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Discovering Notan
and Value Studies:
Concepts to Strengthen
My Compositions

In my journey of seeking strategies to create more vibrant, interesting paintings, I discovered two powerful concepts: the Japanese principle of Notan, as well as value studies. Inspired by painters who use these plans of action to begin their work, I surmise these concepts will positively influence paintings I desire to create. Actually, I have been familiar with value studies over the years; the idea of Notan is relatively new to me.

What is Notan?

The concept of Notan emphasizes the harmony between light and dark. It simplifies complex scenes into basic shapes and values, focusing on the balance of positive (light) and negative (dark) spaces. This technique creates striking contrasts and enhances composition by highlighting the interaction of light and dark. As I understand it, Notan compositions only use two values.

Notan studies; Marker on toned gray sketch paper.

I’ve located some blog articles, as well as some YouTube videos, to delve further into this concept, and get some tips about how to create my own Notans. One of the challenges to “seeing” basic shapes in my natural environments, is practicing squinting with my eyes, and assigning the shapes I see to a light or dark value. I’ve discovered an iOS app named Value Study Pro that aids with this, and it has been helpful.

Understanding Value Studies

Value studies delve into the range of light and dark within a composition. Unlike Notan, which uses just black and white, value studies employ a gradient of tones. In the case of the sketches shown below, I used the tone of the paper, and two colors of charcoal, to express three values. Inspired by Patti Mollica’s book, How To Paint Fast, Loose & Bold, she suggests that using a minimal number of values can help you make decisions about design to create a strong composition.

Value studies; Black and white charcoal on toned gray sketch paper.

How Notan and Value Studies Differ

Both techniques revolve around light and dark but serve different purposes. Notan focuses on the balance of shapes and spaces in a simplified manner, making it great for planning an overall design composition. Value studies, on the other hand, help in understanding light, shadow, and depth, essential for realistic rendering.

Resources for Study and Practice

For my fellow artists: have you tried incorporating Notan or value studies into your creative process? If not, I hope this writing inspires you to consider them. Below are resources I have used to study these concepts:

Site Pages

YouTube

Book

How to Paint Fast, Loose and Bold: Simple Techniques for Expressive Painting

App (for iOS only):

Value Study Pro

From ‘Da Beach’ to the Birches:
Misty’s Relocation

In early February 2024, I have recently made what is the most courageous, life-transformative shift of my life thus far. Taking a multi-day road trip across the United States from the west to the east, I have relocated from Long Beach, California to a wooded small town in North Carolina, near the city of Charlotte. While the items in my old apartment were transported on a freight truck to my new home, I traversed the country in my 6-speed Ford Mustang, with a cooler full of food, as well as clothes and other items for the next several days. My last morning seeing ocean waves crash on a California shoreline was on a beach in San Diego. After that, I was off to the desert sceneries of Arizona and New Mexico. It was fascinating to see the landscapes gradually shift in hues from brown to green, as I continued my travel through the massive state of Texas. This was also where I began to experience what it’s like to drive in the dark evenings on country roads, with minimal support of roadway lighting. As I traveled after twilight in Texas, Alabama and the Carolinas, I realized that using my car’s high beams more often would become a regular part of my life. I was happy and relieved to finally make it to North Carolina.

A lovely view from Sentinel Peak Park – Tucson, AZ

Prior to this trip, while residing in Southern California, I had been going through a handful of months of stress, struggle, and hustle, especially in regards to career (I’ll save those details for a future posted writing). A friend that I’ve known for many years offered me a room in his home, which just happens to be hundreds of miles eastward from the Golden State. This warm-hearted gesture will aid me in getting back on my feet, and beginning again, in a direction that aligns more to me—in regards to my career, creative and artistic talents, and sunny disposition. This road trip was the vacation I needed—or perhaps even, a Spiritual Pilgrimage. I definitely felt some energetic releases as I drove away from an old life, conversing with the Creator in between songs or intuitive downloads. The spirits of my Mom and Dad were also strongly nearby, enjoying my journey with me.

Recycled Road Runner Statue, by artist Olin Clark, in Las Cruces, NM

A handful of people have expressed to me, in various ways, how “brave” I must be to make this physical shift. Some found it kind of wild or weird that I would leave the beautiful beaches and year-round, relatively warm weather for the South(east). I could feel a “real” general question behind the statements: “Who the hell leaves SoCal for the South, especially one who lives within a lovely, walkable beach community?” I initially asked myself that as well; however, my heart is leading me out of what has been the “same ol’ shit” for a handful of years now. I am a Long Beach, California girl at heart—and always will be. However, there are communities, opportunities, and newer energies awaiting me in the Southeastern side of the U.S. And since I have recently experienced the Biggest Road Trip Ever, I can see myself taking excursions up and down the eastern states, exploring places I have imagined to visit, for years. And yes, I even see myself flying back to Southern California to visit friends and engage in cultural events.

With family at Cypress Park in Houston, TX

It is my intention that this post or newsletter to be the first of more to come, as I rebuild myself in this new cycle of life. Ideally, I’d like to continue building a business as a solopreneur, using my hybrid of talents in the artistic and technical realms. I hope that the paragraphs and images here inspire you somehow to trust yourself to make the shifts and movements in your life that your soul is calling you to do.
-Misty Rose

Visiting the parsonage home of Dr. King – Montgomery, AL

Discovering Notan and Value Studies: Concepts to StrengthenMy Compositions