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1. An Element of Art

2. Value
What is value?
•Value is how
light or dark an
object is (or
appears to be)
•Value makes
objects appear
•3-D when they
are truly 2-D
(flat)

3.  Create CONTRAST – the difference
between light and dark
 Create FORM– the illusion of 3D shapes
 Create TEXTURE – the surface quality of
an object
 Create VARIATION – using different
values to create interest in an art piece;
variation in value helps “set the mood” of
the piece

4. The light hands next to the dark background creates contrast

5. Value creates the sense of eggs on otherwise flat paper

6. Value creates the cat’s fur

7. The use of different values in the same drawing creates variety

8.  One of the most
common ways to
learn about value
is to make a value
scale
Value scales are named
by how many boxes
there are
Below is a six-part
value scale

9.  GRAPHITE
 CHARCOAL
 Charcoal Pencil
 Vine Charcoal
 CONTE CRAYON
 INK PENS
 Illustration (mm)
 Pen & Ink (India Ink)
GRAPHITE RANGES:
6H, 4H, 2H, F, HB B, 2B, 4B, 6B
 TORTILLION/ STUMP
(ESTOMPE)
 ERASERS
 Rubber (Pink Pearl)
 Gum Art Eraser
 Kneaded Eraser
 White Vinyl Eraser

10.  SHADING
 Use the side of your
pencil and a
tortillion/blender to
bring a range of tones
to a drawing

11.  HATCHING
 Distinct parallel lines
close or far in distance
to one another to
mimic shading
Not scribbling, precise
and intentional

12.  CROSS-HATCHING
 Distinct parallel lines
and a second set of
lines overlapping to
create further value
Usually on a diagonal

13.  STIPPLING
 Small dots close
together to form dark
value and further in
distance to create light
value
Methodical not
random points

15.  When drawing, it’s important to make sure
your shading follows the form
 If your shading doesn’t follow the form, it will
visually flatten what you worked so hard to
make appear 3D

16.  Use a new paper in your sketchbook, a ruler,
and a H pencil
 Create 3 rectangles that are 2” x 8” each
2” wide
8” long

17. Use the ruler to divide the
box into 1” compartments
(You’ll have 8)
1) Hatching (watch
demonstration)
2) Shading
3) Grey Scales (paper)

18.  Starting with the second box of your top strip,
create the lightest value you can
 I recommend going SLOWLY and using your
4H pencil
 Make it close to white, but a little darker
Like this!

19.  Continue this process for each square, making
it a little darker than the one before it
 Your last square should be as dark as you can
make it, without pushing hard
 Don’t push so hard you make it “shiny” or break
your pencil, rip your paper, etc.