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Notan is a Japanese word that means “dark and light.”  It is the art of noticing how shapes and spaces work together. What is there and what is not there, light and dark, presence and absence. Every shape has a partner and when they come together, they create harmony and balance. Using just two colors , you can make designs that are simple, striking, and full of visual magic. The best part? It is easy and fun. Fold, cut, flip , and watch your symmetrical design appear like magic! By exploring Notan, you will practice cutting and folding while discovering how opposites work together  in art. Patterns, balance, and creativity all come alive. To see the full Notan lesson and step-by-step guide , you can purchase and download the complete resource. Perfect for art classrooms, homeschool projects, or anyone who wants a deeper dive into creating bold Notan designs. Instant download so you can start creating right away. If you enjoyed this lesson, explore more creative art ideas and mentoring opportunities at SoBudd.

What are Thumbnail sketches? Thumbnail sketches are basically shorthand for artists. Quick drawings made with no corrections or details. Thumbnail Sketches or rough drafts are used to help visualize the look of a work of art, gather ideas and create an interesting composition. These are usually done quickly no bigger than a couple inches in any direction. Thumbnail sketches are NOT detailed drawings! Keep these things in mind when getting started on thumbnail sketching. Use thumbnail sketches to explore ideas Think about proportion and composition Make sure you work fast and don't invest too much time in each one Keep them simple, no details just shapes, values and forms Shop Sophia's Art! Sophia is a contemporary artist and art educator creating vibrant, expressive work that blends abstraction and figurative elements to tell emotionally rich stories. Her art is rooted in movement, energy, and connection, inviting viewers to experience color and form in a deeply personal way. Read more about Sophia here.

A contour is the line which defines a form, edge or outline. Contour drawing is the place where most beginning artists start. So basically a contour line drawing is an "outline drawing," that uses no shading. You are following the visible edges of a shape. A contour drawing is done when the artist looks intently at the EDGES of an object, but rarely looks at the paper while the pencil moves. The goal of a contour drawing is to make a line that is authentic and true to what you are actually seeing, and to train your hand to copy your eye's movement. Each contour drawing will be individual and unique. There are several different types of contour line drawings and I will show my favorite examples of each! BLIND CONTOUR This is one of my favorites by February James. 'Blind contour drawing' is when contour drawing is done without looking at the paper AT ALL. This helps train you to look more often at your subject than look at your paper. Staring down at your paper while drawing can be a hard habit to break~ Each drawing is one of a kind! Here are some by February James CONTINUOUS CONTOUR LINE "Continuous line contour drawing' is a contour drawing done without picking your pencil off of the paper. It is essentially done with one long line. Continuous line contour drawings can be done 100% "blind" or not. Here are some rad examples by Belgium Artist Kris Trappeniers MODIFIED CONTOUR LINE A "modified contour line drawing" allows you to look at your paper and pick up your pen, using multiple lines instead of one. Although not completely blind, the artist should only look at the paper 10% of the time, and at the object 90% of the time. The artist only looks at the paper to place their pencil when they start a new line. Contour drawings use no shading, but lighter and darker tonal areas can be "suggested" by varying line width and pressure. Darker, thicker lines can be used in shadow areas, and lighter, thinner lines in lighter areas. Examples from pinterest CROSS-CONTOUR Cross contour lines are drawn lines which travel, as the name suggests, across the form. Cross contours follow the form of the surface area- using curved lines over curving or spherical planes, straight lines across flat surfaces, etc. Cross contour drawing of a shell by Matt Louscher WHY DO CONTOUR DRAWING? So you can develop good hand-eye coordination which is KEY when learning to draw. With regular practice, contour drawing exercises will help train your hand to follow your eye's movements and develop the right brain (creative side!) muscles. This help it become more assertive and aware of the observable balance the left brain's tendency to standardize, generalize, and simplify everything, which creates stereotypical ways of seeing and drawing. HOW TO DO IT While you draw, look at the object 90% of the time (100% of the time if doing a BLIND contour). Look only at your paper when you are ready to make a new line on your paper and you are checking where to place it. Concentrate on practicing your hand-eye coordination instead of worrying about the look of your drawing. Go as slowly as a Sloth. Close one eye while you draw. Detail, detail, detail! Capture edges only, but capture as much information as you can! Capture every nook and cranny on paper. Each and every edge, crack, line, wrinkly, etc. that is possible to SEE. SOME HELPFUL VIDEOS I LIKE TO SHOW MY STUDENTS IF THEY WERE ABSENT DURING INSTRUCTION OR JUST NEED AN EXTRA BOOST TO GET STARTED. (One day I will record myself teaching...but until then...) Contour Drawing Blind Contour Drawing Cross Contour Drawing Sophia is a contemporary artist and art educator creating vibrant, expressive work that blends abstraction and figurative elements to tell emotionally rich stories. Her art is rooted in movement, energy, and connection, inviting viewers to experience color and form in a deeply personal way. Read more about Sophia here. If you enjoyed this lesson, explore more creative art ideas and mentoring opportunities at SoBudd.

