Value

Value is an element of art that refers to luminance or luminosity - the lightness or darkness of a color.

A Value Scale or a gray scale is a series of spaces filled with tints and shades of one color, starting with white or the lightest tint on one end and gradually changing into the darkest shade or black on the other end.

Gradation – a drawing or painting technique in which there is a gradual change from a ton/color into another tone/color.

You may use paint, pencil or any medium to create a value scale. Below is an example of a value scale using pencil and cross hatching.



Value Exercise:
            Create a 10 step value scale using black and white tempra paint. 


High-Key and Low-Key Value
High-Key Value is when you add white to a hue or color. This gives you different tints of the color.
Low-Key Value is when you add black to a color. This gives you different shades of the color.



Shadows & Highlights

Core Shadow – Darkest part of the object (usually vertical side away from light source)

Cast Shadow – The shadow that is cast from one form onto another

Reflected Light - Reflective light is the light that reflects from surfaces of forms onto other surfaces surrounding the form.  Reflective light is always located on a form’s shadow side. 

Highlight – The parts of the object that has the lightest tone/tint

 


Size & Proportions

Sighting – the measurement of figures/objects in a visual way between other figures/objects in the composition.

Scale – the proportion or ratio that defines the size relationships. (Models, architectural plans, maps and paintings/drawings all use scale to create the illusion of correct size relationships between objects and figures.

Proportion - the correct depiction of all the parts related to each other in a shape/form within a realistic painting or drawing.

      




Student Examples: