diff --git a/examples/api/font_file.py b/examples/api/font_file.py
index 007189151a7a..af035bf7e95f 100644
--- a/examples/api/font_file.py
+++ b/examples/api/font_file.py
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@
 """
 
 import os
-from matplotlib import font_manager as fm, pyplot as plt, rcParams
+from matplotlib import font_manager as fm, rcParams
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
 fig, ax = plt.subplots()
 
diff --git a/examples/api/power_norm.py b/examples/api/power_norm.py
index 08e03297aed8..491792c1a4b1 100644
--- a/examples/api/power_norm.py
+++ b/examples/api/power_norm.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 """
 
-from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import matplotlib.colors as mcolors
 import numpy as np
 from numpy.random import multivariate_normal
diff --git a/examples/axes_grid1/demo_colorbar_with_axes_divider.py b/examples/axes_grid1/demo_colorbar_with_axes_divider.py
index f077c5b40b96..1760be62ef22 100644
--- a/examples/axes_grid1/demo_colorbar_with_axes_divider.py
+++ b/examples/axes_grid1/demo_colorbar_with_axes_divider.py
@@ -4,27 +4,23 @@
 ===============================
 
 """
+
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 from mpl_toolkits.axes_grid1.axes_divider import make_axes_locatable
-
 from mpl_toolkits.axes_grid1.colorbar import colorbar
-# from matplotlib.pyplot import colorbar
 
-fig = plt.figure(1, figsize=(6, 3))
+fig, (ax1, ax2) = plt.subplots(1, 2)
 fig.subplots_adjust(wspace=0.5)
 
-ax1 = fig.add_subplot(121)
 im1 = ax1.imshow([[1, 2], [3, 4]])
-
 ax1_divider = make_axes_locatable(ax1)
 cax1 = ax1_divider.append_axes("right", size="7%", pad="2%")
 cb1 = colorbar(im1, cax=cax1)
 
-ax2 = fig.add_subplot(122)
 im2 = ax2.imshow([[1, 2], [3, 4]])
-
 ax2_divider = make_axes_locatable(ax2)
 cax2 = ax2_divider.append_axes("top", size="7%", pad="2%")
 cb2 = colorbar(im2, cax=cax2, orientation="horizontal")
 cax2.xaxis.set_ticks_position("top")
+
 plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/event_handling/lasso_demo.py b/examples/event_handling/lasso_demo.py
index 24f13f43c4d2..df3a88ce672b 100644
--- a/examples/event_handling/lasso_demo.py
+++ b/examples/event_handling/lasso_demo.py
@@ -10,13 +10,12 @@
 This is currently a proof-of-concept implementation (though it is
 usable as is).  There will be some refinement of the API.
 """
-from matplotlib.widgets import Lasso
-from matplotlib.collections import RegularPolyCollection
-from matplotlib import colors as mcolors, path
 
+from matplotlib import colors as mcolors, path
+from matplotlib.collections import RegularPolyCollection
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
-from numpy import nonzero
-from numpy.random import rand
+from matplotlib.widgets import Lasso
+import numpy as np
 
 
 class Datum(object):
@@ -77,9 +76,12 @@ def onpress(self, event):
         # acquire a lock on the widget drawing
         self.canvas.widgetlock(self.lasso)
 
+
 if __name__ == '__main__':
 
-    data = [Datum(*xy) for xy in rand(100, 2)]
+    np.random.seed(19680801)
+
+    data = [Datum(*xy) for xy in np.random.rand(100, 2)]
     ax = plt.axes(xlim=(0, 1), ylim=(0, 1), autoscale_on=False)
     ax.set_title('Lasso points using left mouse button')
 
diff --git a/examples/event_handling/pick_event_demo2.py b/examples/event_handling/pick_event_demo2.py
index 48ac59e0ae26..72cd4d6f4719 100644
--- a/examples/event_handling/pick_event_demo2.py
+++ b/examples/event_handling/pick_event_demo2.py
@@ -29,11 +29,10 @@ def onpick(event):
     if not N:
         return True
 
-    figi = plt.figure()
-    for subplotnum, dataind in enumerate(event.ind):
-        ax = figi.add_subplot(N, 1, subplotnum + 1)
+    figi, axs = plt.subplots(N, squeeze=False)
+    for ax, dataind in zip(axs.flat, event.ind):
         ax.plot(X[dataind])
-        ax.text(0.05, 0.9, 'mu=%1.3f\nsigma=%1.3f' % (xs[dataind], ys[dataind]),
+        ax.text(.05, .9, 'mu=%1.3f\nsigma=%1.3f' % (xs[dataind], ys[dataind]),
                 transform=ax.transAxes, va='top')
         ax.set_ylim(-0.5, 1.5)
     figi.show()
diff --git a/examples/event_handling/zoom_window.py b/examples/event_handling/zoom_window.py
index b84afeb67daf..c2cc1cce5561 100644
--- a/examples/event_handling/zoom_window.py
+++ b/examples/event_handling/zoom_window.py
@@ -6,27 +6,27 @@
 This example shows how to connect events in one window, for example, a mouse
 press, to another figure window.
 
-If you click on a point in the first window, the z and y limits of the
-second will be adjusted so that the center of the zoom in the second
-window will be the x,y coordinates of the clicked point.
+If you click on a point in the first window, the z and y limits of the second
+will be adjusted so that the center of the zoom in the second window will be
+the x,y coordinates of the clicked point.
 
