VALUEThe Elements of Art Series

The Visual Art AcademyCopyright 2018

The Visual Art AcademyCopyright 2018

Value is an Element of Art. Value in art is the lightness or darkness of a color, tone or shade. Since we can only see objects because of light, we see objects and understand objects because of how dark or light they are, value is very important to art and the use all all mediums.

What is a value in art?

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Value Scale Also known as a Gradient

The value scale above shows a range of 8 values from white to black with all of the grey in between.

As you can see, the changes from light to dark are gradual. Depending the the amount of value changes needed, a value scale may contain many more or fewer squares.

White Black

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Using Value

Using a value scale while we work can help an artist to identify the range of values they will use in their work.

If we take the color out of the photo of the orange, it get’s easier to see value changes because we can better see the white, black and all they grey in-between.

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Let’s breakdown the 8 values we see in the photo of the orange.

Determining Value On Objects

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2 Dimensional Shape without the use of value.

3 Dimensional Form with the use of value.

Using the element of value gives artwork variety and interest. It also gives objects the illusion of 3 dimensional form.

Using Value In Artwork

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Using value basically creates the illusion of highlights and shadows. Using highlights and shadows combine to create the illusion of a light source (the lightest area of an object.) Without light we cannot see. We need the light source for the illusion of 3 dimensional form to happen in artwork.

This is why value is mentioned so frequently on The Visual Art Academy website, in the art lessons, lesson plans, blog posts and pages.pages on this website.  It's important.  If you understand and implement value correctly in your drawings and paintings, you will see immediate improvement.  Value is essential to success.

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The 5 Areas of LightLight Source - The direction and place the light is coming from in a photograph or piece of artwork.

High Light - The lightest area on an object (White) where the light bounces off of that object.

Shadow - Opposite side of an object where the light source would be. Dark grey to black in tone.

Cast Shadow - The shadow which is cast by the object. The darkest of tones (Black) and gradually fades to lighter tones.

Reflected Light - Light that bounces off of the surface the object is sitting on to create a reflection next to the object’s shadowed area.

Midtone - Tonal value mid-way between highlight and shadow

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5 Areas of Light On Different

ShapesA - Highlight

B - Mid-tone

C - Shadow

D - Reflected Light

E - Cast Shadow

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Use value to shade a value scale such as the one pictured. Make 10 squares and have each square reflect the value changes.

Value Exercise

White Black

Now it’s your turn!

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Draw a sphere, cube, cone and cylinder so that the shapes overlap in places to create an interesting composition.

Determine which side of the page your light source is coming from.

Use a variety of values to shade the shapes to give them the illusion of form.