I’m beginning new stencil designs this week. To loosen up, I’m playing with paper, scissors and a glue stick, following some intriguing exercises in the book Notan: The Dark-Light principle of design. This goal of the exercise below is to create symmetrical and asymmetrical balance by cutting shapes out of a basic 6×6″ black square and expanding them outside the boundary of the square (with some guidelines). These exercises help develop what the authors call the “dichotomy of attention” to positive and negative space that is necessary to create Notan (think right-brain).
expanding the square symmetrically
Not surprisingly, creating asymmetrical balance is more challenging. Here is one of several iterations I tried combining a rabbit form with a kale/leaf-like form (remembering the rabbits that frequented my garden this winter). It’s easier to start with abstract rather than representational forms and see what emerges.
expanding the square asymmetrically
oh. oh, this is just grand!!!!
.-= jude´s last blog ..what is teaching? =-.
thanks, Jude! I’m having fun w/it! I sometimes get so blocked when beginning a design … this helps me get out of my over-analytical brain!
Oh the rabbit and kale motif is wonderful. Do you plan to make cushions/fabric with it? I do enjoy watching your creative processes and am fascinated by the masking and dyeing techniques you use.
Thanks Emma – for now the plan is to make a repeat….this would allow me to create either runners, cushions, or a length of cloth to hang …
this is a wonderful exercise and i’m going to practice. Thank you!
oh and the bunny & kale!
Here is an article in the NYTimes on Monday. I hope you have a look. The circle as a rectangle….. mind-expanding!…. with great implications for design as mathematics.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/take-it-to-the-limit/?ref=opinion
.-= Deb´s last blog ..Flat Bottom Relaxed Roman =-.
That’s a fascinating article, Deb. Thanks for the link. The article reminds me of another favorite book, A Beginner’s Guide to Constructing the Universe.
I am a fan of the rabbit and kale design too! Jane Dunnewold uses the expanded square technique and has a tutorial here :-
http://www.artclothstudios.com/tutorials.php
.-= judith´s last blog ..beautiful silver, beautiful city =-.
thank you, Judith! Those look like great resources!