In this episode of Art School Live featuring renowned artist Mike Hernandez, we’ll explore digital painting and how focusing on value studies—not just color—can transform your approach to painting and drawing.
When it comes to creating compelling and dynamic artwork, understanding the interplay of light and shadow is essential. One powerful technique that artists across all mediums can use to elevate their compositions is the Notan value study.
Whether you work traditionally with oils, gouache, watercolors, or digitally, mastering Notan studies will help you simplify complex scenes, design stronger shapes, and bring clarity to your compositions. Let’s dive into the principles, practical tips, and creative exercises that will revolutionize your art practice.
Action Step: Register for Digital Painting Live, June 14th, 2025
Discover the techniques of Hollywood’s top artists at Digital Painting Live! Watch them use digital painting tools live to create artwork at the highest level — so you can explore new possibilities in your own work: www.digitalpaintinglive.com.
What is a Notan Value Study?
Notan is a Japanese term that refers to the balance of light and dark within a composition. Traditionally, Notan studies involve using a limited range of values—typically two to four—to focus on the essential shapes and design elements of an image without the distraction of color, texture, or fine detail.
Mike Hernandez describes Notan studies as a form of “calisthenics” for artists: a daily exercise to keep your eye sharp and your understanding of shape and composition strong. These studies are not about replicating exact values or colors but about exploring how shapes interact and how light defines form.
“The purpose of this exercise is to limit the amount of values you use. By giving yourself a limitation, you’re forced to make certain sacrifices—grouping shapes together to create a clearer, stronger read.”
This limitation encourages artists to think critically about what is most important in their composition, helping them to simplify and unify their artwork.
Why Value Studies Matter More Than Color
Many artists believe that color is the most challenging part of painting, but often, the real issue lies in the composition and value structure. Mike emphasizes that a painting with strong shapes and values will succeed even if the colors are less than perfect.
He compares composition to the foundation of a house: no matter how beautiful the paint job, a weak foundation will cause problems. Conversely, a solid composition will hold a painting together and engage the viewer’s eye.
“Shape and value over color any day. Proper color can make it better, but in the end, solid bones in your composition are what make a painting work.”
Value studies help artists build those “solid bones” by focusing on the relationships between light and dark, proportion, and shape variety.
How to Approach a Notan Study
The beauty of Notan studies lies in their simplicity and flexibility. Mike often uses digital tools like an iPad or a Cintiq tablet for speed and ease of editing, but you can also do Notan studies with traditional media such as charcoal, gouache, or even a set of gray markers.
Here’s a step-by-step approach that Mike recommends:
- Start with simple shapes: Use a limited palette of two to four values. Begin by blocking in the largest masses—sky, water, land, or rock formations—without worrying about details.
- Focus on shape relationships: Look for how the shapes connect and contrast with each other. Avoid getting caught up in line drawings or textures at this stage.
- Explore proportions: Play with the balance of light and dark areas. Mike suggests avoiding a 50-50 split, favoring a “golden rule” proportion such as 70% shadow to 30% light, to create more visual interest.
- Group and simplify: Combine shapes where possible to reduce clutter. Grouping helps create rhythm and flow, making the composition easier to read.
- Adjust edges and flow: Use a mix of straight and curved lines to add variety and rhythm. Consider the “masculine” rigidity of rocks versus the “feminine” curves of trees to create poetic contrast.
- Experiment with variations: Create multiple Notan studies with different lighting and shape groupings to discover the most compelling design.
This process not only clarifies your composition but also frees you from the overwhelming complexity of color and detail early in the painting.
Practical Tips for Digital Painting with Notan Studies
Mike uses digital media extensively for his Notan studies, citing the speed and versatility of tools like Procreate or Photoshop. Here are some tips for digital artists:
- Use a stylus: Drawing with a stylus pen on a tablet or Cintiq is much more intuitive than using a mouse.
- Employ big brushes: Start with large, uncomfortably big brushes to block in shapes quickly, then refine with smaller brushes.
- Leverage layers: Digital layers allow you to experiment with different values and compositions without losing previous work.
- Flip your canvas: Regularly flip your artwork horizontally to see it with fresh eyes and catch compositional issues.
- Soften edges: Use smudge tools or soft brushes to blur certain edges, especially in natural elements like water or clouds, adding realism to the shapes.
