1. ‘Notan’ – using positive and negative space
Japanese art and design

2. Notan
Notan is a Japanese design concept that focuses on light and dark and how they work together. Paper, paint or ink is usually used in notan. In art, ‘positive space’ is the part we are focused on, while ‘negative space’ is whatever is in the background. When used creatively, they work together to make ‘contrast’.

3. Positive and negative space

5. Notan

6. Notan

7. Notan

8. Notan

9. Notan

10. Notan

11. Christmas Notan

12. Get two pieces of paper (contrasting colours)
Line them up and fold them in half
Draw an outline of the shape you want and cut it out (remember, the paper is folded so you are only drawing half the shape you want)

13. Cut one of the pieces in half
Draw a large shape and cut it out. You will flip this piece to the other half of the paper.
Once you’ve done that, draw another shape inside it and flip it to the other side.

14. Use a hole punch to make a hole at the top and thread through some wool so you can hang it on a tree.
Repeat!