Value
LIGHT, DARK, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
Value (as an element of art) refers to the relative lightness or darkness of a color or of black. Value is what gives a shape the appearance of three-dimensional form; using a range of values to render an object will help you suggest highlights, shadows, curves, corners, and textures.
When working with colorless media (such as pencil) or variations of one color, you rely entirely on value to represent your subject. That being said, it is extremely important to record values accurately. To do this, try squinting at your subject, which will help you break it down into simple shapes of value while minimizing distracting detail. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the range of value you can produce with your medium. Do this by creating a value scale (as simulated below)—simply work from lightest to darkest on a length of paper.
Value scale in graphite
Value scale in watercolor
Value also plays an invaluable role in works of art that incorporate color. Below is a series of illustrations by artist Joseph Stoddard that show how value helps a viewer “read” a painting. In example A, the watercolor sketch displays accurate colors and accurate values. Example B has correct colors but incorrect values, and example C has incorrect colors but correct values. Of examples B and C, which is more dynamic? Although we know most trees aren’t red, hillsides aren’t royal purple, and skies aren’t yellow, the eye is still drawn to and pleased by the clarity and value variety in example C. —ETG
A
B
C
A NOTE FROM THE ARTIST
“My friend Marilyn Simandle (a great watercolorist and oil painter) told me that color gets all the credit, but value does all the work. I have shared this with all my classes ever since.” —Joseph Stoddard