Even if you prefer traditional media, these principles apply. Gouache, charcoal, or gray markers can be ideal for quick Notan sketches.
Shape, Rhythm, and Flow: The Heart of Composition
One of the key lessons Mike shares is the importance of shape variety and rhythm within your composition. The viewer’s eye is naturally drawn to contrasts and unique shapes, so your goal is to create a dynamic interplay between different sizes and angles.
Repetitive shapes or parallel edges can make a composition feel dull or busy. Instead, vary the thickness of lines, the angles of edges, and the sizes of shapes to keep the viewer’s eye moving through the artwork.
“Your eye loves variety. Unique shapes are important, so avoid too many similar shapes repeating. Mix angles and sizes to create interest.”
Mike also discusses the poetic quality of shapes—how the masculine rigidity of rocks can contrast beautifully with the feminine curves of trees and foliage. This interplay adds narrative depth and emotional resonance to your painting.
Balancing Light and Shadow: The Golden Rule
One of the most valuable insights from Mike’s approach is the idea of avoiding a 50-50 split between light and shadow. Instead, aim for an asymmetrical balance, such as 70% shadow and 30% light or vice versa.
This imbalance creates tension and focus, guiding the viewer’s eye to the areas of contrast and interest. Additionally, highlights—being the “mostly not there” parts—draw the most attention, so their shapes must be carefully designed and beautiful.
Mike demonstrates how to experiment with shifting the light and shadow proportions by adding imagined elements, like a shadow-casting rock, to see how it changes the composition’s mood and readability.
Why Grouping is Essential for Clarity
Grouping shapes together is a crucial technique for simplifying your composition and improving clarity. Notan studies force you to make sacrifices—eliminating unnecessary details and merging similar shapes into families.
Mike points out that many artists struggle because they include too much information, making their paintings cluttered and less readable. By grouping, you reduce visual noise and create a stronger, more unified design.
Grouping also helps in creating rhythm and flow, allowing shapes to connect and guide the viewer’s eye through the artwork seamlessly.
Applying Notan Studies to Final Paintings
Notan studies are not just academic exercises—they are practical tools that directly inform your final paintings. Mike uses Notan sketches to plan compositions for larger gouache or oil paintings, remembering the shape relationships, rhythm, and lighting contrasts he established in the studies.
By investing time in these value studies, you save effort in the painting stage and avoid common pitfalls related to composition and value confusion. Many artists find that their paintings become more confident and visually compelling after mastering Notan design.
Reflection and Edge Control
Mike also highlights the importance of reflections and edge control, especially in landscapes involving water and atmospheric effects. For instance, reflections on wet sand or water surfaces should be vertical and softly blended to enhance realism without distracting from the main shapes.
Softening certain edges while keeping others sharp adds depth and interest, a technique easily practiced in digital media but also achievable with gouache or watercolor.
Overcoming Creative Blocks with Daily Calisthenics
Mike likens Notan studies to calisthenics for artists—a daily workout that keeps your creative muscles strong. Regularly practicing these studies, even for a few minutes, can dramatically improve your ability to see and design with values.
This exercise encourages experimentation and helps break creative blocks by focusing on fundamental design principles rather than getting bogged down in details or color decisions.
Final Thoughts
Mastering Notan value studies is a transformative skill for any artist. By focusing on light and shadow, shape design, proportion, and rhythm, you create a strong foundation that elevates your entire painting process.
Whether you’re a beginner learning the basics or an experienced painter looking to refine your craft, integrating Notan studies into your routine will enhance your creative control and confidence.
As Mike Hernandez says, “You are not a slave to your subject. Use nature as a teacher but don’t be afraid to make design decisions that improve your composition.”
Start your own value study practice today—grab your sketchbook, tablet, or paints, and begin exploring the powerful world of Notan.
Resources and Next Steps
Consider exploring the online event Digital Painting Live on June 15, 2025, which will emphasize fundamental skills and creative growth. This immersive experiences can complement your Notan practice and accelerate your artistic journey.
Remember, the key to artistic growth is consistent practice and a willingness to experiment. Embrace the challenge of value studies and watch your art transform.
Become a Realism Today Ambassador for the chance to see your work featured in our newsletter, on our social media, and on this site.