-Note the diameter of the circles in the scatter are defined in
-points**2, so their size is independent of the zoom
+Note the diameter of the circles in the scatter are defined in points**2, so
+their size is independent of the zoom.
 """
-from matplotlib.pyplot import figure, show
+
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
-figsrc = figure()
-figzoom = figure()
-
-axsrc = figsrc.add_subplot(111, xlim=(0, 1), ylim=(0, 1), autoscale_on=False)
-axzoom = figzoom.add_subplot(111, xlim=(0.45, 0.55), ylim=(0.4, .6),
-                             autoscale_on=False)
-axsrc.set_title('Click to zoom')
-axzoom.set_title('zoom window')
+
+figsrc, axsrc = plt.subplots()
+figzoom, axzoom = plt.subplots()
+axsrc.set(xlim=(0, 1), ylim=(0, 1), autoscale_on=False,
+          title='Click to zoom')
+axzoom.set(xlim=(0.45, 0.55), ylim=(0.4, 0.6), autoscale_on=False,
+           title='Zoom window')
+
 x, y, s, c = np.random.rand(4, 200)
 s *= 200
 
-
 axsrc.scatter(x, y, s, c)
 axzoom.scatter(x, y, s, c)
 
@@ -40,4 +40,4 @@ def onpress(event):
     figzoom.canvas.draw()
 
 figsrc.canvas.mpl_connect('button_press_event', onpress)
-show()
+plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/images_contours_and_fields/multi_image.py b/examples/images_contours_and_fields/multi_image.py
index 43d9d0b6b6f2..6f6b3565b3bf 100644
--- a/examples/images_contours_and_fields/multi_image.py
+++ b/examples/images_contours_and_fields/multi_image.py
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@
 Make a set of images with a single colormap, norm, and colorbar.
 """
 
-from matplotlib import colors, pyplot as plt
+from matplotlib import colors
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
 
 np.random.seed(19680801)
diff --git a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/eventplot_demo.py b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/eventplot_demo.py
index f11a6b3148f4..32e74c8ffe89 100644
--- a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/eventplot_demo.py
+++ b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/eventplot_demo.py
@@ -32,18 +32,15 @@
 lineoffsets1 = np.array([-15, -3, 1, 1.5, 6, 10])
 linelengths1 = [5, 2, 1, 1, 3, 1.5]
 
-fig = plt.figure()
+fig, axs = plt.subplots(2, 2)
 
 # create a horizontal plot
-ax1 = fig.add_subplot(221)
-ax1.eventplot(data1, colors=colors1, lineoffsets=lineoffsets1,
-              linelengths=linelengths1)
-
+axs[0, 0].eventplot(data1, colors=colors1, lineoffsets=lineoffsets1,
+                    linelengths=linelengths1)
 
 # create a vertical plot
-ax2 = fig.add_subplot(223)
-ax2.eventplot(data1, colors=colors1, lineoffsets=lineoffsets1,
-              linelengths=linelengths1, orientation='vertical')
+axs[1, 0].eventplot(data1, colors=colors1, lineoffsets=lineoffsets1,
+                    linelengths=linelengths1, orientation='vertical')
 
 # create another set of random data.
 # the gamma distribution is only used fo aesthetic purposes
@@ -57,14 +54,12 @@
 linelengths2 = 1
 
 # create a horizontal plot
-ax1 = fig.add_subplot(222)
-ax1.eventplot(data2, colors=colors2, lineoffsets=lineoffsets2,
-              linelengths=linelengths2)
+axs[0, 1].eventplot(data2, colors=colors2, lineoffsets=lineoffsets2,
+                    linelengths=linelengths2)
 
 
 # create a vertical plot
-ax2 = fig.add_subplot(224)
-ax2.eventplot(data2, colors=colors2, lineoffsets=lineoffsets2,
-              linelengths=linelengths2, orientation='vertical')
+axs[1, 1].eventplot(data2, colors=colors2, lineoffsets=lineoffsets2,
+                    linelengths=linelengths2, orientation='vertical')
 
 plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/gradient_bar.py b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/gradient_bar.py
index 84320a0d4db2..eae4c44ab168 100644
--- a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/gradient_bar.py
+++ b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/gradient_bar.py
@@ -5,8 +5,9 @@
 
 """
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
-from numpy import arange
-from numpy.random import rand
+import numpy as np
+
+np.random.seed(19680801)
 
 
 def gbar(ax, x, y, width=0.5, bottom=0):
@@ -17,20 +18,19 @@ def gbar(ax, x, y, width=0.5, bottom=0):
                   extent=(left, right, bottom, top), alpha=1)
 
 
-fig = plt.figure()
-
 xmin, xmax = xlim = 0, 10
 ymin, ymax = ylim = 0, 1
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, xlim=xlim, ylim=ylim,
-                     autoscale_on=False)
-X = [[.6, .6], [.7, .7]]
 
+fig, ax = plt.subplots()
+ax.set(xlim=xlim, ylim=ylim, autoscale_on=False)
+
+X = [[.6, .6], [.7, .7]]
 ax.imshow(X, interpolation='bicubic', cmap=plt.cm.copper,
           extent=(xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax), alpha=1)
 
 N = 10
-x = arange(N) + 0.25
-y = rand(N)
+x = np.arange(N) + 0.25
+y = np.random.rand(N)
 gbar(ax, x, y, width=0.7)
 ax.set_aspect('auto')
 plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/interp_demo.py b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/interp_demo.py
index 40e8978854aa..4fcab49f4b94 100644
--- a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/interp_demo.py
+++ b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/interp_demo.py
@@ -5,13 +5,13 @@
 
 """
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
-from numpy import pi, sin, linspace
+import numpy as np
 from matplotlib.mlab import stineman_interp
 
-x = linspace(0, 2*pi, 20)
-y = sin(x)
+x = np.linspace(0, 2*np.pi, 20)
+y = np.sin(x)
 yp = None
-xi = linspace(x[0], x[-1], 100)
+xi = np.linspace(x[0], x[-1], 100)
 yi = stineman_interp(xi, x, y, yp)
 
 fig, ax = plt.subplots()
diff --git a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/scatter_symbol.py b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/scatter_symbol.py
index c9caaeb94339..bee25f03ddc7 100644
--- a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/scatter_symbol.py
+++ b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/scatter_symbol.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 ==============
 
 """
-from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
 import matplotlib
 
diff --git a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/simple_plot.py b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/simple_plot.py
index 4aed2f40cb55..ab40ac15ae31 100644
--- a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/simple_plot.py
+++ b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/simple_plot.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 
 Create a simple plot.
 """
+
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
 
@@ -13,7 +14,7 @@
 s = 1 + np.sin(2 * np.pi * t)
 
 # Note that using plt.subplots below is equivalent to using
-# fig = plt.figure and then ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+# fig = plt.figure() and then ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
 fig, ax = plt.subplots()
 ax.plot(t, s)
 
diff --git a/examples/misc/pythonic_matplotlib.py b/examples/misc/pythonic_matplotlib.py
index 07c6fa915a92..b04d931264f0 100644
--- a/examples/misc/pythonic_matplotlib.py
+++ b/examples/misc/pythonic_matplotlib.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
 instances, managing the bounding boxes of the figure elements,
 creating and realizing GUI windows and embedding figures in them.
 
