Value as an Element of Art. Part 1. What is value?

Art with Kunstler

19 Sept 202006:13

Summary

TLDRThis video script delves into the concept of value in art, focusing on how light and darkness create depth and dimension. It explains that the amount of light reflected by a surface determines its value, which is influenced by factors like the light source's brightness and position, the surface's color and texture, and the angle at which it faces the light. The script also discusses how reflected light and background values affect perception. It introduces the Denman Rose nine-step value scale, illustrating how values transition from white to black, and emphasizes the importance of value in making artwork appear three-dimensional.

Takeaways

🔆 Value in art refers to the lightness and darkness in an artwork, determined by the amount of light reflected from a surface.
💡 The light source's brightness and position significantly affect the value of objects, influencing how we perceive them as light or dark.
🌑 Black represents the absence of light, while white signifies the maximum reflection, with a range of values in between.
🎨 The angle at which a surface faces the light source changes its value, allowing us to distinguish different sides of an object.
🌈 Reflected light from the environment, including the ground and walls, affects the value of objects, especially when they are in close proximity.
🖼️ Background value can make the same object appear lighter or darker, depending on the contrast with its surroundings.
🌟 The texture and reflective properties of a surface play a role in how it reflects light, thus impacting its perceived value.
📏 A value scale, such as the Denman Rose nine-step scale, helps artists measure and describe the range of values from black to white.
🎨 Value creates depth and a three-dimensional appearance in artwork by varying the lightness and darkness within an object and its background.
📚 Understanding value is crucial for artists to create realistic and depthful artwork, as it influences the perception of space and form.

Q & A

What is value in the context of art?
-Value refers to the lightness and darkness in an art piece, which is determined by the amount of light reflected from a surface.
How does the light source affect the value of an object?
-The brightness, position, and distance of the light source can affect how much light is reflected from a surface, thus influencing its value.
Why do two surfaces of the same object not have the same value if they face the light source at different angles?
-The angle at which a surface faces the light source changes how much light it reflects, thus altering its value.
How does the environment affect the value of an object?
-Objects close to each other share reflected light, and the darkness or lightness of surrounding objects, as well as their proximity and reflectivity, affect each object's value.
What is the role of background value in art?
-Background value can make the same object appear lighter or darker depending on the contrast with the background, influencing the perception of depth and dimension.
How does the texture and reflective properties of a surface impact its value?
-Different surfaces reflect light uniquely due to their texture and reflective properties, which in turn affects the perceived value.
What are the factors that affect the value of a surface?
-Factors affecting a surface's value include the brightness of the light source, the surface's position relative to the light, the surface's value and color properties, the angle at which it faces the light, reflected light from the environment, background values, and the nature of the light source.
How does value create depth within an artwork?
-Value creates depth by generating a range of tones within an object and its background, making objects appear three-dimensional and altering their perceived distance.
What is a value scale and why is it used?
-A value scale is a method of describing how values change between black and white. It is used to measure and describe the differences in light and dark in an artwork.
What is the Denman Rose nine-step value scale?
-The Denman Rose nine-step value scale is a well-known system for describing value changes, starting from white highlight to black, with terms like light low light, mid value, high dark, dark low dark, and black.
How does the amount of light reflected by a surface determine its value?
-The amount of light a surface reflects determines its value, with surfaces reflecting more light appearing lighter and those reflecting less or no light appearing darker.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Understanding Value in Art

This paragraph delves into the concept of value in art, which pertains to the lightness and darkness of colors and surfaces. Value is crucial for creating the illusion of depth and three-dimensionality in artwork. It is influenced by the brightness and position of the light source, the distance between the object and the light, the surface's color and reflectivity, and the angle at which the surface faces the light. The paragraph also discusses how reflected light from the environment affects the value of objects, and how different backgrounds can alter the perceived value of an object. The nature of the light source, whether natural or artificial, also plays a significant role in determining value.

