Values within your paintings and drawings...They are a tool...So use them.

When people start out painting or drawings they learn about values. It's like art class 101. Tenets like value change = form change and what not are spewed at budding artists and then basically applied or in a loose way and then almost put out of mind. While the rule of values is used, most artists out there jump into color and use values in a way that is very secondary. I've always been moved by pencil drawings which are entirely dependent on value for their brilliance. I draw in pencil and marker a lot and do most of my value studies that way. Gray scale artwork even in painting is beautiful to me and I paint in gray scale a lot, even when doing a color piece I start that way and work in gray scale until I have the values and light locked in pretty well. The foundation of my work is value. Now when applying value within artwork the new student or budding artist often says I know value change equals form change but how to I know what values go where. While this comes from experience and application, it is also made easier by adopting the mindset that values are not placed within artwork to be correct with nature. Obviously we use nature's example as a guideline but when applying values and light within your work, they are used as a tool to help you describe, form, lighting, distance, depth, and even atmosphere. You use value, you don't let it dictate to you. One simple thing I began to do years ago was to, after getting a sketch or drawing down as a guide, I would use a neutral gray wash to knock the white back so that my painting started at a neutral point from which it was easy to block in the shadows and then the gross lighting without approaching the hot white point-which should be one of the last things you put in. Don't put in whites and full blacks too early, start gray and describe you forms out from there with subtle values or gradations and then put your whites and blacks in as needed. After yous values are set it is easy to add a base color wash over the top and then starting to add the colors within. The values can perspectives can be reinforced with color choices here and the entire painting is strengthened by color usage over the values. If the values are correct before the color is added, the color 'pass' is a relatively easy and short step because the thought work has mostly been done. By painting in value we are focusing entirely on painting light which is the foundation of all good painting, hence it's easier and better not to confuse things and focus purely on painting light before making color choices. So start with the lights off or dimmed within a painting apply light where it needs to go to tel your story and describe objects within the painting, then turn the lights on gradually finally add color. Eventually you'll get to the point when you can sometimes paint in color and use value effectively at the same time, but getting a good foundation in value usage first cannot be skipped as it will impart those foundation skills in painting pure light through the use of luminosity that you need to be experienced with before consolidating your processes together. I sometimes start in color, but mostly I still paint exclusively in value and then apply color both when working digitally or traditionally. Same principles apply no matter the medium. So go grab your value scales and light up you paintings in an expressive way, tell stories with light, and most importantly leads the viewers' eye with light within your work. By taking the extra step you will find that you paint in a more effective and even refined manner. Best Wishes! D