-
 If you are an application developer and want to embed matplotlib in
 your application, follow the lead of examples/embedding_in_wx.py,
 examples/embedding_in_gtk.py or examples/embedding_in_tk.py.  In this
@@ -55,16 +54,14 @@
     a.set_yticks([])
 """
 
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
+import numpy as np
 
-from matplotlib.pyplot import figure, show
-from numpy import arange, sin, pi
-
-t = arange(0.0, 1.0, 0.01)
+t = np.arange(0.0, 1.0, 0.01)
 
-fig = figure(1)
+fig, (ax1, ax2) = plt.subplots(2)
 
-ax1 = fig.add_subplot(211)
-ax1.plot(t, sin(2*pi * t))
+ax1.plot(t, np.sin(2*np.pi * t))
 ax1.grid(True)
 ax1.set_ylim((-2, 2))
 ax1.set_ylabel('1 Hz')
@@ -72,13 +69,11 @@
 
 ax1.xaxis.set_tick_params(labelcolor='r')
 
-
-ax2 = fig.add_subplot(212)
-ax2.plot(t, sin(2 * 2*pi * t))
+ax2.plot(t, np.sin(2 * 2*np.pi * t))
 ax2.grid(True)
 ax2.set_ylim((-2, 2))
 l = ax2.set_xlabel('Hi mom')
 l.set_color('g')
 l.set_fontsize('large')
 
-show()
+plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/mplot3d/surface3d_radial.py b/examples/mplot3d/surface3d_radial.py
index b5830c359b8c..9125624eca45 100644
--- a/examples/mplot3d/surface3d_radial.py
+++ b/examples/mplot3d/surface3d_radial.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 '''
 
 from mpl_toolkits.mplot3d import Axes3D
-from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
 
 
diff --git a/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/nested_pie.py b/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/nested_pie.py
index 7dd77a1f531d..8f593d36397a 100644
--- a/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/nested_pie.py
+++ b/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/nested_pie.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 """
 
-from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
 
 ###############################################################################
diff --git a/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_legend.py b/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_legend.py
index 5b87c2b8d3e8..4fe6b201090f 100644
--- a/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_legend.py
+++ b/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_legend.py
@@ -5,16 +5,17 @@
 
 Demo of a legend on a polar-axis plot.
 """
+
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
-from matplotlib.pyplot import figure, show, rc
 
 # radar green, solid grid lines
-rc('grid', color='#316931', linewidth=1, linestyle='-')
-rc('xtick', labelsize=15)
-rc('ytick', labelsize=15)
+plt.rc('grid', color='#316931', linewidth=1, linestyle='-')
+plt.rc('xtick', labelsize=15)
+plt.rc('ytick', labelsize=15)
 
 # force square figure and square axes looks better for polar, IMO
-fig = figure(figsize=(8, 8))
+fig = plt.figure(figsize=(8, 8))
 ax = fig.add_axes([0.1, 0.1, 0.8, 0.8],
                   projection='polar', facecolor='#d5de9c')
 
@@ -24,4 +25,4 @@
 ax.plot(0.5 * theta, r, color='blue', ls='--', lw=3, label='another line')
 ax.legend()
 
-show()
+plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/pyplots/align_ylabels.py b/examples/pyplots/align_ylabels.py
index b2eb0bdf6813..63558b0c8b45 100644
--- a/examples/pyplots/align_ylabels.py
+++ b/examples/pyplots/align_ylabels.py
@@ -9,35 +9,30 @@
 
 box = dict(facecolor='yellow', pad=5, alpha=0.2)
 
-fig = plt.figure()
+fig, ((ax1, ax2), (ax3, ax4)) = plt.subplots(2, 2)
 fig.subplots_adjust(left=0.2, wspace=0.6)
 
 # Fixing random state for reproducibility
 np.random.seed(19680801)
 
-ax1 = fig.add_subplot(221)
 ax1.plot(2000*np.random.rand(10))
 ax1.set_title('ylabels not aligned')
 ax1.set_ylabel('misaligned 1', bbox=box)
 ax1.set_ylim(0, 2000)
-ax3 = fig.add_subplot(223)
+
 ax3.set_ylabel('misaligned 2',bbox=box)
 ax3.plot(np.random.rand(10))
 
-
 labelx = -0.3  # axes coords
 
-ax2 = fig.add_subplot(222)
 ax2.set_title('ylabels aligned')
 ax2.plot(2000*np.random.rand(10))
 ax2.set_ylabel('aligned 1', bbox=box)
 ax2.yaxis.set_label_coords(labelx, 0.5)
 ax2.set_ylim(0, 2000)
 
-ax4 = fig.add_subplot(224)
 ax4.plot(np.random.rand(10))
 ax4.set_ylabel('aligned 2', bbox=box)
 ax4.yaxis.set_label_coords(labelx, 0.5)
 
-
 plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/pyplots/dollar_ticks.py b/examples/pyplots/dollar_ticks.py
index 5ab6f7948a91..2f8c864e977c 100644
--- a/examples/pyplots/dollar_ticks.py
+++ b/examples/pyplots/dollar_ticks.py
@@ -11,8 +11,7 @@
 # Fixing random state for reproducibility
 np.random.seed(19680801)
 
-fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+fig, ax = plt.subplots()
 ax.plot(100*np.random.rand(20))
 
 formatter = ticker.FormatStrFormatter('$%1.2f')
diff --git a/examples/recipes/common_date_problems.py b/examples/recipes/common_date_problems.py
index cb9bde619195..5ef4fb64fc8d 100644
--- a/examples/recipes/common_date_problems.py
+++ b/examples/recipes/common_date_problems.py
@@ -55,9 +55,9 @@
 
