Valuing

It seemed like I had been painting and drawing for a very long time before I happened to take a class in soft pastel artwork and the instructor explained the importance of value. Value, in meaning the element of design that refers to the relationship between light and dark. It can also be referred to as tone when talking about black and white images or as when a light source shines on an object creating highlights and shadows. I think before that point I had no idea how very important that element was in reference to creating art, and it changed my process completely!…Mind blown!

In painting especially, but also with drawing and maybe some other forms of two dimensional artwork, sometimes it’s hard to know when to stop, or when the piece is finished, well now I think when the values are right, it’s probably finished! There needs to be a significant contrast between the light and dark to make it look like the reference subject if you’re attempting realism in your art. Sometimes I can check this with a value filter made of red acetate, or by taking a quick photo and using a black and white photo filter to see what it looks like without color. If parts are not showing up, too light or lost completely, it’s not done yet. How simple is that, I can’t believe I missed it for so long!

So always check your values, and have good values too, it’s important in your artwork, and in your life too I believe.