Value An Element of Art

Value What is value? Value is how light or dark an object is (or appears to be) Value makes objects appear 3-D when they are truly 2-D (flat)

Value Can… Create CONTRAST – the difference between light and dark Create FORM– the illusion of 3D shapes Create TEXTURE – the surface quality of an object Create VARIATION – using different values to create interest in an art piece; variation in value helps “set the mood” of the piece

Value Creating Contrast The light hands next to the dark background creates contrast

Value creates the sense of eggs on otherwise flat paper Value Creating Form Value creates the sense of eggs on otherwise flat paper

Value Creating Texture Value creates the cat’s fur

Value Creating Variety The use of different values in the same drawing creates variety

Drawing Value Value scales are named by how many boxes there are Below is a six-part value scale One of the most common ways to learn about value is to make a value scale

Tools & Materials GRAPHITE CHARCOAL CONTE CRAYON INK PENS Charcoal Pencil Vine Charcoal CONTE CRAYON INK PENS Illustration (mm) Pen & Ink (India Ink) GRAPHITE RANGES: 6H, 4H, 2H, F, HB B, 2B, 4B, 6B TORTILLION/ STUMP (ESTOMPE) ERASERS Rubber (Pink Pearl) Gum Art Eraser Kneaded Eraser White Vinyl Eraser

Creating Value SHADING Use the side of your pencil and a tortillion/blender to bring a range of tones to a drawing

Creating Value HATCHING Distinct parallel lines close or far in distance to one another to mimic shading Not scribbling, precise and intentional

Creating Value CROSS-HATCHING Distinct parallel lines and a second set of lines overlapping to create further value Usually on a diagonal

Creating Value STIPPLING Small dots close together to form dark value and further in distance to create light value Methodical not random points

Curvature When drawing, it’s important to make sure your shading follows the form If your shading doesn’t follow the form, it will visually flatten what you worked so hard to make appear 3D

3 VALUE SCALES Instructions Use a new paper in your sketchbook, a ruler, and a H pencil Create 3 rectangles that are 2” x 8” each 2” wide 8” long

Next Step… Use the ruler to divide the box into 1” compartments (You’ll have 8) Hatching (watch demonstration) Shading 3) Grey Scales (paper)

Shading Starting with the second box of your top strip, create the lightest value you can I recommend going SLOWLY and using your 4H pencil Make it close to white, but a little darker Like this!

Value Scales Continued Continue this process for each square, making it a little darker than the one before it Your last square should be as dark as you can make it, without pushing hard Don’t push so hard you make it “shiny” or break your pencil, rip your paper, etc.