Assisi work – thinking black and white

This new challenge turns out to be hard. First month grids, next month a 3d stitch, now assisi embroidery. But what’s hard about that? for me, because it is ultimately about positive and negative space, black and white and such. I never was really good with this. Remember my recent linocut?

When researching linocut recently I stumbled over the concept of notan. This is japanese and means light-dark. It means a harmonious balance between light and dark areas in a work of art or design. It is especially important in a medium of woodcut or linocut, because if it’s not a colour print light and dark becomes the main focus of the design. I guess the same goes for assisi work. Apparently, good notan can improve any work of art or design. Strange that I never even heard about this before, and I did take painting lessons. Here are two good links: article about notan at emptyeasel, which also leads to other articles about notan there, and an article about notan by Sharon Himes.

Now here are my own practical efforts, although I didn’t really get anywhere with them. After This experience, I admire Sharon’s work even more. Right now I’m really at a loss about how to design that way.

Update: The picture I used as inspiration is here. Thanks to that kind blogger, who allowed me to use it.

a flower bulb – black copic marker, black and white crayon pencil on khaki ingres paper. Just a quick sketch to figure out where I want to go with my next design.

The same – white crayon pencil on dark blue ingres paper. More like a classical chiaroscuro drawing.

A copic marker doodle done while procarstinating about doing some more bulb sketches- I’m sure I couldn’t do something like this if the topic was black and white line drawing or somesuch.

use ins