What is value? Value is the lightness or darkness of something.

Value creates all form. Not color. Color has to have value, but value does not have to have color.

Without changes in lightness and darkness, everything would appear flat and blend together. Combinations of gradual and/or abrupt changes in value determine a shapes three-dimensional qualities and/or distinguishes edges.

Basic Shapes

To create form you must depict the proper patterns and range of values created by light on the surface of objects.

On a rounded forms, the patterns of light can be understood as having 5 to 6 distinct characteristics.

Highlight - is the lightest value on the surface of the object and is located on the point closest to and most directly facing the light source. Light - is the gradual darkening of value from the highlight. It happens because the surface of the object is gradually moving away from the light source. Shadow - is the further darkening of value on the surface of the object as it curves further away from the light source Core Shadow - is the darkest concentration of value on the object. It is on the surface of the object that faces away from the light source. Reflected Light - is a lighter value than the core shadow. It is often located between the core shadow and the edge of the form farthest from the light source. It can never be as light as a highlight. Reflected Shadow - is usually located on the underneath side of a spherical form where it sits on a surface. The value is usually on the underneath edge of the object where the objects makes contact with the surface it sits on. It goes from the edge of contact and diminishes into the reflected light.

Highlight Light Shadow Reflected Light Core Shadow Reflected Shadow

Surfaces comprised of flat planes often have abrupt changes in value. Forms made up of planes must have at least two distinct values among the planes, depending on the point of view. A cube shown in three dimensions will usually depict three planes. The values on the planes will be: Light Plane- the plane most directly facing the light source will be the lightest in value. Dark Plane - This plane is not necessarily very dark, but it is the darkest of the three. Middle Plane - This plane will be darker than the light plane but not as dark as the darkest plane. It is darker because the plane is not directly facing the light source.

Reflected Shadow Highlight Light Plane Middle Plane Dark Plane Light Shadow Core Shadow Reflected Light

On any objects with planes, the value is always a little darker on the edge of the dark plane where it touches the lighter plane.

Stanton McDonald-Wright “Conceptions Synchronomy” Differences in value define the edges of the shapes from one another. Even though there are many different colors, it is the contrast in value that makes the shapes standout from one another.

Diego Rivera “Agrarian Leader Zapata” 1931 In this stylized painting, the simplified forms have some sense of roundness because of gradual changes in value. Because of the limited range of value, the forms appear much flatter than in real life.

N. C. Wyeth “The Alchemist” 1938 In this painting, the figures and other forms are much more three dimensional in appearance. This is because there is a much greater range in values used to depict form. Wyeth also fully used the characteristic values found on rounded forms and forms made of planes.

Highlight Shadow Core Shadow Reflected Light Light

Lighter Plane Darker Plane Darker Edge