Positive drawing defines the subject by being dark on a light background, similar to a silhouette. Negative drawing is the opposite of positive drawing, defining the subject as light against a dark background. A lost edge occurs where the subject blends into the background. A drawing can use a combination of any or all of these techniques.
This figure is drawn as a positive form by being dark against a light background.
This figure is drawn as a negative form defined by the dark of the background.
This drawing has both positive and negative areas. Most of the bottom half of the figure is a positive form, drawn dark against a light background, whereas the top half is expressed with a negative form because it is light against a dark background. Lost edges occur where the subject blends in with the background, such as where the shape of the figure’s right foot and also the back of the figure blend into the background.
Though a subject may be of interest, the image may be more difficult to identify than it needs to be. Visualize the subject in silhouette form and consider whether its shape is difficult to identify. If it is, choose a different pose or angle for the subject that is easy to identify in silhouette form. The first step to creating a successful drawing is to take into consideration that the outer form of the subject is easily identifiable. (See more on this subject at the beginning of Chapter 3.)