 # Matplotlib prefers datetime instead of np.datetime64.
 date = r.date.astype('O')
-plt.figure()
-plt.plot(date, r.close)
-plt.title('Default date handling can cause overlapping labels')
+fig, ax = plt.subplots()
+ax.plot(date, r.close)
+ax.set_title('Default date handling can cause overlapping labels')
 
 ###############################################################################
 # Another annoyance is that if you hover the mouse over the window and
@@ -88,3 +88,5 @@
 ###############################################################################
 # Now when you hover your mouse over the plotted data, you'll see date
 # format strings like 2004-12-01 in the toolbar.
+
+plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/recipes/create_subplots.py b/examples/recipes/create_subplots.py
index 1a177d3c9cbf..32ea893801ea 100644
--- a/examples/recipes/create_subplots.py
+++ b/examples/recipes/create_subplots.py
@@ -37,3 +37,5 @@
 # new style method 2; use an axes array
 fig, axs = plt.subplots(2, 2, sharex=True, sharey=True)
 axs[0, 0].plot(x)
+
+plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/recipes/fill_between_alpha.py b/examples/recipes/fill_between_alpha.py
index 16216aedb17d..3a53841b33d7 100644
--- a/examples/recipes/fill_between_alpha.py
+++ b/examples/recipes/fill_between_alpha.py
@@ -134,3 +134,5 @@
 # functions :meth:`~matplotlib.axes.Axes.axhspan` and
 # :meth:`~matplotlib.axes.Axes.axvspan` and example
 # :ref:`sphx_glr_gallery_subplots_axes_and_figures_axhspan_demo.py`.
+
+plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/recipes/placing_text_boxes.py b/examples/recipes/placing_text_boxes.py
index 2ab8986fdef6..882839c502b7 100644
--- a/examples/recipes/placing_text_boxes.py
+++ b/examples/recipes/placing_text_boxes.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 import numpy as np
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
-np.random.seed(1234)
+np.random.seed(19680801)
 
 fig, ax = plt.subplots()
 x = 30*np.random.randn(10000)
@@ -29,3 +29,5 @@
 # place a text box in upper left in axes coords
 ax.text(0.05, 0.95, textstr, transform=ax.transAxes, fontsize=14,
         verticalalignment='top', bbox=props)
+
+plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/recipes/share_axis_lims_views.py b/examples/recipes/share_axis_lims_views.py
index b80393afb848..6b266f8a6ae8 100644
--- a/examples/recipes/share_axis_lims_views.py
+++ b/examples/recipes/share_axis_lims_views.py
@@ -17,9 +17,9 @@
 t = np.arange(0, 10, 0.01)
 
 ax1 = plt.subplot(211)
-
 ax1.plot(t, np.sin(2*np.pi*t))
 
 ax2 = plt.subplot(212, sharex=ax1)
-
 ax2.plot(t, np.sin(4*np.pi*t))
+
+plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/recipes/transparent_legends.py b/examples/recipes/transparent_legends.py
index 0219d5fe5f48..3aa6f2ee6066 100644
--- a/examples/recipes/transparent_legends.py
+++ b/examples/recipes/transparent_legends.py
@@ -29,3 +29,5 @@
 
 ax.legend(loc='best', fancybox=True, framealpha=0.5)
 ax.set_title('fancy, transparent legends')
+
+plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/shapes_and_collections/hatch_demo.py b/examples/shapes_and_collections/hatch_demo.py
index 2785d6d35a29..4379d13839a7 100644
--- a/examples/shapes_and_collections/hatch_demo.py
+++ b/examples/shapes_and_collections/hatch_demo.py
@@ -9,14 +9,13 @@
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 from matplotlib.patches import Ellipse, Polygon
 
-fig = plt.figure()
-ax1 = fig.add_subplot(131)
+fig, (ax1, ax2, ax3) = plt.subplots(3)
+
 ax1.bar(range(1, 5), range(1, 5), color='red', edgecolor='black', hatch="/")
 ax1.bar(range(1, 5), [6] * 4, bottom=range(1, 5),
         color='blue', edgecolor='black', hatch='//')
 ax1.set_xticks([1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5])
 
-ax2 = fig.add_subplot(132)
 bars = ax2.bar(range(1, 5), range(1, 5), color='yellow', ecolor='black') + \
     ax2.bar(range(1, 5), [6] * 4, bottom=range(1, 5),
             color='green', ecolor='black')
@@ -26,7 +25,6 @@
 for bar, pattern in zip(bars, patterns):
     bar.set_hatch(pattern)
 
-ax3 = fig.add_subplot(133)
 ax3.fill([1, 3, 3, 1], [1, 1, 2, 2], fill=False, hatch='\\')
 ax3.add_patch(Ellipse((4, 1.5), 4, 0.5, fill=False, hatch='*'))
 ax3.add_patch(Polygon([[0, 0], [4, 1.1], [6, 2.5], [2, 1.4]], closed=True,
diff --git a/examples/style_sheets/fivethirtyeight.py b/examples/style_sheets/fivethirtyeight.py
index f7653171b795..64b7ab07b6a6 100644
--- a/examples/style_sheets/fivethirtyeight.py
+++ b/examples/style_sheets/fivethirtyeight.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 tries to replicate the styles from FiveThirtyEight.com.
 """
 
-from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
 
 
diff --git a/examples/style_sheets/plot_solarizedlight2.py b/examples/style_sheets/plot_solarizedlight2.py
index 79db70195458..b1a30b6fe14b 100644
--- a/examples/style_sheets/plot_solarizedlight2.py
+++ b/examples/style_sheets/plot_solarizedlight2.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
     - Create alpha values for bar and stacked charts. .33 or .5
     - Apply Layout Rules
 """
-from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
 x = np.linspace(0, 10)
 with plt.style.context('Solarize_Light2'):
diff --git a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/custom_figure_class.py b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/custom_figure_class.py
index 6340d768acca..7e7b92721739 100644
--- a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/custom_figure_class.py
+++ b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/custom_figure_class.py
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@
 You can pass a custom Figure constructor to figure if you want to derive from
 the default Figure.  This simple example creates a figure with a figure title.
 """
-from matplotlib.pyplot import figure, show
+
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 from matplotlib.figure import Figure
 
