positive negative space art lesson
The following is a 4th grade art lesson on notan or counterchange using construction paper.
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examples of notan + counterchange + positive/negative space
These are some examples of Notan + counterchange. Counterchange is the switching of foreground + background. Light + dark at play. Notan is a Japanese design concept of balance, shape + space.
4th grade Notan - Japanese design project
black + white counterchange/notan art class for fourth grade children
Notan is the term used by the Japanese to express the principle of “dark-light” as an element of design. This also demonstrates the principle of positive + negative space. the common symbol that illustrates this concept is the yin + yang symbol, a balanced mirror image of black + white. Counterchange is switching the background + foreground in a design.
put piece back and glue back of paper
decide where your next cut will be
finished work
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place center piece prior to glueing cut piece
glue down center piece last - be sure corner marks are lined up prior to gluing
try reversing colors - black background, cut from white
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cut from center piece
finished work
variation for lower grade level
variation for lower grade level
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lesson plan
objective
Students will make a Notan design using black and white construction paper. Students will learn what Notan means and its relationship with counterchange artworks.
materials
-Scissors
-Liquid glue or glue sticks
-Pencils
-White paper; rectangular 12”x18” or square 9”x9”
-Black paper; rectangular 9”x6” or square 6”x6”
-Liquid glue or glue sticks
-Pencils
-White paper; rectangular 12”x18” or square 9”x9”
-Black paper; rectangular 9”x6” or square 6”x6”
activity
- Show students examples of positive and negative space in artwork created by various artists.
- See step-by-step examples given.
- Notan is about the relationship of light + dark shapes. It is the Japanese word for the interaction between light + dark.
- Counterchange is the switching between the background + the foreground.
- The project is about composition, controlling space. It teaches a level of visual literacy necessary for controlling space. It teaches students to see art better.
- The white + black ares are equal.
- Demonstrate the cutting process + how to flip the cut piece over after applying glue prior to students working on their projects.
- Note to students to be aware of which side is the front, and which is the back of their paper. Two sided paper makes its easier for students.
- On cut pieces, put glue on front, then flip over.
- Cut pieces should be carefully placed for best results.
- Always place center, large piece down, then line up cut pieces prior to gluing.
- The center, large piece is the last to be glued.
clean-up
- Class should stop approx.10min. early for glueing of final center piece + putting supplies away.
vocabulary words
- Background - The part of a picture plane that seems to be farthest from the viewer
- Balance - The way in which the elements in visual arts are arranged to create a feeling of equilibrium in a work of art. The three types of balance are symmetry, asymmetry, and radial.
- Composition - The organization of elements in a work of art.
- Contrast - Difference between two or more elements (e.g., value, color, texture) in a composition; juxtaposition of dissimilar elements in a work of art; also, the degree of difference between the lightest and darkest parts of a picture.
- Foreground - Part of a 2-dimensional artwork that appears to be nearest the viewer or in the front. Middle ground + background are the parts of the picture that appear to be farther + farthest away.
- Harmony - The principle of design that combines elements in a work of art to emphasize similarities of separate but related parts.
- Notan - Japanese word meaning dark-light which ocuses on the interaction between positive + negative space. Thepositive + negative spaces are seperate but equally important.
- Negative - Refers to shapes or spaces that are or represent areas unoccupied by objects.
- Positive - Shapes or spaces that are or represent solid objects.
- Shape - A two-dimensional area or plane that may be open or closed, free-form or geometric. It can be found in nature or is made by humans.
- Space - An area in which objects or images can exist.
- Unity- Compositional similarity, oneness, togetherness, or cohesion. Total visual effect in a composition achieved by the careful blending of the elements of art and principles of design.
- Unity - Total visual effect in a composition achieved by the careful blending of the elements of art + the principles of design.
variation
- Use 2 other contrasting color besides black + white.
- Reverse colors in half class - see example above
- use only organic shapes
- use only geometric shapes
- Simplify shapes + cuts for lower grade levels - see example above
- Reverse colors in half class - see example above
- use only organic shapes
- use only geometric shapes
- Simplify shapes + cuts for lower grade levels - see example above
- CA State Visual Arts Content Standards
1.0 ARTISTIC PERCEPTION
Develop Perceptual Skills and Visual Arts Vocabulary
1.2 Describe how negative shapes/forms and positive shapes/forms are used in a chosen work of art.
2.0 CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Communication and Expression Through Original Works of Art
2.7 Use contrast (light and dark) expressively in an original work of art.
Develop Perceptual Skills and Visual Arts Vocabulary
1.2 Describe how negative shapes/forms and positive shapes/forms are used in a chosen work of art.
2.0 CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Communication and Expression Through Original Works of Art
2.7 Use contrast (light and dark) expressively in an original work of art.