Being a great artist means having a strong foundation on tone or otherwise known as value. More than the colors you plan to use, the values you will create and employ in your work will determine whether your masterpiece will be successful or not.
What is value in art all about?
Value refers to the lightness and darkness of a color or hue.
It consists of white, black and everything else in between those two distinct colors. How do we determine how dark or light a color should be?
It all depends on where we are looking at a particular color. Think of it this way: the closer something is to the foreground, the darker its color should be. Conversely, anything receding away from it should fade slowly into the horizon.
Value is applied in art to create the illusion of depth, space, mood and atmosphere. Subject matters appear more realistic and life-like as areas of light and darkness create three-dimensionality. Learning how to create value is essential on your road to becoming an artist.
It consists of white, black and everything else in between those two distinct colors. How do we determine how dark or light a color should be?
It all depends on where we are looking at a particular color. Think of it this way: the closer something is to the foreground, the darker its color should be. Conversely, anything receding away from it should fade slowly into the horizon.
Value is applied in art to create the illusion of depth, space, mood and atmosphere. Subject matters appear more realistic and life-like as areas of light and darkness create three-dimensionality. Learning how to create value is essential on your road to becoming an artist.
How to create a value scale
A value scale is a system of organized color values. It usually consists of nine squares starting from white to black with several shades of grey in the middle. Here's how to create one on your own.
But first! You have to ready a sheet of quality paper, some great pencils (we prefer HB, 2B, 4B and 6B pencils you can easily buy from the bookstore) and a quality eraser.
Using a ruler, create equally-sized and distanced squares on your paper similar to the illustration below. 1 x 1 inch-squares should be ideal.
But first! You have to ready a sheet of quality paper, some great pencils (we prefer HB, 2B, 4B and 6B pencils you can easily buy from the bookstore) and a quality eraser.
Using a ruler, create equally-sized and distanced squares on your paper similar to the illustration below. 1 x 1 inch-squares should be ideal.
To help you establish the value gradations with ease, we suggest you start with the lightest value on square 1, the darkest on square 9 and a middle value on square 5. This will help you be more accurate in darkening your lightening the remaining squares in your scale.
Once you arrive at this, it will be easier for you to adjust your values. Start at square 2 or 8 - anywhere you like!
Here's are some helpful tips for you.
Since it might be a little difficult for you to create slight gradations within your neighboring squares (keep in mind that they should be similar to each other when side by side), try squinting your eyes and take a look at your squares. The values in your neighboring squares should seem like they are merging together.
Another tip is to use a kneaded eraser. It is special type of eraser you can form into different shapes to help you adjust your values quickly. For instance, if you have to lighten an entire square, you just need to flatten your kneaded eraser and apply it very lightly on the square.
Pretty soon after doing tons of practice, it will be very easy for you to arrive at a value scale similar to the illustration below:
Here's are some helpful tips for you.
Since it might be a little difficult for you to create slight gradations within your neighboring squares (keep in mind that they should be similar to each other when side by side), try squinting your eyes and take a look at your squares. The values in your neighboring squares should seem like they are merging together.
Another tip is to use a kneaded eraser. It is special type of eraser you can form into different shapes to help you adjust your values quickly. For instance, if you have to lighten an entire square, you just need to flatten your kneaded eraser and apply it very lightly on the square.
Pretty soon after doing tons of practice, it will be very easy for you to arrive at a value scale similar to the illustration below:
A quick history on value scales
The nine-square value scale is something we borrow all the way back in 1907. The value scale you're seeing above is one by Denman Ross. The values, samples and value names he devised set the color stand we still use today. As it was intended, this scale was designed to help artists in identifying light, mid-tones and darks easily.
The importance of value and tone in art
Just like what we said earlier, value in art is more important to the success of your painting than mere color. Your paintings and drawings won't achieve any semblance of realism if mood and lightning is not taken into major consideration.
Value is important in art because it creates a focal point within our painting or drawing. Just like in art composition, the human eye moves very rapidly and it is immediately drawn to an area where there is a light or dark element. How you handle lightness and darkness in your artwork will create the focal point of interest.
Value is important in art because it creates a focal point within our painting or drawing. Just like in art composition, the human eye moves very rapidly and it is immediately drawn to an area where there is a light or dark element. How you handle lightness and darkness in your artwork will create the focal point of interest.
Appreciating value scales applied in real art
Check out these artworks below that we hope will help you exercise your eyes in comparing values and identify even the subtle value changes.
Your chance to learn!
Creating value scales and applying them properly to your drawings or paintings is one of our core lessons here at Art Smart. Learn more important skills with us as you build you foundation in art. Check out our schedules below of our art classes for your reference:
For class bookings, reservations and other inquiries, do not hesitate to call us at 0915-5948191, 0917-8784766 or (02)7886766.
Photo sources:
www.thedrawingsource.com
www.makingamark.blogspot.com
www.artisun.blogspot.com
www.paintdrawpaint.com
wwww.allykatz.deviantart.com
www.feuilledepapier.deviantart.com
www.artroominations.blogspot.com
www.foundationsartmrhs.blogspot.com
www.thedrawingsource.com
www.makingamark.blogspot.com
www.artisun.blogspot.com
www.paintdrawpaint.com
wwww.allykatz.deviantart.com
www.feuilledepapier.deviantart.com
www.artroominations.blogspot.com
www.foundationsartmrhs.blogspot.com
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