Understanding Value in Art
In art, “value” refers to how light or dark a color (or shade) is. It’s separate from the color itself. Think of it this way: value is what you’d see in a black-and-white photograph. The different grays represent different values.
Value is important because it’s how artists create contrast, depth, and a sense of form. By using different values, artists can create mood, atmosphere, and realism in their work.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the definition and importance of value in art, explore some techniques for using value effectively, and provide some examples of value in art from master artists.
Defining Value and Its Relationship to Other Art Elements
Value is one of the key elements of art, and it’s helpful to understand what it is and how it works with other artistic building blocks.
What is Value?
Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color or area within a work of art. Think of it as existing on a grayscale, from the purest white to the deepest black, with every shade of gray in between.
Value is related to color, but it’s not the same thing. A single color, or hue, can have many different values. For example, you can have a light blue, a medium blue, or a dark blue – all the same hue, but each with a different value.
Value and the Elements of Art
Value interacts with the other elements of art in interesting ways.
- Connection to Line: Value helps define edges and create outlines. Where a light area meets a dark area, that contrast creates a line.
- Value and Shape: Variations in value are what give shapes the illusion of three-dimensional form. Think of how shading on a sphere makes it look round.
- Value and Texture: Different values can simulate different textures. A rough texture might have a lot of contrast between light and dark areas, while a smooth texture might have more subtle variations.
The Value Scale: A Critical Tool for Artists
The value scale is a visual representation of the range of tones, from white to black, that an artist uses in their work. Think of it as a ladder of shades. Some scales have 5 steps, some have 9, but they all give you a way to organize the different levels of light and dark.
Artists use the value scale to figure out the right tones for their artwork. It helps them to see how light or dark different parts of a scene are in relation to each other.
You can even make your own value scale with pencils or paint. Start with pure white and pure black. Then, mix shades that fall in between. When you’re done, you’ll have a reference tool that can help you translate what you see into what you create.
The importance of accurate values
If you want to paint realistically, you need to accurately represent value. That means carefully observing how light and shadow play on the surfaces of objects.
Accurate values give a painting a sense of depth and volume. They make it look real. Inaccurate values, on the other hand, can flatten an image and make it less interesting.
Value is also a powerful compositional tool. Artists use value to guide the viewer’s eye around the painting. High contrast areas, for example, naturally draw the viewer’s attention.
In short, understanding and using value effectively is critical to creating compelling art.
How Value is Used in Art: Key Effects
Artists use value, or the lightness or darkness of a color, to create different effects in their work.
Creating Contrast
Juxtaposing light and dark values creates contrast. High contrast, with its dramatic interplay of light and shadow, is often used to emphasize important elements in a composition. Low contrast, on the other hand, uses subtle value changes to create a soft, atmospheric effect, evoking a sense of calm or mystery.
Establishing Mood and Atmosphere
Value plays a crucial role in setting the mood of a piece. High-key values, dominated by light tones, create a bright and cheerful atmosphere, often associated with optimism and airiness. Conversely, low-key values, with their predominantly dark tones, evoke a somber, mysterious, or dramatic mood, often linked to darkness, night, and introspection.
Defining Form and Space
Value variations are essential for creating the illusion of three-dimensionality on a two-dimensional surface. By carefully manipulating value, artists can make objects appear to have form and volume. Additionally, lighter values tend to recede into the background, while darker values come forward, creating a sense of spatial depth and defining the relationships between objects in the composition.
Techniques for Creating Value
Artists use a variety of techniques to create value in their work:
Shading
Shading is the most common way to portray differences in value. Two popular shading methods are:
- Smooth shading, in which gradual transitions between values create soft, realistic forms
- Hatching, in which parallel lines are used to create value
Cross-hatching
Cross-hatching is a method of shading that relies on overlapping lines to create darker values. The density of the lines determines the value.
Stippling
Stippling uses dots to create value. As with cross-hatching, the more dots you use, the darker the value will be.
Chiaroscuro
Chiaroscuro (Italian for “light-dark”) is a technique in which light and dark are used in a dramatic way to create strong contrasts. Chiaroscuro creates a sense of drama and volume.
The works of the Baroque painter Caravaggio are excellent examples of chiaroscuro. Two notable examples are:
- The Denial of St. Peter
- Saint Jerome Writing
Examples of Value in Art: Master Artists
Value, as we’ve discussed, is a powerful tool in the artist’s kit. To really grasp its impact, let’s look at how some masters have wielded it to stunning effect.
Claude Monet: Impressionism and High-Key Values
Monet, a cornerstone of Impressionism, is celebrated for capturing the ephemeral dance of light and color. His genius lies in translating fleeting moments onto canvas, and value plays a crucial role in this.
Monet frequently employed high-key values, creating bright, sun-drenched scenes that shimmer with life. Two excellent examples are:
- “Waterloo Bridge, London, at Sunset”: This painting beautifully demonstrates high-key values, evoking the hazy, luminous atmosphere of a London sunset.
- “Flowered Riverbank, Argenteuil”: Here, Monet uses bright, airy values to depict a serene riverbank scene, filled with light and a sense of tranquility.
John Singer Sargent: Capturing Atmosphere with Value
Sargent, a master portraitist and watercolorist, possessed an uncanny ability to capture atmosphere and mood. He skillfully manipulated value to create depth, drama, and a sense of psychological realism.
While Monet leaned towards high-key values, Sargent was equally adept at using low-key values, particularly in his interior scenes and portraits. Consider:
- “A Dinner Table at Night”: This painting is a prime example of Sargent’s use of low-key values. The subtle gradations of light and shadow create a sense of intimacy, mystery, and quiet drama.
Albrecht Dürer: Value Contrast and Detail
Dürer, a towering figure of the Northern Renaissance, is renowned for his meticulous and detailed engravings. His mastery of value is evident in the incredible depth and form he achieved in his intricate compositions.
Dürer masterfully employed value contrast, using stark differences between light and dark to create a sense of three-dimensionality and visual interest. A quintessential example is:
- “Saint Jerome in His Study”: This engraving showcases Dürer’s virtuosity in using value to create a detailed and atmospheric scene. The interplay of light and shadow brings the scene to life, highlighting the textures and details of the objects and figures within the study.
Wrapping Up
Value, the lightness or darkness of colors, is a fundamental element of art. It’s what gives a piece contrast, depth, form, and atmosphere.
If you’re an artist who wants to create compelling, believable work, understanding value is essential. One of the best things you can do to improve your skills is to study the work of the masters, paying close attention to how they used value to create the effects they wanted. You can also practice different value techniques yourself.
While value is a technical skill, it’s also a powerful way to express emotion and convey meaning in art. By carefully considering the values you use, you can add layers of depth and complexity to your work, making it more engaging and impactful for viewers.