Value/ Tone - the third element
A very important element in, especially drawings and paintings, is value (or tone). In this context, value means light and dark. Sometimes referred to by the Italian word “chiaroscuro” (literally “light/dark”), value is often described visually by a scale with varying shades of gray arranged between black and white. But remember that colors have values also—what would you call a light value of red? We look at Color next in element four.
Value is the range of lightness and darkness within a picture. Value is created by a light source that shines on an object creating highlights and shadows. It also illuminates the local or actual color of the subject. Value creates depth within a picture making an object look three dimensional with highlights and cast shadows, or in a landscape where it gets lighter in value as it recedes to the background giving the illusion of depth.
Similar values distributed in patterns throughout a work of art can lead the viewer’s eyes around the piece to receive the message the artist intended to send. Thus value is an important compositional device, but values can be used to create the illusion of space as well.
When the artist is working a flat, two-dimensional surface, as in drawing and painting, in order to create three-dimensional, rounded or projecting objects, he or she must rely on illusion alone (more on 2-D and 3-D later). In other words, the 2-D artist must learn to “fake it.” A circle is rendered into a ball by using smooth, TRANSITIONAL values, gently moving from dark to light, whereas a box needs ABRUPT value changes to show that the light is different around its corners, top, and the side facing the viewer. BROKEN values are what cause us to see texture in a drawing, painting or print. Looking closely at a rendering of crumpled paper, you can see many little abrupt changes in value which, when you move back from the artwork, blend to become the subject matter. Generally, lighter values appear to be “closer” to the viewer, and darker values tend to “recede” from the viewer. All of these characteristics of value help the artist create illusions of space in two-dimensional works of art.
Value is the range of lightness and darkness within a picture. Value is created by a light source that shines on an object creating highlights and shadows. It also illuminates the local or actual color of the subject. Value creates depth within a picture making an object look three dimensional with highlights and cast shadows, or in a landscape where it gets lighter in value as it recedes to the background giving the illusion of depth.
Pattern - using line, shape, value and color
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/9/2/4092276/6186634.jpg)
A pattern, from the french patron, is a theme of recurring events or objects, sometimes referred to as elements of a set of objects.
These elements repeat in a predictable manner. The most basic patterns are based on repetition and periodicity. A single element is combined with duplicates without change or modification.
Repeat patterns are recognized as an object or element is duplicated in the same manner again and again. checkerboards are an example of repeat patterns.
Alternating repeat patterns have the same element or object repeated from left to right and from top to bottom. The elements are flipped from left to right and from top to bottom. See the islamic tile design below.
Random repeat patterns use the same elements but in an unpredictable way yet they still create a visual similarity.
These elements repeat in a predictable manner. The most basic patterns are based on repetition and periodicity. A single element is combined with duplicates without change or modification.
Repeat patterns are recognized as an object or element is duplicated in the same manner again and again. checkerboards are an example of repeat patterns.
Alternating repeat patterns have the same element or object repeated from left to right and from top to bottom. The elements are flipped from left to right and from top to bottom. See the islamic tile design below.
Random repeat patterns use the same elements but in an unpredictable way yet they still create a visual similarity.
Color - the fourth element
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/9/2/4092276/1008372.gif?398)
This color wheel shows the primary colors, secondary colors, and the tertiary colors. It also shows the relationships between complementary colors across from each other on the color wheel, such as blue and orange; and analogous (similar or related) colors next to each other on the color wheel such as yellow, green and blue.
Black and white may be thought of as colors but, in fact, they are not.
White light is the presence of all color - black is the absence of reflected light and therefore the absence of color.
Light reflected off creates color or hue (red, green, blue, etc.) Hue is the color itself.
Color - the fourth element
Value describes the brightness of color. Artists use color value to create different moods. Dark colors in a composition suggest a lack of light, as in a night or interior scene. Dark colors can often convey a sense of mystery or foreboding.
Light colors often describe a light source or light reflected within the composition.
Color - the fourth element
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/9/2/4092276/2425931.jpg?402)
Intensity describes the purity or strength of a color.
Bright colors are undiluted and are often associated with positive energy and heightened emotions.
Dull colors have been diluted by mixing with other colors and create a sedate or serious mood.
Bright colors are undiluted and are often associated with positive energy and heightened emotions.
Dull colors have been diluted by mixing with other colors and create a sedate or serious mood.
Texture - the fifth element
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/9/2/4092276/7530298.jpg)
Texture
A valuable element to the artist is texture because it engages another sense besides sight. Texture is “tactile,” that is, it appeals to our sense of touch. Artists know this element can appeal to viewers and may try to recreate the illusion of texture, or add real texture to stimulate our tactile nature.
Texture is related to value, in that it’s created by modifying the light on a surface (review the element of VALUE). We don’t need to touch a shiny silver bowl to know its surface is hard, smooth, and polished. But we can “sense” a crumpled piece of paper’s texture because of the hundreds of broken, abrupt value changes. In sculpture, hammering, carving, embossing or molding the surface of the material adds texture.
Texture is a powerful art element because it can quickly evoke memories and emotions. Start becoming more aware of textures all around you—the carpet, in the clothes you’re wearing, and the fur on your cat. Finally, look carefully to see how Vincent van Gogh created unique texture in his painting of sunflowers
You can also use Van Gogh’s Sunflowers to see how he created the illusion of space by simple overlapping. Flowers closer to us cover up parts of flowers that are supposed to be further away.
A valuable element to the artist is texture because it engages another sense besides sight. Texture is “tactile,” that is, it appeals to our sense of touch. Artists know this element can appeal to viewers and may try to recreate the illusion of texture, or add real texture to stimulate our tactile nature.
Texture is related to value, in that it’s created by modifying the light on a surface (review the element of VALUE). We don’t need to touch a shiny silver bowl to know its surface is hard, smooth, and polished. But we can “sense” a crumpled piece of paper’s texture because of the hundreds of broken, abrupt value changes. In sculpture, hammering, carving, embossing or molding the surface of the material adds texture.
Texture is a powerful art element because it can quickly evoke memories and emotions. Start becoming more aware of textures all around you—the carpet, in the clothes you’re wearing, and the fur on your cat. Finally, look carefully to see how Vincent van Gogh created unique texture in his painting of sunflowers
You can also use Van Gogh’s Sunflowers to see how he created the illusion of space by simple overlapping. Flowers closer to us cover up parts of flowers that are supposed to be further away.
More about texture
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } The surface quality of an object that we sense through touch. All objects have a physical texture. Artists can also convey texture visually in two dimensions.
In a two-dimensional work of art, texture gives a visual sense of how an object depicted would feel in real life if touched: hard, soft, rough, smooth, hairy, leathery, sharp, etc. In three-dimensional works, artists use actual texture to add a tactile quality to the work.
Artists use color, line, and shading to imply textures. Below is a sample of the many textures one can create using line and value, If you add color to these textures you can expand them into many more possibilities.
In a two-dimensional work of art, texture gives a visual sense of how an object depicted would feel in real life if touched: hard, soft, rough, smooth, hairy, leathery, sharp, etc. In three-dimensional works, artists use actual texture to add a tactile quality to the work.
Artists use color, line, and shading to imply textures. Below is a sample of the many textures one can create using line and value, If you add color to these textures you can expand them into many more possibilities.
Examples of drawn texture
As you look at the images below note how the artists have just use their media to create visual texture. Creating texture on a flat piece of paper requires the artist to use value- light and dark. Try to figure out how the artists of the works below created texture. Practice drawing them in your sketchbook.