 
@@ -20,8 +21,8 @@ def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         self.text(0.5, 0.95, figtitle, ha='center')
 
 
-fig = figure(FigureClass=MyFigure, figtitle='my title')
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+fig = plt.figure(FigureClass=MyFigure, figtitle='my title')
+ax = fig.subplots()
 ax.plot([1, 2, 3])
 
-show()
+plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/text_labels_and_annotations/mathtext_demo.py b/examples/text_labels_and_annotations/mathtext_demo.py
index e2b03da638b9..836f626ee403 100644
--- a/examples/text_labels_and_annotations/mathtext_demo.py
+++ b/examples/text_labels_and_annotations/mathtext_demo.py
@@ -3,29 +3,24 @@
 Mathtext Demo
 =============
 
-Use matplotlib's internal LaTeX parser and layout engine.  For true
-latex rendering, see the text.usetex option
+Use Matplotlib's internal LaTeX parser and layout engine.  For true LaTeX
+rendering, see the text.usetex option.
 """
-import numpy as np
-from matplotlib.pyplot import figure, show
 
-fig = figure()
-fig.subplots_adjust(bottom=0.2)
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
-ax.plot([1, 2, 3], 'r')
-x = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.1)
+fig, ax = plt.subplots()
+
+ax.plot([1, 2, 3], 'r', label=r'$\sqrt{x^2}$')
+ax.legend()
 
-ax.grid(True)
 ax.set_xlabel(r'$\Delta_i^j$', fontsize=20)
 ax.set_ylabel(r'$\Delta_{i+1}^j$', fontsize=20)
-tex = r'$\mathcal{R}\prod_{i=\alpha_{i+1}}^\infty a_i\sin(2 \pi f x_i)$'
-
-ax.text(1, 1.6, tex, fontsize=20, va='bottom')
-
-ax.legend([r"$\sqrt{x^2}$"])
-
 ax.set_title(r'$\Delta_i^j \hspace{0.4} \mathrm{versus} \hspace{0.4} '
              r'\Delta_{i+1}^j$', fontsize=20)
 
-show()
+tex = r'$\mathcal{R}\prod_{i=\alpha_{i+1}}^\infty a_i\sin(2 \pi f x_i)$'
+ax.text(1, 1.6, tex, fontsize=20, va='bottom')
+
+fig.tight_layout()
+plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/units/evans_test.py b/examples/units/evans_test.py
index 85b6dbef1c78..36dcc240ea75 100644
--- a/examples/units/evans_test.py
+++ b/examples/units/evans_test.py
@@ -3,12 +3,12 @@
 Evans test
 ==========
 
-A mockup "Foo" units class which supports
-conversion and different tick formatting depending on the "unit".
-Here the "unit" is just a scalar conversion factor, but this example shows mpl
-is entirely agnostic to what kind of units client packages use.
-
+A mockup "Foo" units class which supports conversion and different tick
+formatting depending on the "unit".  Here the "unit" is just a scalar
+conversion factor, but this example shows that Matplotlib is entirely agnostic
+to what kind of units client packages use.
 """
+
 from matplotlib.cbook import iterable
 import matplotlib.units as units
 import matplotlib.ticker as ticker
@@ -75,24 +75,18 @@ def default_units(x, axis):
 y = [i for i in range(len(x))]
 
 
-# plot specifying units
-fig = plt.figure()
+fig, (ax1, ax2) = plt.subplots(1, 2)
 fig.suptitle("Custom units")
 fig.subplots_adjust(bottom=0.2)
-ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 2)
-ax.plot(x, y, 'o', xunits=2.0)
-for label in ax.get_xticklabels():
-    label.set_rotation(30)
-    label.set_ha('right')
-ax.set_title("xunits = 2.0")
 
+# plot specifying units
+ax2.plot(x, y, 'o', xunits=2.0)
+ax2.set_title("xunits = 2.0")
+plt.setp(ax2.get_xticklabels(), rotation=30, ha='right')
 
 # plot without specifying units; will use the None branch for axisinfo
-ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 1)
-ax.plot(x, y)  # uses default units
-ax.set_title('default units')
-for label in ax.get_xticklabels():
-    label.set_rotation(30)
-    label.set_ha('right')
+ax1.plot(x, y)  # uses default units
+ax1.set_title('default units')
+plt.setp(ax1.get_xticklabels(), rotation=30, ha='right')
 
 plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/units/radian_demo.py b/examples/units/radian_demo.py
index d6d960e2da1b..f9da342defcd 100644
--- a/examples/units/radian_demo.py
+++ b/examples/units/radian_demo.py
@@ -13,19 +13,18 @@
 
    This example requires :download:`basic_units.py <basic_units.py>`
 """
+
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
+
 from basic_units import radians, degrees, cos
-from matplotlib.pyplot import figure, show
 
 x = [val*radians for val in np.arange(0, 15, 0.01)]
 
-fig = figure()
-fig.subplots_adjust(hspace=0.3)
-
-ax = fig.add_subplot(211)
-line1, = ax.plot(x, cos(x), xunits=radians)
+fig, axs = plt.subplots(2)
 
-ax = fig.add_subplot(212)
-line2, = ax.plot(x, cos(x), xunits=degrees)
+axs[0].plot(x, cos(x), xunits=radians)
+axs[1].plot(x, cos(x), xunits=degrees)
 
-show()
+fig.tight_layout()
+plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/units/units_sample.py b/examples/units/units_sample.py
index 3ab5a9730bb5..0b99e2609b78 100644
--- a/examples/units/units_sample.py
+++ b/examples/units/units_sample.py
@@ -19,20 +19,16 @@
 
 cms = cm * np.arange(0, 10, 2)
 
-fig = plt.figure()
+fig, axs = plt.subplots(2, 2)
 
-ax1 = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 1)
-ax1.plot(cms, cms)
+axs[0, 0].plot(cms, cms)
 
