I've recently adopted a way of working that places equal focus on both the positive and negative spaces of a painting. By first constructing a flat underpainting that provides for the lines and graphic elements of each piece, I constrain the additive painting that is laid overtop. The overpainting is done free-hand using the parameters laid out by the flat painting underneath, and graphic lines are created where the underpainting shows through. The overpainting is done in thicker, glassier paint that serves to add another dimension of texture and depth that exaggerates the relative and and equally important nature of positive and negative space.