Price: $10.95 - $9.53
(as of Feb 08, 2025 23:54:42 UTC – Details)
As a guiding principle of Eastern art and design, Notan (a Japanese word meaning dark-light) focuses on the interaction between positive and negative space, a relationship embodied in the ancient symbolism of the Yang and the Yin. In composition, it recognizes the separate but equally important identity of both a shape and its background.
Since their introduction in the West, the intriguing exercises associated with Notan have produced striking results in every branch of Western art and design. This book, by two American artists and teachers who made an intensive study of Notan, was the first basic book on the subject in the West, and it remains one of the definitive texts. Through a series of simple exercises, it places the extraordinary creative resources of Notan easily within the grasp of Western artists and designers.
Clearly and concisely, the authors demonstrate Notan’s practical applications in six problems of progressive difficulty — creative exercises that will fascinate artists and designers of every calling and level of expertise. Along with these exercises, the book includes many illustrations of the principle of Notan, among them images as diverse as a sculpture by David Smith, a Samoan tapa cloth, a Museum of Modern Art shopping bag, New England gravestone rubbings, Japanese wrapping paper, a painting by Robert Motherwell, a psychedelic poster, and a carved and dyed Nigerian calabash. Painters, sculptors, potters, jewelry, and textile designers, architects, and interior designers all will discover — or rediscover — in these pages an ancient principle of composition that can help them meet creative challenges with fresh new perspective.
From the Publisher
Art Instruction, Art History and Fine Art Books at www.doverpublications.com
Publisher : Dover Publications; Revised edition (September 19, 1991)
Language : English
Paperback : 80 pages
ISBN-10 : 048626856X
ISBN-13 : 978-0486268569
Item Weight : 6.4 ounces
Dimensions : 8.27 x 0.2 x 8.46 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book provides a useful tutorial on design concepts like negative and positive design. They find it helpful for learning to see and appreciate visual balance and harmony. The book is considered an important addition to any artist’s or maker’s library. Readers appreciate the nice photos and text, which produce stronger images. Many consider it worth the cost. However, opinions differ on the clarity of the writing – some find it clear and understandable, while others feel there is minimal content and it’s not worth the price.
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