Learn how to PAINT in GREYSCALE! (Values) | TUTORIAL

Summary

In this tutorial, the importance of mastering value in art before color is emphasized. Value, defined as the amount of light and shadow on a surface, serves as the foundation for effective composition. The video explains how color can mislead artists, masking poor values, and demonstrates techniques for focusing on value first to enhance readability and composition. The speaker shares insights on local values, ambient light, and the simplification of values into a scale from 0 to 10 for better artistic representation. Viewers are encouraged to explore their understanding of values through practical exercises and the speaker’s personal process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Value refers to the amount of light and shadow present on a surface, typically represented in grayscale.
• 🎨 Understanding value is crucial for artists, as it lays the foundation for a successful composition before adding color.
• 🔍 Good colors cannot compensate for bad values; coherent value structures enhance readability and depth in art.
• 🖌️ Color can trick artists into misjudging contrast; separating value and color can clarify dimensionality.
• 🌈 It’s beneficial to establish values before introducing colors to simplify the artistic process.
• ⚖️ Local values matter: different materials reflect light differently, and using the same starting value can lead to a flat appearance.
• 🔢 Artists can simplify values by using a range from 0 to 10, adjusting based on the desired mood of the piece.
• 📽️ Practicing by recreating moods from movie stills with limited values helps develop a strong understanding of value usage.
• 📊 When creating compositions, start with three to four values, applying darker values to closer elements for depth.
• 🚀 Utilizing techniques like toggling layers to check values in grayscale aids in maintaining value accuracy throughout the painting process.

Q & A

What is the definition of value in art?

Value is the amount of light and shadow present on a surface, typically represented in grayscale.

Why is it important to master value before color?

Mastering value is crucial because good colors cannot compensate for poor values; value forms the foundation of an image.

How can color trick an artist when painting?

Color can mislead an artist about actual values, as colors at equal saturation can appear as different shades of gray when converted to grayscale.

What is the Azaro head model used for in the tutorial?

The Azaro head model is used to demonstrate how light interacts with the planes of a head, helping to visualize the concept of value.

What technique can be used to check values while painting in color?

You can create a new layer filled with black and use the blending mode set to 'color' to view the composition in grayscale.

What is local value, and why is it important?

Local value refers to the inherent lightness or darkness of a material or surface. It's important because different materials have different local values, and failing to consider this can result in a flat appearance in art.

How can one simplify the use of values in painting?

Artists can simplify values by using a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 represents pure black and 10 represents pure white, allowing for a more manageable range.

What is a common beginner mistake related to values?

A common mistake is not considering local values and painting every object starting with the same value, resulting in a lack of depth and texture.

What exercises does the tutorial recommend for practicing values?

The tutorial suggests analyzing still frames from movies and attempting to represent them using just three or four different values to develop a comfort zone with values.

How does the speaker's painting process begin?

The speaker starts with a limited range of values, using the darkest value for elements closest to the viewer and adjusting values as they define silhouettes and light indications.