Notan
When talking about space, it refers to the space that an artwork fills.
With a 2D space, we are referring to the space within the canvas or piece of paper. When you fill a space on paper (for example, creating a drawing) you are creating a positive space. The space around this is called negative space. The way that we use this space can alter the affect of the artwork as a whole.
For this task you will create a Notan. This is a Japanese exercise to help you practise and see where the positive and negative space is. It is important to pay attention to the relationships between the spaces within an artwork to create an effective composition. (This practice can also be used in any visual space, such as interior design)
Procedure
With a 2D space, we are referring to the space within the canvas or piece of paper. When you fill a space on paper (for example, creating a drawing) you are creating a positive space. The space around this is called negative space. The way that we use this space can alter the affect of the artwork as a whole.
For this task you will create a Notan. This is a Japanese exercise to help you practise and see where the positive and negative space is. It is important to pay attention to the relationships between the spaces within an artwork to create an effective composition. (This practice can also be used in any visual space, such as interior design)
Procedure
- Brainstorm and research about Asian art to help you create a design. What are typical motifs of Asian art?
- Draw a design in your book to help you create a nice composition. Think about how you can use one of the design principles like focal point, repetition or unity. Draw a square. (make sure the corners are 90 degrees) Use each edge of the square to help create your design. Each edge should have half a drawing. (The other half is created later) Look at the images on this site for inspiration or image search for even more.
- You will need to create a symmetrical image. Therefore, draw half of your image on black paper. (for example, half a butterfly, with the body touching the edge of the paper)
- You will need to be careful not to loose any pieces of paper you cut out. To avoid this, place your black paper square in the middle of a larger white piece of paper. Once you are happy with the position mark each corner. Now you can place the black paper in the same place every time.
- Once you have transferred you design onto black paper, cut it out. Use a scalpel and cutting matt. Be careful and precise, you need the image to be the same once it is cut out, so only cut on the line. Cut out one area at a time and move between step 5 and 6. This will help you to get all the pieces of paper in the correct places. (Otherwise you will be left with a difficult jigsaw puzzle at the end!)
- Flip the piece of paper you have cut out (not the piece you have cut from!) and line it up to create a symmetrical image. Once it has been lined up perfectly, glue it down.