positive - negative space lesson

positive negative space art lesson

The following is a 4th grade art lesson on notan or counterchange using construction paper.
Scroll down to find:

examples of notan + counterchange with definitions
step-by-step instructions with pictures of the project
a lesson plan (including California State Visual Art Standards)

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.

center black paper on white paper

make small, pencil marks, tightly, at each corner of black for placement

cut shape from edge, not corner

pull shape away + place bulk on corner marks - as closely to exact possible

cut piece can be glued - match up carefully before gluing - glue on back side of cut piece

place 1st cut piece in position to be glued, then another cut can be made

flip over after glued on reverse side - place large black paper where it belongs prior to glueing cut pc

apply cut small piece from large, base black - glue

flip over small piece

put piece back and glue back of paper

decide where your next cut will be

finished work

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

cut from center piece

finished work

variation for lower grade level

finished work

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”

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

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.