History of Notan
Traditional Japanese Notan
Nōtan is a Japanese design concept involving the play and placement of light and dark elements as they are placed next to the other in the composition of art and imagery.
Nōtan is a Japanese design concept involving the play and placement of light and dark elements as they are placed next to the other in the composition of art and imagery.
Modern Notan, made with paper
Original Painting
Original Painting
Claude Monet, Etretat, Cliff Of D'Aval, Sunset, 1885
Paintings converted into a Notan help artist see light and dark, or positive/negative space
Paintings converted into a Notan help artist see light and dark, or positive/negative space
A notan can be used to filter out all these other elements in an artwork, so that the balance of light and dark elements is revealed. In a sense, a notan represents the most basic abstract design of a painting.
What is Positive and Negative Space?
What is Positive and Negative Space?
