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What is Notan design?
Notan originated in Japan. It is a design concept that involved the combination of light and dark. Artists use Notan to explore different arrangements of light and dark elements of a painting.
Notan has been an important part of Japanese culture for centuries. Notan artwork is displayed in the work of many Japanese artists, including Kano Sansetsu.
Consider the following painting Old Plum from Japanese artist Kano Sansetsu. What do you notice about the branches?
Then, press ‘Branches’ to access the answer to the question.
The dark branches are placed in a light space.
Old Plum by Kano Sansetsu, 1646
The background of this 4-panelled piece of art is a light shade of brown. The tree that is featured has large, bent and curvy dark branches. Some of the branches are thick and long and others are thin and small.
The Yin Yang is an example of Notan design. Light and dark in this symbol are equally important and need each other. In Eastern philosophy, the Yin Yang represent the opposites of which the world is thought to be composed: light and dark. Their interaction is thought to maintain the harmony of the universe and to influence everything within it.
A circle divided horizontally into a white part and a black part with a wavy line. The top white part has a black dot in on the right and the bottom black part has a white dot on the left.
Harmony and unity
Harmony is a principle of design when all the elements come together in a unifying way and work together.
In art, unity is a principle of design. It is how the elements of a work of art or design come together and create a sense of being complete. It is when the design elements have been correctly applied.
Unity and harmony can be achieved through radial balance, similarity, continuity, alignment, or proximity.
Engage!
Explore the following images to discover various examples of Notan design. Some people use this technique and create elaborate scenes. Explore where the shapes begins and repeat.
This piece is black and white. There are a few shapes that continually repeat to create a symmetrical image. The colours of black and white alternate to create contrast. The centre of the piece is a white square with repeating symmetrical black shapes that divide the square into 4 sections and in the centre are 4 triangular shapes that meet to form a rhombus.
This piece is black and white. There are black fence posts in the background, behind a white dog with black ears. There is a symmetrical mirror of the dog underneath the white dog, this version having inverted colouring. In front of the dog is a white ball, reflected underneath in black. This same technique is used for the small white dog bowl with black lettering, which appears as a reflection underneath as a black bowl with white lettering.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
What do you think about the shapes the artists chose to use?
Action
Get ready, get set…
Positive and negative space
Positive space is the object or shape in an artwork. Negative space is the empty space between an object or shape in an artwork. Negative space can become a negative shape when an artwork has boundaries.
The idea of Notan is the interaction between positive and negative space. In Notan, the positive and negative space complement each other and achieve balance.
Balance
A principle of design. Balance is when the elements in an art piece are arranged to create the impression of stability. Balance is created by having equal parts on each side of the art. Balance can be created by using weight, importance, harmony of design and proportion.
Artists may integrate the concept of Notan to create balance and harmony in their designs.
Press the following tabs to access the features of Notan design and learn more about how to integrate Notan design in your own work.
Notan design is traditionally created using paint, ink or cut paper.
In a Notan design, the shape and space in the background are both important. It is the way the shape and space go together that creates balance and harmony. Notan design is created using a balance of positive and negative space.
A Notan design containing geometric shapes. Dark parts of the design contrast light parts of the design. The background space is labeled as the light part of the image, while the shapes are labeled as the dark parts of the image.
Notan design may be symmetrical and include a line of symmetry, or asymmetrical. If the artist has created an asymmetrical design, they ensure that the piece is balanced. They do this by adding an equal visual weight to each side of the Notan.
An example of an asymmetrical Notan design. The artist has created balance by added a section on the lower section of the design on one corner, and higher section on the opposite corner. The design is created using geometric shapes such as triangles, squares, semi-circles and rectangles of different sizes.
An example of a symmetrical Notan design. The design is split in half with a line of symmetry, which the shapes on one side are reflected equally on the other side. On the left side of the design the background is light, while on the right side of the design the background is dark. The design is made of a flower shape, leaves and circles.
Go!
Explore the following image. Do you notice faces or a vase? If you notice a vase, then the white area is considered a positive space and the black area is negative space. If you notice faces, then the black area is considered a positive space and the white area is negative space.
This image shows two side profile faces on either side of the image that are reflections of each other. The profiles are coloured black on a white background. The white background forms a vase.
Consider the following image. How has the artist created balance by using the features of Notan design?
This image is divided in half down the middle of the piece. On the left is a grey background with a yellow scene including clouds, flying birds and two trees. On the right this scene is perfectly symmetrical to the left side, but the colours are reversed (yellow background, grey clouds, birds, and trees). + adjust placement of long description button so that it sits underneath the image it is describing.
Consolidation
Putting it all together
Create your Notan design
You will create your own Notan design, using the concept of positive and negative space.
Option 1: Description
Create an audio or written description of what you would do to create your art piece. Include what you would draw or create.
Option 2: Digital
Create your abstract art piece using a digital application of your choice.
Student Success
Exploring digital creation options
When you are considering digital creation options, explore the variety of digital applications available!
Let’s try!
- Open a digital application of your choice. Create a square and fill it with a colour.
- Make a shape on the square and copy it.
- Flip the shape to the outside of the square and place it in exactly the opposite position.
- Change the colour of the shape on the square to white.
This is an image that is a black square with a white triangle inverted on the top line of the square. The reflection of this triangle, in black appears directly above.
Repeat this on each edge of the square to get a simple Notan design.
This is an image with a black square. On all four sides of this shape there are different shapes that are half inside and half outside the square. Each of these shapes are one half white (the side that is inside the square) and one half black (the side that is outside the square)
This time try it again using the same technique but make it a scene like the following examples:
This image is divided in half down the middle of the piece. On the left side is a white background with black clouds, a black cow, black chickens, black grass and one half of a sun (black on this half) and one half of a house (black on this half). On the right side of the piece is the symmetrical image but inverted in colour.
This piece is divided into three sections. The first section is a white background, black could, and black apartment building. The second section to the right includes a black background. In the left half of this section is the inverse of the images to the left, including a white apartment building and cloud. On the right half of this section there is a white house and another white cloud. In the third section to the right is the inverse of the house and cloud. This section is a white background and the items are black.
Option 3: Materials
Safety
Before you begin, consider these safety precautions:
Materials Needed
Materials needed
Possible materials you might need for this learning activity:
- 1 sheet of white paper
- 1 sheet of black construction paper, or any colour of your choice
- scissors
- ruler
Press the following tabs to explore the steps for your art creation.
Portfolio
Track your progress
Reflect on your learning in this activity.
- What do you think about your final product? Did you get an interesting design?
- Did you keep everything white and black, or did you choose other colours?
- How might artists use positive and negative space in their work to unify their work?
Share your beautiful art with a peer, if possible.
If you have a portfolio, you can put your art there to track your progress over time.
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel...
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.