Positive & Negative Silhouettes

A silhouette is the dark outline or shape of a person, object, or scene shown against a lighter background, with no interior details. In art and design, silhouettes are used to create strong, dramatic images that focus on the overall form and movement rather than fine features. They can add mystery, highlight recognizable shapes, or simplify a complex subject for logos, posters, and illustrations. To create a silhouette from a reference image, first choose a clear photo with a distinct outline. Then trace or digitally outline the subject’s outer edges, fill the shape with a solid, dark color—usually black—and remove or lighten the background so the figure stands out sharply, emphasizing only the contour and profile.

See the detailed lesson on Space here and related assignment here.