>> Example of a digital Nōtan done in Adobe Photoshop >> Example of a digital Nōtan done in Adobe Photoshop. Starting with a black square the artist used the lasso, pen and marquee tools to cut out shapes along the edge of the black box. The shapes were then inverted with the free transform tool (Command T), and placed outside the box next to their contrasting cutouts. Nōtan Nōtan is a Japanese word meaning balance between dark and light. It is also an art form involving papercutting using positive and negative shapes. The Japanese artists began with black paper and cut out shapes and lines to create a unique design. We are going to create a digital version of traditional Nōtan, using Photoshop or Illustrator.  

>> Example of a digital Nōtan done in Adobe Photoshop >> Example of a digital Nōtan done in Adobe Photoshop. The artist has combined the Nōtan design with other layers containing color and texture to create contrast. Traditional Nōtan Watch this short video to see how it is done traditionally with pencil, paper and scissors. Copy/paste the youtube link below into your browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIV39eFmQoU

Example: This design uses simple geometric shapes stacked in a vertical alignment pattern

Example: This complex design mixes geometric and organic shapes

Example: Another complex design with contrasting colors added for a striking effect

Example: This one would be difficult to cut out with paper and scissors. Easier to do it digitally with the pencil, lasso or pen tool.

Example: A complex design representing a nature scene instead of just random, unrecognizable shapes

Example: This one uses simple shapes, but the design is enhanced with torn music sheets placed in a collage fashion on another layer behind the Nōtan layer to make it more interesting.

Example: A beautiful botanical Nōtan Example: A beautiful botanical Nōtan. Not every piece cut out was used on the outside.

Example: This Nōtan works because the cut out shapes are all very different.

Example: A design with 4 different Nōtans combined into one composition. Its graphic style incorporates large areas of color against black to create contrast.

Example: A design with a theme: science, outer space, planets and alien life

<< Chinese Yin Yang symbol Example: A figurative design resembling the yin yang concept. In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang describes how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they may give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another.

Example: A very complex design with lots of details and very different shapes -- some figurative, some abstract.

Example: Simple design but tells a story of a domestic nature scene

Example: This one also tells a story – prehistoric animals in a landscape. This one is a bit different because the artist did not place the cut out shapes directly outside and touching the rest of the design like the others.

Example: Very simple and straightforward design, but pleasing to the eye

Example: Lots of figurative elements, this one is different from the others because the artist started with a white square instead of a black one

Example: This design tells a story using marine life as a theme

Example: a simple design with added background watercolor wash technique to create interest and contrast. By itself without the added color, it might not be very interesting.

Example: A very simple design with shapes created with a rough childlike technique, and a small subtle yellow gradient added to balance the composition

How To: use Photoshop or Illustrator. If using Photoshop, make sure your resolution is 300ppi create new document: make sure your width and height are in INCHES document size: 12”x12” black square size: 6”x 6” (original cutout square can be white or black for different effects) Important to work on separate layers and name your layers cutout your shapes hitting the edge of the box using lasso, pen, rectangular marquee, or circle marquee so you can select them and cut/paste onto new layer. Make sure you’re on the original black box layer when you make your cutout shapes. once you’ve pasted the shapes on a new layer, name it and then flip horizontal 180 degrees using the free transform tool (command T) and move into place opposite the white cutout. create 1 version in black and white and a second one with color and/or textured collage items save as photoshop file (PSD) so you can go back in and edit if necessary. Save for web as jpg or png so you can upload it to your WIX site.

Rubric, Due Date, Points Click on PDF below for project rubric: CG234 rubric for Notan.pdf You have two weeks to complete this project. Due date is September 7th. This project is worth 100 points in the gradebook.