1.
I’m studying composition this month, using notans. Notans express a painting in the abstract, using black, white and sometimes a middle value. I’m doing multiple takes on 7 of my old Plein aire studies each week. I have to say, it’s a challenge to get my brain elastic enough to look at old things in a new way. I picked out one notan for each painting. Below I included the plein aire source painting to give you the idea.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
These are beautiful. Your work makes me feel like I should try this too. Number 2 is my favorite. I like the flow of the shapes.
Even with using just a few values they are all very expressive. I particularly like #3. I see life & movement in it.
I can’t wait to see what these are like when you add color. The Notans create some really interesting abstract designs. With both you should have some cool paintings!
You’ve added such emotional depth to your paintings with the notans. #5,6,7 are so dramatic, have such movement. The paint actually looks like ink in the way it flows. What a great exercise and you mastered it well!
This is new to me and I can see the challenge and benefit of looking at things in a new way. You capture so many values with just the two colors it’s impressive. It’s hard to pick a favorite because they all have something to offer that’s asking me to look at it with some curiousity.
Wow, this is really stripping things down to the bare bones, I look forward to where you go from here.
Les