-ax2 = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 2)
-ax2.plot(cms, cms, xunits=cm, yunits=inch)
+axs[0, 1].plot(cms, cms, xunits=cm, yunits=inch)
 
-ax3 = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 3)
-ax3.plot(cms, cms, xunits=inch, yunits=cm)
-ax3.set_xlim(3, 6)  # scalars are interpreted in current units
+axs[1, 0].plot(cms, cms, xunits=inch, yunits=cm)
+axs[1, 0].set_xlim(3, 6)  # scalars are interpreted in current units
 
-ax4 = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 4)
-ax4.plot(cms, cms, xunits=inch, yunits=inch)
-ax4.set_xlim(3*cm, 6*cm)  # cm are converted to inches
+axs[1, 1].plot(cms, cms, xunits=inch, yunits=inch)
+axs[1, 1].set_xlim(3*cm, 6*cm)  # cm are converted to inches
 
 plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk2_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk2_sgskip.py
index d8245cc8dda9..176809367f0c 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk2_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk2_sgskip.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 import gtk
 
 from matplotlib.figure import Figure
-from numpy import arange, sin, pi
+import numpy as np
 
 # uncomment to select /GTK/GTKAgg/GTKCairo
 #from matplotlib.backends.backend_gtk import FigureCanvasGTK as FigureCanvas
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@
 
 fig = Figure(figsize=(5, 4), dpi=100)
 ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
-t = arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
-s = sin(2*pi*t)
+t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
+s = np.sin(2*np.pi*t)
 
 ax.plot(t, s)
 
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_panzoom_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_panzoom_sgskip.py
index e4055bb3338a..ebead87f6ed6 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_panzoom_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_panzoom_sgskip.py
@@ -3,15 +3,17 @@
 Embedding In GTK3 Panzoom
 =========================
 
-demonstrate NavigationToolbar with GTK3 accessed via pygobject
+Demonstrate NavigationToolbar with GTK3 accessed via pygobject.
 """
 
 from gi.repository import Gtk
 
+from matplotlib.backends.backend_gtk3 import (
+    NavigationToolbar2GTK3 as NavigationToolbar)
+from matplotlib.backends.backend_gtk3agg import (
+    FigureCanvasGTK3Agg as FigureCanvas)
 from matplotlib.figure import Figure
-from numpy import arange, sin, pi
-from matplotlib.backends.backend_gtk3agg import FigureCanvasGTK3Agg as FigureCanvas
-from matplotlib.backends.backend_gtk3 import NavigationToolbar2GTK3 as NavigationToolbar
+import numpy as np
 
 win = Gtk.Window()
 win.connect("delete-event", Gtk.main_quit)
@@ -20,8 +22,8 @@
 
 f = Figure(figsize=(5, 4), dpi=100)
 a = f.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
-t = arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
-s = sin(2*pi*t)
+t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
+s = np.sin(2*np.pi*t)
 a.plot(t, s)
 
 vbox = Gtk.VBox()
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_sgskip.py
index 70313042d4a4..a5e6271488ba 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_sgskip.py
@@ -3,15 +3,16 @@
 Embedding In GTK3
 =================
 
-demonstrate adding a FigureCanvasGTK3Agg widget to a Gtk.ScrolledWindow
-using GTK3 accessed via pygobject
+Demonstrate adding a FigureCanvasGTK3Agg widget to a Gtk.ScrolledWindow using
+GTK3 accessed via pygobject.
 """
 
 from gi.repository import Gtk
 
+from matplotlib.backends.backend_gtk3agg import (
+    FigureCanvasGTK3Agg as FigureCanvas)
 from matplotlib.figure import Figure
-from numpy import arange, sin, pi
-from matplotlib.backends.backend_gtk3agg import FigureCanvasGTK3Agg as FigureCanvas
+import numpy as np
 
 win = Gtk.Window()
 win.connect("delete-event", Gtk.main_quit)
@@ -20,8 +21,8 @@
 
 f = Figure(figsize=(5, 4), dpi=100)
 a = f.add_subplot(111)
-t = arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
-s = sin(2*pi*t)
+t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
+s = np.sin(2*np.pi*t)
 a.plot(t, s)
 
 sw = Gtk.ScrolledWindow()
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk_sgskip.py
index 94d83a7010f2..7da96306a982 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk_sgskip.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 import gtk
 
 from matplotlib.figure import Figure
-from numpy import arange, sin, pi
+import numpy as np
 
 # uncomment to select /GTK/GTKAgg/GTKCairo
 #from matplotlib.backends.backend_gtk import FigureCanvasGTK as FigureCanvas
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
 
 f = Figure(figsize=(5, 4), dpi=100)
 a = f.add_subplot(111)
-t = arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
-s = sin(2*pi*t)
+t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
+s = np.sin(2*np.pi*t)
 a.plot(t, s)
 
 canvas = FigureCanvas(f)  # a gtk.DrawingArea
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx2_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx2_sgskip.py
index f2c0e33042c6..a2847230739d 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx2_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx2_sgskip.py
@@ -7,17 +7,14 @@
 toolbar - comment out the add_toolbar line for no toolbar
 """
 
-from numpy import arange, sin, pi
-
 import matplotlib
-
 matplotlib.use('WXAgg')
 from matplotlib.backends.backend_wxagg import FigureCanvasWxAgg as FigureCanvas
-
 from matplotlib.backends.backend_wx import NavigationToolbar2Wx
-
 from matplotlib.figure import Figure
 
+import numpy as np
+
 import wx
 import wx.lib.mixins.inspection as WIT
 
@@ -29,8 +26,8 @@ def __init__(self):
 
         self.figure = Figure()
         self.axes = self.figure.add_subplot(111)
-        t = arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
-        s = sin(2 * pi * t)
+        t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
+        s = np.sin(2 * np.pi * t)
 
         self.axes.plot(t, s)
         self.canvas = FigureCanvas(self, -1, self.figure)
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx4_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx4_sgskip.py
index 29c80fbb9a74..a5abb97f3ca1 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx4_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx4_sgskip.py
@@ -3,21 +3,17 @@
 Embedding In Wx4
 ================
 
