Beginner's Guide to How to Use White Space in Watercolor

White Space Is Your Secret to Simple and Beautiful Watercolor Art 🎨✨

✅ Quick Summary

• White space (also called negative space) is the unpainted or lightly painted area in a watercolor painting, and it’s a key compositional element.

• It doesn’t have to be “white” — it can be light tints, pale washes, or even contrasting colors that make your subject pop.

• White space reduces overwhelm by simplifying your composition and giving your painting room to breathe.

• It plays a crucial role in composition, creating harmony, balance, and guiding the viewer’s eye.

• Experimenting with white space helps beginners embrace simplicity and creativity — two essential ingredients for building watercolor confidence.

 🎯 What is White Space (aka Negative Space) in Watercolor?

White space, also known as negative space, is simply the part of your painting you leave unpainted (or only lightly painted). It’s often the space around or between the things you’re painting.

When I first heard the term “white space,” I thought it meant only the bright white paper peeking through. But here’s the fun surprise — white space can also be:

• Soft pastel washes 

• Lightly tinted backgrounds

• Contrasting colors that set your subject apart

It’s not about the color itself — it’s about the breathing room it gives your painting.

If you are new to watercolor, my Step-By-Step Guide to Watercolor Washes will walk you through the easiest way to create beautiful washes.

🌸 Understanding Positive and Negative Space in Watercolor 

In watercolor, positive space and negative space are a team — they work together to make your art feel balanced.

• Positive space = your subject. This is the “main character” — the flower, the mug, the landscape, whatever you want the viewer to notice first.

• Negative space (white space) = the “stage” around your subject. This space helps your subject stand out and keeps your painting from feeling crowded.

White flower painting from my sketchbook, showing positive space (the flower) and negative space (the deep pink background).

📷 Example from My Own Painting
Here’s a piece from my sketchbook that shows how these two spaces work together:

The white flower is the positive space — the star of the show. The deep pink background is the negative space — even though it’s filled with color, it works just like white space by giving the flower room to shine. I remember being amazed when I learned negative space didn’t have to be white — it opened up so many creative possibilities for my paintings!

🚀 Why White Space is a Game-Changer for Watercolor Beginners 

When you’re starting out, watercolor can feel like a lot — brushes, paints, water control, composition… it’s easy to feel like you have to fill the entire page.

White space changes the game because it:

• Simplifies your painting process so you can focus on the essentials.

• Makes your subject shine by giving it visual breathing room.

• Reduces the overwhelm of “having to paint everything.”

Think of it as the pause in a song 🎵 — without those little silences, the music would feel overwhelming.

✨ White Space: Your Secret to Simple and Beautiful Watercolor Art

Leaving parts of your paper untouched isn’t “wasting space” — it’s making space for beauty.

By using white space strategically, you can:

• Create clean, balanced compositions.

• Give the viewer’s eye a place to rest.

• Avoid overworking your painting (a common beginner challenge!).

The best part? You don’t need advanced skills to use white space well — it’s about what you choose not to paint as much as what you do paint.

🌿 How White Space Creates Simple and Beautiful Art 

Here’s why it works so well:

• Focus on the Focal Point → Empty space draws the eye straight to your subject.

• Balance & Harmony → Negative space keeps things calm and uncluttered.

• Clean, Elegant Design → Minimal detail plus intentional space = timeless look.

💛 How to Use White Space in Your Watercolor Paintings

1. Simplify Your Subject

Choose one or two focal points instead of trying to paint everything.

2. Play with Contrasts

Pair bold subjects with light or empty backgrounds for impact.

3. Use It as a Layout Tool

Plan where your white space will be before you start painting — it’s a powerful part of your composition. Leaving space between elements helps your design feel calm and balanced.

👉 If you’d like a little extra help arranging your subject and background for the best visual flow, check out my Composition Tips for Watercolor Beginners — it’s packed with simple ideas to make your paintings look more intentional without adding complexity :)

💡Tips for Embracing White Space as a Beginner

• Start with a loose sketch — leave gaps for the space you want to keep untouched.

• Try minimalism — paint one flower, one mug, or a few shapes, and let the space do the rest.

• Take your time — your first few “empty” paintings might feel strange, but that’s where the magic starts.

Final Thoughts: Let Your Painting Breathe 💕

White space is more than an empty patch of paper — it’s a design choice that can instantly make your paintings look polished and intentional.

This week, try painting something simple with lots of space around it. See how it feels to give your art room to breathe — you might just find your next favorite style.

And remember — your brush doesn’t need to cover the whole page to tell a beautiful story. Sometimes, the magic is in what you don’t paint. 

📚 References Consulted for This Post

• Hello Watercolor, by Jeannie Dickson

• Learn Watercolor Landscapes Quickly, by Hazel Sloan

• 101 Watercolor Secrets, by Anna Bucciarelli

• The Ultimate Watercolor Course, by Eaglemoss Publications Ltd.

• Watercolor Painting Outside the Lines, by Linda Kemp

• Watercolor Your Way, by Sarah Cray

🔁 Ready to Keep Building Your Watercolor Confidence?

💧 Download the free Watercolor Lite Confidence Kit for Absolute Beginners — Start at the very beginning with simple, encouraging warm-ups and tips.

🖍️ Explore the free Watercolor Lite Try-It-Out Guide for True Beginners — Enjoy low-pressure, playful projects designed to help you paint with confidence.

🔗 Recommended for You

Continue building your watercolor skills with these beginner-friendly guides:

• Composition Tips for Watercolor Beginners — Simple composition ideas to make your paintings look more intentional without adding complexity.

• Beginners Need to Know: 7 Basic Watercolor Washes — Learn essential washes to give your paintings depth and variety.

• Watercolor Painting for Joy and Progress — A mindset guide to help you enjoy painting while building skills.