Chris Harvey’s notan study in preparation for his painting 6th Floor Vancouver Library
Popularized in Sir Arthur Wesley Dow‘s book on Composition (1899), Notan is a Japanese design concept based on simplified light and dark shapes. The idea is that composition is based on value, and by waiting to introduce the distractions and complications of color and detail, an artist can work with clarified light/dark shapes to refine the underlying balance in a composition. Below are examples of notan by Sir Arthur Wesley Dow.
Create a light/dark study of a scene or abstract design. Consider composition. Fill the paper, and the space around objects. Decide what goes light and what goes dark. Feel free to change what goes light and what goes dark to improve the composition. Avoid getting distracted by line and shading, avoid sneaking in an extra tone. This is about light/dark shapes only. Materials are artists’ choice.
Thankyou for sharingyourwork! I love seeing these artworks online. People who post to Instagram or on Facebook will be eligible to win prizes (see details). No matter where you post, tag us so we can find it. #seattleartistleague #salchallenge #notan
The June SAL Challenge: Creative exercises once a day for 30 days.
Take a class with SAL – anywhere! If I wanted to paint solid, flat, even areas of color without visible brushstrokes I would: Start with a pre-gessoed smooth panel, or apply your own gesso and wet sand between coats. Use a soft brush, like a synthetic squirrel tail. (Hint: You’ll need to use thinner paint …
“The Colorist” Casey Klahn is an American pastel artist born in 1958 in Hoquiam, Washington, now living in Davenport. His pastel landscapes are abstracted shapes where color gets to play.
I asked Fran O’Neill from the New York Studio School to talk about her upcoming workshop “To Transcribe” and the benefits of transcribing masterworks. She offered a beautiful and inspiring response. Fran O’Neill’s 2 day workshop “To Transcribe” is coming to the Seattle Artist League October 24, 2020. Click here to learn more. “To Transcribe” …
[image_with_animation image_url=”10207″ alignment=”center” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] feet fēt/ plural form of foot. foot fo͝ot/ noun the lower extremity of the leg below the ankle, on which a person stands or walks. Dogs, hoof, pad, paw, smellies, patas, meat plates, noggas, parmesan, cachichas, tootsies. Today, make some flippy floppies. ” load_in_animation=”none Thank you for sharing your work! I love seeing these artworks …
SAL Challenge: Notan
[image_with_animation image_url=”9927″ alignment=”center” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”]
Chris Harvey’s notan study in preparation for his painting 6th Floor Vancouver Library
Popularized in Sir Arthur Wesley Dow‘s book on Composition (1899), Notan is a Japanese design concept based on simplified light and dark shapes. The idea is that composition is based on value, and by waiting to introduce the distractions and complications of color and detail, an artist can work with clarified light/dark shapes to refine the underlying balance in a composition. Below are examples of notan by Sir Arthur Wesley Dow.
[image_with_animation image_url=”9928″ alignment=”center” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”]
Create a light/dark study of a scene or abstract design. Consider composition. Fill the paper, and the space around objects. Decide what goes light and what goes dark. Feel free to change what goes light and what goes dark to improve the composition. Avoid getting distracted by line and shading, avoid sneaking in an extra tone. This is about light/dark shapes only. Materials are artists’ choice.
Thank you for sharing your work! I love seeing these artworks online. People who post to Instagram or on Facebook will be eligible to win prizes (see details). No matter where you post, tag us so we can find it. #seattleartistleague #salchallenge #notan
The June SAL Challenge: Creative exercises once a day for 30 days.
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How to Avoid Brush Strokes With Acrylic
Take a class with SAL – anywhere! If I wanted to paint solid, flat, even areas of color without visible brushstrokes I would: Start with a pre-gessoed smooth panel, or apply your own gesso and wet sand between coats. Use a soft brush, like a synthetic squirrel tail. (Hint: You’ll need to use thinner paint …
Casey Klahn
“The Colorist” Casey Klahn is an American pastel artist born in 1958 in Hoquiam, Washington, now living in Davenport. His pastel landscapes are abstracted shapes where color gets to play.
Fran O’Neill on Transcribing Masterworks
I asked Fran O’Neill from the New York Studio School to talk about her upcoming workshop “To Transcribe” and the benefits of transcribing masterworks. She offered a beautiful and inspiring response. Fran O’Neill’s 2 day workshop “To Transcribe” is coming to the Seattle Artist League October 24, 2020. Click here to learn more. “To Transcribe” …
SAL Challenge: Feet
[image_with_animation image_url=”10207″ alignment=”center” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] feet fēt/ plural form of foot. foot fo͝ot/ noun the lower extremity of the leg below the ankle, on which a person stands or walks. Dogs, hoof, pad, paw, smellies, patas, meat plates, noggas, parmesan, cachichas, tootsies. Today, make some flippy floppies. ” load_in_animation=”none Thank you for sharing your work! I love seeing these artworks …