NotanNotan

Japanese word that means the Japanese word that means the use of light and darkuse of light and dark

The use of black and whiteThe use of black and white

Japanese artists first Japanese artists first used black and white used black and white colors to make art. It colors to make art. It is called “Notan”is called “Notan”

They use two They use two elements of artelements of art 1. Shapes1. Shapes 2. Lines2. Lines

The JapaneseThe Japanese

Japan is a country Japan is a country close to chinaclose to china

It is an islandIt is an island Its people look Its people look

different and act different and act different and here is different and here is whywhy

Japanese cultureJapanese culture

Japanese Japanese believe in the Buddhist believe in the Buddhist

religionreligion Believe in serving the body, Believe in serving the body,

mind, and soulmind, and soul Believe in the simplest of Believe in the simplest of

all thingsall things Believe in strong family tiesBelieve in strong family ties

In order to get a job you In order to get a job you need to be married need to be married

Marriages are arranged by Marriages are arranged by your parentsyour parents

How does their culture affect their How does their culture affect their art???????art???????

Lets look at the Notan examples on the Lets look at the Notan examples on the boardboard

What do you noticeWhat do you noticeThey are simpleThey are simpleUse only two colors (black and white)Use only two colors (black and white)Relates to their religion and cultureRelates to their religion and culture

Lets look at some examples of Notan being Lets look at some examples of Notan being used used

Using lines and shapesUsing lines and shapes

This example uses This example uses lines and shapes (two lines and shapes (two elements of art)elements of art)

It is also symmetricalIt is also symmetrical It is the same on both It is the same on both

sidessides

Using shapes and linesUsing shapes and lines

This example also This example also uses shapes and uses shapes and lines (2 elements of lines (2 elements of art)art)

This example uses This example uses asymmetry- different asymmetry- different on all sideson all sides

Expanding the squareExpanding the square A traditional notan starts A traditional notan starts

out as a squareout as a square In this example it starts In this example it starts

out as a black squareout as a black square We then cut out Positive We then cut out Positive

shapes- are shapes the shapes- are shapes the artists use (In this artists use (In this example, the shapes we example, the shapes we cut out will be positive)cut out will be positive)

Everything else around Everything else around the shape is negative the shape is negative space (in this example space (in this example the white area is the white area is negative)negative)

So what is Positive Negative So what is Positive Negative Space and what does Notan Space and what does Notan

have to do with it?have to do with it?

Positive space is the object or subject Positive space is the object or subject itself.itself.

Negative Space is the area around and Negative Space is the area around and between the object.between the object.

Notan takes advantage of this positive and Notan takes advantage of this positive and negative space to create interesting negative space to create interesting designs.designs.

How to expand a squareHow to expand a square 1.) Draw out the shapes and 1.) Draw out the shapes and

lines you will uselines you will use 2.) Decide whether you will 2.) Decide whether you will

use symmetry or asymmetryuse symmetry or asymmetry 3.)Take an 18 by 24 piece of 3.)Take an 18 by 24 piece of

white paperwhite paper 4.) Take a black square4.) Take a black square 5.) Draw out your shapes and 5.) Draw out your shapes and

lines on the black squarelines on the black square 6.) Cut out black pieces (keep 6.) Cut out black pieces (keep

all pieces)all pieces) 7.) arrange pieces on your 7.) arrange pieces on your

paperpaper 8.) glue pieces down8.) glue pieces down

Notan examplesNotan examples

flickr.comflickr.com

ObjectivesObjectives

To learn what symmetry and asymmetry isTo learn what symmetry and asymmetry is To learn how to use two of the elements of artTo learn how to use two of the elements of art

Shapes and linesShapes and lines

To learn what positive and negative shapes areTo learn what positive and negative shapes are

To learn how to organize your artwork more efficientlyTo learn how to organize your artwork more efficiently