Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, but for millennia before Christianity it was honored as the return of the light. Considering this thread throughout humanity, I thought a discussion of the Japanese design concept of Nōtan would be appropriate.
Nōtan literally means "dark light" or “light-dark balance.” Nōtan creates a pattern of light and dark across the composition, strengthening it and making the work of art visually stimulating. We can think of Nōtan as the Japanese equivalent of the symbol for yin-yang energy, and one cannot exist without the other. Often viewers are unaware of this relationship, but the astute artist has thoughtfully embedded the light-dark balance in the composition.
This year while working on a series of watercolor portrait commissions, I used my computer to reveal the Nōtan structure in my reference photos of the subjects. I desaturated the images and enhanced the contrast. As I painted, I had three different light-dark versions attached to my easel to inform me as I added areas of warm and cool color. I found this approach very helpful in determining color/value zones in the facial areas. Here is a preliminary painting of my own new grandson in which I used this process.
2024 was a fantastic year of creativity for me. Not only did I rediscover my skills in watercolor portrait painting, I also completed the first of my gold/silver leaf paintings in oil, another skill I have been honing for the last two years. Most important, a new love has come into my life, Rafael Enrique Ponce de Leon, or Rafi, whom I lovingly painted above in watercolor. My family and artistic pursuits don't leave much time to be on social media, but I will make announcements of upcoming events as they happen. Look for more information on my solor show at Wheaton Public Library in May.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me in my artistic endeavors this year, whether you attended a class, a presentation, gave me an encouraging compliment, or purchased a work of art. You are eternally held in my heart with gratitude.
May this blessed season of light and joy invigorate you and stu=imulate your creativity in the upcoming year!
Denise
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