-An example of how to use wx or wxagg in an application with a custom
-toolbar
+An example of how to use wx or wxagg in an application with a custom toolbar.
 """
 
-from numpy import arange, sin, pi
-
 import matplotlib
-
 matplotlib.use('WXAgg')
 from matplotlib.backends.backend_wxagg import FigureCanvasWxAgg as FigureCanvas
 from matplotlib.backends.backend_wxagg import NavigationToolbar2WxAgg
-
 from matplotlib.backends.backend_wx import _load_bitmap
 from matplotlib.figure import Figure
-from numpy.random import rand
+
+import numpy as np
 
 import wx
 
@@ -51,8 +47,8 @@ def _on_custom(self, evt):
         ax = self.canvas.figure.axes[0]
 
         # generate a random location can color
-        x, y = tuple(rand(2))
-        rgb = tuple(rand(3))
+        x, y = np.random.rand(2)
+        rgb = np.random.rand(3)
 
         # add the text and draw
         ax.text(x, y, 'You clicked me',
@@ -69,8 +65,8 @@ def __init__(self):
 
         self.figure = Figure(figsize=(5, 4), dpi=100)
         self.axes = self.figure.add_subplot(111)
-        t = arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
-        s = sin(2 * pi * t)
+        t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
+        s = np.sin(2 * np.pi * t)
 
         self.axes.plot(t, s)
 
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/fourier_demo_wx_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/fourier_demo_wx_sgskip.py
index ef1aef255712..8a87dd974504 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/fourier_demo_wx_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/fourier_demo_wx_sgskip.py
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@
 matplotlib.use('WXAgg')
 from matplotlib.backends.backend_wxagg import FigureCanvasWxAgg
 from matplotlib.figure import Figure
-from matplotlib.pyplot import gcf, setp
 
 
 class Knob(object):
@@ -189,8 +188,7 @@ def mouseUp(self, evt):
 
     def draw(self):
         if not hasattr(self, 'subplot1'):
-            self.subplot1 = self.figure.add_subplot(211)
-            self.subplot2 = self.figure.add_subplot(212)
+            self.subplot1, self.subplot2 = self.figure.subplots(2)
         x1, y1, x2, y2 = self.compute(self.f0.value, self.A.value)
         color = (1., 0., 0.)
         self.lines += self.subplot1.plot(x1, y1, color=color, linewidth=2)
@@ -230,8 +228,8 @@ def repaint(self):
     def setKnob(self, value):
         # Note, we ignore value arg here and just go by state of the params
         x1, y1, x2, y2 = self.compute(self.f0.value, self.A.value)
-        setp(self.lines[0], xdata=x1, ydata=y1)
-        setp(self.lines[1], xdata=x2, ydata=y2)
+        self.lines[0].set(xdata=x1, ydata=y1)
+        self.lines[1].set(xdata=x2, ydata=y2)
         self.repaint()
 
 
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/mathtext_wx_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/mathtext_wx_sgskip.py
index 178e1b91ea3a..b06162b2f0f3 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/mathtext_wx_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/mathtext_wx_sgskip.py
@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@
 
 import matplotlib
 matplotlib.use("WxAgg")
-from numpy import arange, sin, pi, cos, log
 from matplotlib.backends.backend_wxagg import FigureCanvasWxAgg as FigureCanvas
 from matplotlib.backends.backend_wx import NavigationToolbar2Wx, wxc
 from matplotlib.figure import Figure
+import numpy as np
 
 import wx
 
@@ -33,10 +33,10 @@ def mathtext_to_wxbitmap(s):
 ############################################################
 
 functions = [
-    (r'$\sin(2 \pi x)$', lambda x: sin(2*pi*x)),
-    (r'$\frac{4}{3}\pi x^3$', lambda x: (4.0/3.0)*pi*x**3),
-    (r'$\cos(2 \pi x)$', lambda x: cos(2*pi*x)),
-    (r'$\log(x)$', lambda x: log(x))
+    (r'$\sin(2 \pi x)$', lambda x: np.sin(2*np.pi*x)),
+    (r'$\frac{4}{3}\pi x^3$', lambda x: (4.0/3.0)*np.pi*x**3),
+    (r'$\cos(2 \pi x)$', lambda x: np.cos(2*np.pi*x)),
+    (r'$\log(x)$', lambda x: np.log(x))
 ]
 
 
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ def OnChangePlot(self, event):
         self.change_plot(event.GetId() - 1000)
 
     def change_plot(self, plot_number):
-        t = arange(1.0, 3.0, 0.01)
+        t = np.arange(1.0, 3.0, 0.01)
         s = functions[plot_number][1](t)
         self.axes.clear()
         self.axes.plot(t, s)
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/mpl_with_glade_316_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/mpl_with_glade_316_sgskip.py
index 1fb9c7ecd0a2..b5cb5a6637fb 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/mpl_with_glade_316_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/mpl_with_glade_316_sgskip.py
@@ -4,12 +4,14 @@
 =========================
 
 """
+
 from gi.repository import Gtk
 
 from matplotlib.figure import Figure
 from matplotlib.axes import Subplot
-from numpy import arange, sin, pi
-from matplotlib.backends.backend_gtk3agg import FigureCanvasGTK3Agg as FigureCanvas
+from matplotlib.backends.backend_gtk3agg import (
+    FigureCanvasGTK3Agg as FigureCanvas)
+import numpy as np
 
 
 class Window1Signals(object):
@@ -27,8 +29,8 @@ def main():
     # Start of Matplotlib specific code
     figure = Figure(figsize=(8, 6), dpi=71)
     axis = figure.add_subplot(111)
-    t = arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
-    s = sin(2*pi*t)
+    t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
+    s = np.sin(2*np.pi*t)
     axis.plot(t, s)
 
     axis.set_xlabel('time [s]')
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/mpl_with_glade_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/mpl_with_glade_sgskip.py
index 2a088a53e4cc..ab2652b1365d 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/mpl_with_glade_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/mpl_with_glade_sgskip.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 from matplotlib.backends.backend_gtkagg import NavigationToolbar2GTKAgg as NavigationToolbar
 from matplotlib.widgets import SpanSelector
 
