How to Make Negative-Space String Art

Most string art creates a picture or shape; this technique does the opposite by outlining a silhouette instead. Try this easy and inexpensive craft to add a punch of personality to your walls.

January 10, 2022

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Add a graphic touch to any room in the house with this simple string art project.

Photo by: Rustic White Photography, LLC

Rustic White Photography, LLC

Tools and Materials

pre-cut 3/4” sheet of paint-grade plywood
roll of white string
hammer
needle-nose pliers
chalk
painting essentials (roller handle, sleeve and paint tray)

detail paintbrush
quart of latex paint
drop cloth
1" stainless-steel picture nails
picture hanging hardware and wire

Step 1: Paint Plywood

Cut a piece of 3/4” paint-grade plywood to the size of your string art piece. If you don't have the tools to cut your own plywood, most home improvement and hardware stores will cut it for you or you can buy a pre-cut board at a craft supply store. Lay the plywood down on a flat, level surface on top of the drop cloth. Paint the front and the sides of the plywood with latex paint.

After determining the proper height and width for your string art piece, have a sheet of 3/4â paint-grade plywood cut to size at the local home improvement store. Lay the plywood down on a flat, level surface on top of the drop cloth. Paint the front and the sides of the plywood with the colored latex paint.

Step 2: Trace Silhouette

Use chalk to draw the image directly onto the painted plywood.

Use chalk to trace the silhouette of your graphic shape directly to the painted plywood.

Step 3: Add Nails

Use needle-nose pliers to hold the 1” stainless-steel picture nails in place while you hammer in the nails along the chalked silhouette. Insert the nails about 1/3 of the way or until they are secure and not loose. Space the nails approximately 1/4” apart.

Use needle nose pliers to hold each 1â stainless steel picture nail in place along the chalked silhouette, then attach nails in place with hammer spaced approximately 1/4â apart.

Step 4: Remove Chalk

When all the nails are added to the traced silhouette, use a small paintbrush or a damp rag to remove the chalk lines.

Once all picture nails are added to the traced silhouette, use the detail paint brush to remove the chalk.

Step 5: Add Nails to Perimeter

Nails must also be placed around the perimeter of the board; you will run the string to and from these nails to the nails lining the silhouette. Use needle-nose pliers to hold the nails in place while you hammer them into the board. Again, space them 1/4” apart, use a ruler or a tape measure to help keep the spacing uniform.

Using needle nose pliers, hold picture nails in place spaced 1/4â apart along the perimeter of the plywood, then attach them with hammer. This perimeter of nails is what the string will be attached to from the nails around the traced silhouette.

Step 6: Wrap the String

Unfurl a spool of white string, then knot it in place on one perimeter nail. Then randomly move back and forth, wrapping the string around different nails between the perimeter and the silhouette. For proper balance, do this in sections, working your way from the bottom upward. Once the string is added and wrapped to and from the silhouette, the negative space will begin to take shape. Complete this until all nails have been wrapped.

Step 7: Add Hardware and Hang

Unfurl spool of white string, then knot it in place along a perimeter nail.

Once the string has been knotted, randomly move it back and forth, wrapping it around different nails between the perimeter and the silhouette. For proper balance, do this in sections, working your way from the bottom upward. Once string is added and wrapped to and from the silhouette, the negative space will begin to take shape. Complete this until all nails have been wrapped.