Try out the Notan technique
Make a Notan collage using black and white paper: fold, cut, and arrange shapes to explore balance between positive and negative space.
Step-by-step guide to make a Notan collage
Step 1
Pick one white sheet to be your Notan background.
Step 2
Put the black sheet beside the white sheet for cutting.
Step 3
Fold the black sheet in half along the edge you like and crease it firmly.
Step 4
Draw a simple half-shape along the folded edge of the black paper with your pencil.
Step 5
Cut through both layers of the folded black paper along your pencil line.
Step 6
Open the black paper to reveal the mirrored black shape.
Step 7
Fold a fresh white sheet the same way you folded the black sheet and crease it firmly.
Step 8
Lay one black shape on the folded white sheet with its edge along the fold.
Step 9
Trace around the black shape onto the folded white sheet with your pencil.
Step 10
Cut through both layers of the folded white sheet along your traced line.
Step 11
Open the white sheet to reveal the mirrored white shape.
Step 12
Arrange the black shapes and white cutouts on your white background until the balance of black and white looks pleasing.
Step 13
Glue each shape down carefully to finish your Notan collage.
Step 14
Share a photo of your finished Notan collage on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a black sheet, white sheet, or glue?
If you don't have a black or white sheet, color printer paper with a marker, use magazine pages or painted paper for the black shapes and a plain sheet for the background, and substitute glue with a glue stick or double-sided tape when you glue each shape down.
My mirrored shapes don't line up or the fold rips when cutting—how can I fix that?
Make a firm crease as in steps 3 and 6, keep the folded edges aligned while you cut slowly with sharp scissors through both layers, and for delicate points make small snips rather than long cuts to avoid ripping.
How can I adapt this Notan activity for different ages?
For younger children, pre-fold the black sheet and provide simple half-shape templates to trace and pre-cut, while older kids can design intricate half-shapes, use a craft knife with supervision, or create multiple mirrored layers before arranging them on the white background.
What are some ways to extend or personalize the Notan collage after gluing the shapes down?
Experiment with patterned or colored papers for the black shapes, add painted or textured details on the white background, layer additional mirrored cutouts for complexity, and photograph the finished Notan collage to share on DIY.org as suggested.
Watch videos on how to make a Notan collage
Notan Beginner Demonstration
4 Videos
Notan Beginner Demonstration
NOTAN - Reflecting Shapes and Creating Balance // EASY Art Lesson for Kids and Adults
Notan Leaves in Complementary Colors Elementary Art Lesson
![[Notan Art] Let's create a design using positive and negative space I Easy art tutorial for beginner](https://img.youtube.com/vi/PgPjO_3ATJI/mqdefault.jpg)
[Notan Art] Let's create a design using positive and negative space I Easy art tutorial for beginner
Facts about paper collage and composition
🎨 Notan is a Japanese design concept that literally means "light–dark" and focuses on balancing positive and negative space.
🌓 Artists use Notan studies to strip away color and detail so they can see the strongest shapes and composition quickly.
✂️ Folding and cutting paper for Notan collages is similar to kirigami, which combines folding (like origami) with cutting.
🖼️ Henri Matisse's famous cut-outs are a playful example of how cut paper can explore silhouette, balance, and contrast.
🔁 Making mirror-symmetric Notan pieces by folding paper helps kids learn about symmetry, pattern, and repetition.
