Value

objective: students will understand and practice rendering three-dimensional form using a full range of values.

What is value?

Value is an element of design defined as the LIGHTS and DARKS in an artwork. Value can refer to black, white and ranges of grays or it can refer to color and the lights (tints) and darks (shades) of that color.

Artists use values to translate the light and shadows they see into shading, thus creating the illusion of a third-dimension.

A full range of values is the basic ingredient for a realistically shaded drawing. When you shade a drawing using many values- from white to black and all the grays in between- you will add depth and realism to your image.

assignment 1: value scale and stuart davis cubist drawing.

For this assignment, you will be asked to create a VALUE SCALE with a total of 8 values- from white to black. Along with the value scale you will create an ABSTRACT CUBIST design. You will shade in each shape of your cubist design using a different value from your value scale.

setting up your paper:

Using a ruler, draw a box that is 8 inches wide by 11 inches tall.
Draw your 8x11 box with a two inch border on either side and a two inch border at the top.
At the bottom of your paper, make a box that is 8 inches wide by 1 inch tall.
Draw your 1x8 box with a two inch border on either side and a two inch border at the bottom of the paper.
Divide your 1x8 box into 8 1"x1" boxes.
Shade each of the 8 1x1 boxes a different value- from white to black.

abstract cubist design:

In your 8x11" box, create an abstract cubist design in the style of artist Stuart Davis.
Fill your box with a variety of different geometric and organic shapes. Vary the size and placement of your shapes. Try overlapping your shapes for added interest.
Shade in all of your shapes with different values.
Your drawing should have a FULL RANGE OF VALUE- meaning, you should incorporate each of the 8 values you created in your value scale- from with to black with all the middle grays in between.
Shade neatly to create smooth values- your shading shouldn't be "sketchy" looking.

assessment:

assignment 2: shading geometric forms

how to shade a 3-d form:

Your assignment:

In your sketchbook, draw a cube, sphere, cylinder, and cone. Shade each to make them appear 3-dimensional. Your drawings should contain a full range of values (from white, to middle grays, to black).

Label each drawing to show the light source, the highlight, the mid-tones, the core shadow, and the cast shadow.

assessment:

assignment 3: apple drawing

For this assignment, you will have to realistically draw and shade an apple to make it appear 3-D. Then, you will eat the apple and draw the apple core, again shading it to make it appear realistic and 3-D.

assessment:

assignment 4: final still life drawing

For this assignment, you will create a large pencil drawing of a still life, using a full range of value to create the illusion of 3-D form.

steps to drawing a still life:

Draw in shapes using line.
Try to simplify shapes into easily recognizable geometric shapes.
Lightly sketch out the shapes so you can easily erase and adjust your lines.

"Clean-up" your drawing.
Erase any overlapping lines.
Go over your original light, sketchy lines with more defined lines.

LIGHTLY draw in marks indicating where major shadows or highlights are located.

Begin lightly shading in value.
Look for your light source, try to identify highlight areas, mid-tones, and core shadows.

Add in your cast shadows and tonal areas around your objects.

Go back to your objects and start darkening you shadow areas to increase the contrast.

Go back to your cast shadows and background areas and darken your shadow areas to increase contrast.