-from numpy import arange, sin, pi
+import numpy as np
 import gtk
 import gtk.glade
 
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ def __init__(self):
         self.figure = Figure(figsize=(8, 6), dpi=72)
         self.axis = self.figure.add_subplot(111)
 
-        t = arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
-        s = sin(2*pi*t)
+        t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
+        s = np.sin(2*np.pi*t)
         self.axis.plot(t, s)
         self.axis.set_xlabel('time (s)')
         self.axis.set_ylabel('voltage')
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/wxcursor_demo_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/wxcursor_demo_sgskip.py
index 74efb43bf77c..4fe9eab91c08 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/wxcursor_demo_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/wxcursor_demo_sgskip.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 WXcursor Demo
 =============
 
-Example to draw a cursor and report the data coords in wx
+Example to draw a cursor and report the data coords in wx.
 """
 
 import matplotlib
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 from matplotlib.backends.backend_wxagg import FigureCanvasWxAgg as FigureCanvas
 from matplotlib.backends.backend_wx import NavigationToolbar2Wx, wxc
 from matplotlib.figure import Figure
-from numpy import arange, sin, pi
+import numpy as np
 
 import wx
 
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ def __init__(self, ):
 
         self.figure = Figure()
         self.axes = self.figure.add_subplot(111)
-        t = arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
-        s = sin(2*pi*t)
+        t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
+        s = np.sin(2*np.pi*t)
 
         self.axes.plot(t, s)
         self.axes.set_xlabel('t')
diff --git a/examples/widgets/multicursor.py b/examples/widgets/multicursor.py
index 5137512065f8..7622792dd222 100644
--- a/examples/widgets/multicursor.py
+++ b/examples/widgets/multicursor.py
@@ -5,9 +5,8 @@
 
 Showing a cursor on multiple plots simultaneously.
 
-This example generates two subplots and on hovering
-the cursor over data in one subplot, the values of that datapoint
-are shown in both respectively.
+This example generates two subplots and on hovering the cursor over data in one
+subplot, the values of that datapoint are shown in both respectively.
 """
 import numpy as np
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
@@ -16,12 +15,9 @@
 t = np.arange(0.0, 2.0, 0.01)
 s1 = np.sin(2*np.pi*t)
 s2 = np.sin(4*np.pi*t)
-fig = plt.figure()
-ax1 = fig.add_subplot(211)
-ax1.plot(t, s1)
-
 
-ax2 = fig.add_subplot(212, sharex=ax1)
+fig, (ax1, ax2) = plt.subplots(2, sharex=True)
+ax1.plot(t, s1)
 ax2.plot(t, s2)
 
 multi = MultiCursor(fig.canvas, (ax1, ax2), color='r', lw=1)
diff --git a/examples/widgets/span_selector.py b/examples/widgets/span_selector.py
index 140b45c001fd..854defc87a0f 100644
--- a/examples/widgets/span_selector.py
+++ b/examples/widgets/span_selector.py
@@ -13,17 +13,17 @@
 # Fixing random state for reproducibility
 np.random.seed(19680801)
 
-fig = plt.figure(figsize=(8, 6))
-ax = fig.add_subplot(211, facecolor='#FFFFCC')
+fig, (ax1, ax2) = plt.subplots(2, figsize=(8, 6))
+ax1.set(facecolor='#FFFFCC')
 
 x = np.arange(0.0, 5.0, 0.01)
 y = np.sin(2*np.pi*x) + 0.5*np.random.randn(len(x))
 
-ax.plot(x, y, '-')
-ax.set_ylim(-2, 2)
-ax.set_title('Press left mouse button and drag to test')
+ax1.plot(x, y, '-')
+ax1.set_ylim(-2, 2)
+ax1.set_title('Press left mouse button and drag to test')
 
-ax2 = fig.add_subplot(212, facecolor='#FFFFCC')
+ax2.set(facecolor='#FFFFCC')
 line2, = ax2.plot(x, y, '-')
 
 
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def onselect(xmin, xmax):
     fig.canvas.draw()
 
 # set useblit True on gtkagg for enhanced performance
-span = SpanSelector(ax, onselect, 'horizontal', useblit=True,
+span = SpanSelector(ax1, onselect, 'horizontal', useblit=True,
                     rectprops=dict(alpha=0.5, facecolor='red'))
 
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
index a47486369916..9109704910d0 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@
 
 import numpy as np
 from numpy import ma
-from numpy import arange
 from cycler import cycler
 import pytest
 
@@ -4606,10 +4605,10 @@ def test_set_get_ticklabels():
     fig, ax = plt.subplots(2)
     ha = ['normal', 'set_x/yticklabels']
 
-    ax[0].plot(arange(10))
+    ax[0].plot(np.arange(10))
     ax[0].set_title(ha[0])
 
-    ax[1].plot(arange(10))
+    ax[1].plot(np.arange(10))
     ax[1].set_title(ha[1])
 
     # set ticklabel to 1 plot in normal way
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_image.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_image.py
index ca3443a78445..ff9b7d238792 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_image.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_image.py
@@ -140,9 +140,8 @@ def test_imsave():
     # So we do the traditional case (dpi == 1), and the new case (dpi
     # == 100) and read the resulting PNG files back in and make sure
     # the data is 100% identical.
-    from numpy import random
-    random.seed(1)
-    data = random.rand(256, 128)
+    np.random.seed(1)
+    data = np.random.rand(256, 128)
 
     buff_dpi1 = io.BytesIO()
     plt.imsave(buff_dpi1, data, dpi=1)
@@ -173,11 +172,10 @@ def test_imsave_color_alpha():
     # Test that imsave accept arrays with ndim=3 where the third dimension is
     # color and alpha without raising any exceptions, and that the data is
     # acceptably preserved through a save/read roundtrip.
-    from numpy import random
-    random.seed(1)
+    np.random.seed(1)
 
     for origin in ['lower', 'upper']:
-        data = random.rand(16, 16, 4)
+        data = np.random.rand(16, 16, 4)
         buff = io.BytesIO()
         plt.imsave(buff, data, origin=origin, format="png")