Discover Sophia Buddenhagen, a Houston contemporary artist known for abstract expression art influenced by surf, skate, and global experiences designed to energize and elevate any space. Original contemporary paintings, art prints, and custom commissions by artist Sophia Buddenhagen. Sophia is a contemporary artist based in Houston, Texas, blending figurative and abstract expression with a vibrant, modern edge. Her work channels movement, emotion, and storytelling through dynamic shapes, layered textures, and energetic color. Influenced by the Gulf Coast, skate culture, and the Texas desert, her paintings reflect a distinctly Texas contemporary art perspective. Shop Prints Creative Mentoring FAVORITES Quick View All Things Are Difficult Before They Are Easy Mini Print Quick View Yee Haw Mini - Coastal Cowgirl Skater Quick View White Heart Abstract Mini Print Quick View Do Epic Shit Mini Print Quick View I’M Okay Mini Print Quick View Howdy - Coastal Cowgirl Surfer Mini Quick View Yes Girl You Can Abstract Mini Print Quick View No Risk No Magic Mini WHAT PEOPLE SAY M. Espinosa I commissioned Sophia to do a portrait of flamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico. It is the birthplace of my father. She included my grandfather, as well as my dad‘s picture and also had me write the history of my family. She carefully added that to the painting. Her vision and creativity are God-given. Every piece of work that she creates leaves an imprint of her heart. If you can, you must invest in her work. M. Valdez Sophia’s art is hung all throughout my home… the pieces make me feel like life is more fun when I catch glimpses of them. They are full of good energy. I work as an interior designer and I love that Sophia is extremely professional - deadlines actually mean something to her and she is always communicative and on time! I highly recommend her! A. Barnes I’m so happy with my painting. It’s even more beautiful in person, and the care and emotion in the work truly shine through. I’m grateful to have this piece of art in my home. Sophia is a truly talented artist with a wonderful eye for creating exceptional pieces. E. Hernández-López Sophia's work revitalizes you with passion and creativity. Her brilliance in combining charcoals and pastels literally makes you look at your immediate surroundings in a more present way. You start paying attention to textures and the vivid colors in your life. It is sensational to be surrounded by her work. In some peculiar way, it just makes you proud to be a Texan and makes country songs sound even better. Book a Creative Mentoring session with Sophia

Personalized art mentoring for adults and teens, develop your painting and drawing skills, explore new ideas, and learn how to share your art with confidence. One on One Creative Consult This session is ideal for artists who want deeper support. We can focus on: painting and drawing techniques refining your style and creative direction developing a body of work preparing for exhibitions, applications, or sharing your work professionally You will leave with clear next steps and a practical plan you can use. $150 | 60-90 minutes Book Now Creative Support and Mentoring With 29 years of experience teaching art to teens and adults in both public school and private settings, and with experience selling and exhibiting my work in a variety of venues as well as licensing my artwork to major companies, I offer supportive, personalized sessions to help you move forward with confidence. Whether you are exploring new ideas, building your skills in painting and drawing, or learning how to get your art out into the world, each session is tailored to your goals, your schedule, and your creative path. Quick Creative Check In A short, focused session for one specific question or challenge. This is perfect if you need help with: a painting or drawing problem a creative block feedback on a current piece or body of work questions about presenting or promoting your work $75 | 30-45 minutes Book Now Artistic Growth Sessions Designed for artists who want ongoing support and momentum. These sessions focus on: building strong painting and drawing skills developing a portfolio exploring new ideas and projects growing confidence in sharing your work with galleries, schools, clients, or online This package is also great for longer projects or creative blocks that need consistent attention. $400 | A package of four 60 minute sessions Book Now BOOK ONLINE

Have questions or ideas? Contact Sophia Buddenhagen for art commissions, partnerships, or just to say hello! Contact Sophia First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!