A Wild Beast?

Posted on February 5, 2017 | 29 Comments

I was learning a new art technique yesterday and this wild beast showed up!!

It reminded me of one of my favorite childhood books, “Where The Wild Things Are,” by Maurice Sendak.

This technique is called a Notan which is about blocking out shapes in black and white in order to master shape recognition. It can help an artist learn composition in design.

I watched a YouTube video on how to make a Notan if you are interested in learning more about it.

Cheers! 🙂

This entry was posted in Abstract Art, Art Journal, Uncategorized and tagged art classes, black and white, childhood memories, composition, creative, fun, Imaginary creatures, learning, notan, playful, whimsical. Bookmark the permalink.

29 responses to “A Wild Beast?”

Ana's Learning Lab | February 5, 2017 at 3:10 am | Reply

This is so cool, Jill!
I think i’ll give it a try as well 🙂

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- Jill Kuhn | February 5, 2017 at 11:02 am | Reply
  
  I hope you do, Ana! It is super fun!! 😄
  
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Catherine Johnson | February 5, 2017 at 4:15 am | Reply

Fun and cool monster!

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- Jill Kuhn | February 5, 2017 at 11:03 am | Reply
  
  Thank you Catherine! 😍
  
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Jodi | February 5, 2017 at 4:31 am | Reply

What s cool technique and I can see the artistic value in it!! I love your monster and it does remind me of that book. A favorite of mine too.

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- Jill Kuhn | February 5, 2017 at 11:05 am | Reply
  
  I tried to do it with a drawing and it was hard! This was much more fun! 😃 Thanks Jodi! 💙
  
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kathydoremus | February 5, 2017 at 5:36 am | Reply

This is so cool….but it also reminds me of one of those psychology tests that I am always a bit afraid of what my answers would reveal!

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- Jill Kuhn | February 5, 2017 at 11:06 am | Reply
  
  Lol! 😁 I was thinking the same thing when I was making it, Kathy!!
  
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Margaret Parker Brown | February 5, 2017 at 8:09 am | Reply

oooh how fun! I will google it and do some experimenting and learning.

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- Jill Kuhn | February 5, 2017 at 11:12 am | Reply
  
  The Seattle Artist, Barbara Noonan who is a Pastel artist, shared how she uses this technique before she starts a piece of art. I need much more practice to train my eye to see a subject or landscape in only 2 colors – black and white. I found it quite challenging but I could see the value in it too. I thought you might enjoy it, Margaret. 😍
  
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  - Margaret Parker Brown | February 5, 2017 at 11:58 am |
    
    I need to practice that more because it would be good training for the eye and of course affect the painting results. I am so darn impatient though! Been thinking about needing to do it for a while, now I need to just do it. 😉
    
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  - Jill Kuhn | February 5, 2017 at 12:08 pm |
    
    I totally understand about the impatient thing! 😉
    
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Elf smiley | February 5, 2017 at 8:44 am | Reply

Perfect timing too….looks like a football player catching the winning ball for a touch down!! Go patriots!! Gosh didn’t know you liked football!!

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- Jill Kuhn | February 5, 2017 at 11:14 am | Reply
  
  Haha!! 😂 You are too funny, Elf Smiley!! 😁🏈
  
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Snehal Kank | February 5, 2017 at 9:34 am | Reply

Cool 😎 Positive Negative space study! We used to do assignments like this when I was in art college!

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- Jill Kuhn | February 5, 2017 at 11:18 am | Reply
  
  Thanks Snehal! 😄 Yes, I do recall something similar however, I had not heard of this term, Notan before. The pastel artist, Barbara Noonan said she uses this technique to map out the lights and darks before she starts a piece. 🎨👍
  
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  - Snehal Kank | February 5, 2017 at 5:00 pm |
    
    Oh yes me too never heard that term Notan before but did similar things 😀 Thanks Jill 😀
    
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colorpencil2014 | February 5, 2017 at 9:47 am | Reply

Wow…Matisse meets modcon and creates funkadelic . Such great work, Jill!!

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- Jill Kuhn | February 5, 2017 at 11:20 am | Reply
  
  LOL! 🤣 Great description, Johanna !! I love it!! 😍🎨👍
  
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memadtwo | February 5, 2017 at 6:41 pm | Reply

I like it! (K)

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- Jill Kuhn | February 5, 2017 at 6:43 pm | Reply
  
  Thanks Kerfe! 😃
  
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Barb Browne | February 5, 2017 at 9:13 pm | Reply

Love it, Jill!

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- Jill Kuhn | February 5, 2017 at 9:20 pm | Reply
  
  Thank you Barb!! 😍💕
  
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Charlie O'Shields (doodlewash) | February 7, 2017 at 9:15 am | Reply

Love your beast! hehe 😍

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- Jill Kuhn | February 7, 2017 at 12:23 pm | Reply
  
  Thanks Charlie!! 🙂
  
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Minuscule Moments | March 5, 2017 at 2:39 pm | Reply

Jill time and time again you show us something so uniquely you…love it!
Kath

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- Jill Kuhn | March 5, 2017 at 7:02 pm | Reply
  
  Thank you so much Kath! ❤ Your sweet comments always bring me JOY!! 😍😘
  
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  - Minuscule Moments | March 5, 2017 at 10:12 pm |
    
    As does your art
    
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