Negative space tattoos are a brilliant way to turn the “empty space” into a powerful design. By using the skin itself as part of the artwork, these tattoos create striking visuals that play with light, shadow and contrast.
If you want a modern tattoo full of creative depth, negative space tattoos offer a whole new way to express yourself. Let me show you what I mean!
1. Negative Space Basil Tattoo
This tattoo features basil leaves and stems, but instead of solid ink, the design uses the skin’s natural color to form the outline, with the background painted in bold black for a striking contrast. I love how this creative design frames parts of the plant in negative space, while the rest is done in a usual tattoo style.
2. Negative Space Mandala Tattoo
Here we have the negative space mandala tattoo with a space background—such a visually stunning piece of ink. It’s perfect for those who love spiritual symbolism and eye-catching designs.
3. Negative Space Profiles Tattoo
This one is whimsical and incredibly cute! It’s a simple design with two female profiles in a negative space forming a vase between them. The perfect choice if you’re looking for a creative, girly tattoo idea.
4. Negative Space Jellyfish Tattoo
This quirky design features two elements: one is a boy wearing a headset, done in the usual tattoo style, and the other is a negative space design of a black balloon with a jellyfish inside. It looks like jellyfish are floating inside the balloon. Awesome piece, right?
5. Negative Space Fern Leaves Tattoo
Fern is a powerful symbol of resilience, personal growth and significant life change. That’s why this negative space fern ink is such a fantastic option. By using negative space to form delicate fern leaves, it creates a beautiful, minimalist design rich with meaning.
6. Negative Space Small Flowers Tattoo
If you love dainty tattoos this negative space design with small flowers is a great choice for you. The negative space highlights the outline of tiny flowers creating a negative image, while a positive version of the flowers is inked just above it. Such a soft and charming design that’s perfect for women.
7. Negative Space Fate Tattoo
Wow, this is truly a marvelous negative space tattoo! The oval-shaped background is painted in deep black and the negative space forms a symbolic representation of fate: four hands with scissors and thread shaping someone’s destiny! Absolutely love it!
8. Negative Space Knife Tattoo
Here’s a knife with a blade that’s used as negative space to showcase beautiful flowers. The contrast is not just visual but symbolic too: the floral blade delivers a powerful message about how love and beauty should be the forces that stop aggression and hate.
9. Negative Space Trash Polka Tattoo
Trash Polka is known for its chaotic, dramatic style, and when you combine it with negative space, you get a striking and powerful piece of ink. It’s a mix of bold black ink, sharp lines and empty space that forms a graffiti-inspired symbol. This tattoo is perfect if you’re looking for something loud, rebellious and visually striking.
10. Floral-Like Negative Space Tattoo
This is super adorable and it’s another design with both a positive and negative image! A flower-like motif is created using negative space, with the positive version of it placed right beside it.
11. Negative Space Star Tattoo
Here’s a star outlined using the empty space within a swirl that looks like a tree stump. It’s a simple but fantastic design, perfect if you want a playful and creative tattoo.
12. Negative Space Panther Tattoo
If you love fierce animals, a negative space panther tattoo is an amazing choice. The design uses negative space to form the sleek, powerful silhouette of the panther standing on a tree under the full moon.