1. Value
The Elements of Design

2. Value Value refers to how dark or light a surface appears.
The value of a surface depends on the amount of light that reflects from the surface to our eyes. Light values are the result of most of the light being reflected; dark values are the result of most of the light being absorbed. Value is affected by two factors: the hue (colour) of a surface, and the lighting situation.

3. Value Value is affected by two factors:
1. Hue - Different colours reflect different amounts of light, and therefore have different values:
Yellow reflects the most light and therefore has the lightest value of the colours.
Violet absorbs the most light and therefore has the darkest value of the colours.
A greyscale is a system of showing a range of neutral tones or values. Each colour on the spectrum has a corresponding value.

4. Value Value is affected by two factors:
Lighting Situation - The amount of light that is reflected from an object, and therefore its apparent value, is also affected by the direction and intensity of the light that is shining on it. Any 3D object will have highlights and shadows, even if the object is all one colour. These values can be used to create the illusion of 3D form on a 2D surface:

5. Value
To create the illusion of 3D form with colour, the highlights are created with tints of the colour, and the shadows are created with shades of the colour. Cast shadows should be created with a shade of the colour of the surface the shadow falls on.

6. Value Exercise
Step 1 – Draw a grid like the one on the right on to your value page in your sketchbook. Mix and paint in five colours in one row of the grid. Organize them fronm light to dark.
Step 2 - Mix greys with white and black to match the values of each colour and paint them in the other row of the grid.
Step 3 – Draw a circle about the size of an apple or a large orange on your sketchbook page. Turn the circle into a sphere with one colour plus its tints and shades. Include a cast shadow. Tip: you probably will want to practice this somewhere else in your sketchbook for attempting the “good” one.