SAL Challenge: Notan

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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.

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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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]