This is a package of all the six eBooks in the Virtual Art Academy® Building Block™: Notan.
Why does a certain painting win first place in an art competition? The answer lies a lot in its notan structure. Of all the parts of a painting that enhance its abstract design, the “far music” of a painting, the notan structure is the most important. A well organized arrangement of dark and light shapes creates an impression of beauty, regardless of either the colors used or of the subject matter. This is called “notan” from the Japanese word that means “dark light harmony”. Just about every successful master painting has a very strong notan structure. Notan is such a powerful factor in the success of your painting that it is one of the first things you should study.
Course Unit 1 – What Is Notan?
dominant values – shape distinction – linking lights – linking darks
Course Unit 2 – Basic Notan Design
dominant values – shape distinction – linking lights – linking darks
Course Unit 3 – Advanced Notan Design
flattening values – analyzing values – four-value study – middle values – counterchange – alternating lights & darks – spotting – keys – high key paintings
Course Unit 4 – Contour Notan
mass versus contour notan – interesting silhouette – creating a contour notan in ink
Course Unit 5 – Gradation and Edge Notans
gradation – edge notan
Course Unit 6 – Notan Sketchbooks
examples of two-value, three-value, four-value and edge notan sketches
