As we change the distribution of lights and darks, we are changing the shapes of those lights and darks.
With its minimal tones, the notan is much more suited to defining shapes and patterns than it is at describing value relationships.Ĭonsider the action we see with a tool like Notanizer. After all, in what kind of subject will two or three values correspond to the actual values found in the subject? But what those two or three shape-values can do is express the composition in its most basic shape terms. Yes, values matter, but in terms of notan, they matter because they define shapes. Although the white, black, and gray of the notan are, technically, “values,” the notan is not a value study in the traditional sense. Note that there are two slider points with this option.ĬONSIDERATIONS. With this particular image, the ground plane is now assigned a mid-value. Let’s look at the 3-level notan.ģ-LEVEL. The 3-level option adds a third tone. The subject may require additional tones in order to distinguish essential parts of the composition. But in many other subjects, lights and darks don’t necessarily correspond to light and shadow. If the subject has strong patterns of light and shadow, as this one does, then the notan’s patterns of light and dark will nicely correspond to the patterns of light and shadow. However, it is not an effective option for some kinds of subjects. You can find the “sweet spot,” a balance of light and dark that clearly forms a better composition.ĬONSIDERATIONS: This strict black and white option is “classic” notan and fits most artist’s idea of notan. By moving the slider left or right, you can change the distribution or balance between light and dark. If the arrangement of those shapes forms an effective abstract composition, then the painting that is built upon it, with all its color and detail, will also possess a strong composition.Įach of the options in the app has a slider. Notan is a Japanese word that translates as “light-dark balance.” It is a design principle that suggests that strength and balance in composition can be found through a harmonious relationship between light and dark shapes. That energy is more focused with this limited focus imposed. What i like about this subject is the upward movement of the hill and road, and the shapes made by the patterns of light and shadow. It “eliminates the unnecessary so the necessary may speak,” as Hans Hoffmann said. LIMITED FOCUS APPLIED, CONVERTED TO BLACK AND WHITE. A limited focus simplifies and gets rid of extraneous information. The original, uncropped photo presents the seeds of a good composition, but there is too much extraneous information that distracts from the main focus. You’ll have to do that first on your mobile phone or iPad. PHOTO, UNCROPPED. Notanizer allows you take photos from within the app, but does not allow you to crop the image from within the app. You may also find two of my other primers on Notan helpful: The Wisdom of Notan – A Brief Introduction and Video Lesson: Exploring Composition through Shape and Notan. (Think options!) Images will say it best, so I’ll demonstrate each of Notanizer’s “levels.” I’ll also offer some thoughts on notan theory as I go. It can help save time in the field by quickly generating digital compositional thumbnails. Notanizer will be of particular benefit to plein air painters. Not every subject translates well into just black and white (strict notan), so having a 3-level and 4-level option lets you find the distribution of shapes and values that is optimal for that particular subject. Notanizer can convert photos into two, three, or four levels.
#Studies app for mac for mac
The App is available for Mac and Android operating systems. Fortunately, a new app from another developer has been released, called Notanizer. Very helpful for composition! As of this writing, Value Viewer is still available, but has not been updated in five years, so it no longer works on most devices. It allowed you to change the distribution of the shapes and values on the fly.
It allowed you convert a photograph to black-and-white and then convert it into two or three values. Some of you may recall an app popular with plein air painters called Value Viewer.
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