reminder to avoid potential frustration, especially as a beginner!"
    Kelsey
  • "I loved this course. I loved how it showed the lesson and then a project that corresponded with that project.

    The explanations were amazing and helpful and I really felt confident in doing the project. This was probably the best watercolor lesson I've ever taken and enjoyed."
    LG Woods
  • "I really enjoyed this course. Instructions and examples were clear and practical and the feedback was really kind and helpful.

    It has improved my lettering knowledge and given me confidence to keep practicing."
    Nic

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  • Unlimited creative support

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All Foxsy Memberships include:

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  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Lifetime Membership

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Get Lifetime Access

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Monthly Membership

$29 / month
Go Monthly

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Yearly Membership

$164 / year
Go Yearly

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Lifetime Membership

$599 Never pay a subscription fee again.
Get Lifetime Access

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support
All plans come with a 30-day Money Back Guarantee.
Cancel anytime in your dashboard.
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Here at Foxsy, we are working to build a platform where you can have everything you need to give your creativity everything it needs to thrive.

Right now, we are working on building the best collection of online courses around, so you have everything you need to learn the new skills you've been putting off (or help you dust off some old skills).

We're doing this by working with online creators who have been where you are. Our instructors have all decided to make their creativity a focus of their lives. To devote themselves to exploring their creativity and helping others do the same, and many of them are self-taught. Basically, they get it and can help you no matter where you are.

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Ratings and Reviews

4.9
Avg. Rating
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What's your experience? We'd love to know!
jisuki
Posted 1 year ago
Great class to practice water control and stay focused!

I Loved this watercolor painting effect- it's one of my faves! The 1st time I tried it was hard for me, but I loved learning this process! I know I will improve as I keep practicing because I'm starting to understand the rhythm of how it works. My biggest challenge is water control and I paint slow. This class pushed me to stay focused and my speed is improving. A great challenge! Love this class!

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linda-f
Posted 2 years ago
It's different but not in a negative way

This course turned my thinking around, just when I thought I was getting the hang of it, it showed me a new side to watercolour. I have long been intrigued by negative space, just never thought about it in this medium. I jumped in with the first project and was pretty pleased with it, but I aim to improve on the second.

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laura-newton
Posted 2 years ago
Negative Painting

I loved this class. I bumbled through it, but plan on doing it more times.

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mzsorceiagmail-com
Posted 3 years ago
Game changer

I looked at the reference picture and thought maybe this one was over my head. But Shelby’s explanations of what to do and why it is done to get a particular effect made it make sense to me. It took me a couple of tries but it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. And I’m already thinking about how I can use what I learned on other projects I’ve been contemplating.

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runningwater
Posted 3 years ago
Great exercise.

This one was fun but very difficult for me. But I finished it. There's a lot wrong about it but I learned a lot. I will do it again and compare.

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lorig2419gmail-com
Posted 3 years ago
Wow! Cool technique!

Liked: concept and technique explained and demonstrated well. What could be better? LOVED the finished stingray example but would have liked to do more hands on of the layering to see how to get the really cool layered effect. Jumped from the first layer to the finished piece too quickly for me. But … maybe that’s what practice is all about!!

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Helpful? One person found this helpful.
sunny63
Posted 3 years ago
Confidence Builder!!!!

This course really helped with the confidence! Even though some of my " people " looked like ET it turned out really well !

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