Nail art isn't dead; it's just evolving — and we love the minimalist direction manicures are taking this season. Our favorite way to wear the trend? Graphic designs painted over a naked nail; A.K.A. negative space nail art. We headed to newly opened NYC nail art studio Paintbox to learn how to DIY three negative space looks with help from nail artist Julie Ventura. Read on for the surprisingly simple step-by-step.

Photographed on location at Paintbox, 17 Crosby Street, New York City. (212) 219-2412; paint-box.com.

This sparkly silver design is accessorized with a peek-a-boo half moon at the cuticle.

Clean up cuticles, buff and file your nails. A flawless base is key with a negative space look like this one.

Using a metallic silver polish — we opted for Morgan Taylor Chain Reaction ($8.50) — paint a solid stripe down the middle of the nail, starting a few millimeters away from the cuticle. To create the half moon shape, paint another stripe slightly closer to the cuticle on the left side, then repeat on the right side of the nail.

Top the metallic polish with a glitter top coat in a similar shade. We used Deborah Lippmann Today Was a Fairytale ($20), a silver sparkle with both fine and chunky glitter. The varying sizes catch the light to make nails look ultra glimmery, while the silver metallic polish enhances the effect. Repeat on all 10 nails.

This graphic design combines a classic French tip with a triangular accent for a seriously eye-catching look.

Start by painting your French tip. Ventura used a gel polish — Presto 123 in mint green — and applied with a wide, flat brush, which made getting the perfect shape easy. You can achieve a similar effect with regular nail polish and an eyeliner brush.

Using a skinny brush, make three dots on the nail — one in the center where the French tip begins, and two just above the cuticle. Ventura uses an art store paint brush with its bristles cut off to make a super thin tip.

Using your skinny brush, paint a stip connecting the left cuticle dot to the center dot.

Connect the remaining dot to the tip. Repeat on all 10 nails.

This black-on-bare manicure gives nails a dressed up tuxedo vibe.

Create a half-moon shape by dabbing polish on the nail. Start with a small amount of polish on your brush, and add to the shape bit by bit, not in one big blob.

Clean up the edges with an orange wood stick.

To create a perfectly rounded French tip, apply polish in two strokes. First, paint diagonally from the right edge of the nail to the center. Then add another diagonal swipe from the left edge to the center. Repeat on all 10 nails and finish with a clear topcoat.