05:03

🎨 The Role of Value in Artwork Perception

The second paragraph reinforces the importance of value in how we perceive objects in art. It explains that surfaces that reflect a lot of light are seen as light, while those that reflect little or no light are perceived as dark. Value is what gives depth and space to an artwork, making flat shapes appear three-dimensional. The paragraph introduces value scales, such as the Denman Rose nine-step value scale, which helps artists measure and describe the range of values between black and white. This scale includes terms like white highlight, light low light, mid value, high dark, dark low dark, and black, providing a systematic way to understand and apply value in art.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Value

In the context of the video, 'value' refers to the lightness or darkness of a color or shade in an artwork, which is determined by the amount of light reflected from a surface. It is a fundamental concept in art and design, as it helps create depth and dimension. The video explains that different values can be observed on the same object depending on the angle at which it faces the light source, thus affecting its perceived depth and three-dimensionality.

💡Light source

The 'light source' is crucial in the video as it dictates how light interacts with objects, thereby influencing their perceived value. The script mentions that the brightness and position of the light source relative to an object can significantly alter the amount of light reflected, which in turn changes the object's value. This concept is central to understanding how lighting affects the visual representation of objects in art.

💡Reflection

The term 'reflection' is used in the video to describe how light bounces off surfaces, contributing to the perception of value. The video script explains that light objects reflect plenty of light, while dark objects reflect very little or none. This reflection is what allows us to see objects and distinguish their values, as it interacts with the surfaces of objects and the environment.

💡Shadows

In the video, 'shadows' are created as a result of the absence of light on certain parts of an object or scene. Shadows play a vital role in defining the value of an object, as they contrast with the lighter areas to create depth and form. The video emphasizes that shadows are an essential element in art, as they help to give a three-dimensional appearance to otherwise flat surfaces.

💡Brightness

'Brightness' is mentioned in the video as a factor that affects the value of a surface. It refers to the intensity of the light source, which can make an object appear lighter or darker. The video script explains that a bright light source can make objects appear lighter by reflecting more light, whereas a dim light source can make them appear darker.

💡Color properties

The 'color properties' of a surface are discussed in the video as they influence how much light is reflected and thus the value of the surface. Different colors absorb and reflect light differently, which affects their perceived value. The video script implies that understanding color properties is essential for artists to accurately depict the values in their artwork.

💡Surface angle

The 'surface angle' is the angle at which a surface faces the light source, and it is highlighted in the video as a key factor in determining value. If two surfaces of the same object face the light source at different angles, they will have different values. The video uses this concept to explain how changes in angle can create the illusion of depth and form in art.

💡Reflected light

In the video, 'reflected light' is the light that bounces off surfaces, including the ground, walls, and objects. This reflected light affects the value of objects, as they can share or absorb light from their surroundings. The video script illustrates how the interplay of reflected light contributes to the overall value and appearance of a scene.

💡Background value

The 'background value' is discussed in the video as it can make the same object appear lighter or darker depending on what it is contrasted against. The video script explains that the background can significantly influence the perceived value of an object, emphasizing the importance of considering the entire composition when creating art.

💡Texture

'Texture' in the video refers to the surface quality of an object, which affects how it reflects light. Different textures can result in varying degrees of light reflection, thus impacting the value. The video script uses texture as an example to show how surfaces with different reflective properties can create a range of values and contribute to the depth and realism in artwork.

💡Value scale

A 'value scale' is introduced in the video as a tool to measure and describe the range of values between black and white. The script mentions the Denman Rose nine-step value scale, which provides a standardized way to understand and communicate about the lightness or darkness of colors and shades in art. This scale is essential for artists to create a consistent and graduated range of values in their work.

Highlights

Value is the amount of light reflected from a surface, creating lights and shadows.

Light source's position and brightness significantly affect the value of objects.

Objects that reflect more light appear lighter, while those reflecting less appear darker.

The angle at which a surface faces the light source changes its value.

Objects close to each other share reflected light, affecting their perceived value.

Background value can make the same object appear lighter or darker against different backdrops.

Surface texture and reflective properties influence how light is reflected.

The nature of the light source, whether natural or artificial, impacts the value of objects.

Value creates depth within an artwork, making objects appear three-dimensional.

Value scales, like the Denman Rose nine-step scale, help measure differences in light and dark.

Value is crucial for creating the illusion of space and distance in art.

Different sides of an object cannot have the same value if they face different directions.

The value of a surface changes as it changes its position to the light source.

Value changes can be very defined or smooth and gradual.

The lightest value is white, and the darkest is black, with a range of values in between.

Understanding value is essential for creating depth and making flat shapes look three-dimensional in art.

Value scales are used to measure and describe the range of values from black to white.