Notan is a Japanese word that means “light-dark balance.” A Notan uses an extremely limited range of values: in its strictest form, just black and white; in its more liberal form, black, white, and a mid-tone. This flat and abstract design notation is uniquely suited for expressing a composition in its irreducible shape-terms. The power of Notan is that when a design is expressed in such simplified terms, compositional elements like large and small, heavy and light, movement, and balance become easier to see.

In CVP, we use the simplified Principles of Value and Design by focusing on the “Loud Conversation” when beginning a painting. This achieves the same result as Notan. Notan reduces the range of values in a work of art also so that the artist can see the design more clearly. If the artist can see the composition clearly, they then can more easily modify and improve it.