Art 230: Introduction to Painting
Value Painting Assignment

Due date Monday September 9th, for Section I or Tuesday, September 10th for Section II

How do we create form? How do we create space?
Value- In the visual arts we use this term to describe the relative lightness or darkness of a form or space.

Value is important because:
1. It creates three dimensional form.
2. The degree of value contrast determines the placement and relationships of forms in space.
3. Value can create pattern and can also modulate and describe surface texture.
4. It can create a mood.
5. Value contrasts create dramatic effect.

Our perception of value depends on a few important factors. We should be concerned with a subject's actual coloration, it's lightness or darkness relative to it's surroundings and finally the degree to which the subject is lit or in shadow.

As we have discussed in class do not be confused by the local value of an object. Look for the value patterns and assess their relative value by squinting.

Set up three to five objects. Use a strong light source to illuminate your still life. Before plopping down to paint carefully study and adjust your light source. I don't want to dissuade you from back lighting, but it is very difficult to create space, so if you can, try lighting from the sides or top or bottom.

Use a view finder to help you with the composition. It also will help in seeing the tonal differences more accurately.

Ask yourself: What is the mood that I want to portray in this piece? Calmness? Foreboding? Awkwardness? When it comes time to critique be ready to discuss your piece in terms like this.
Besides using the value to communicate mood, how are you using basic design principles to aid you in the portraying of the content?

I will grade the paintings on the following criteria:
Craft_______
The subtlety, richness and complexity of your values, try to describe the many shades of blacks, whites and grays that you see._______
The amount of convincing spatial depth.________
The depth of attention given to your compositions, especially as they communicate mood.____
The accuracy of form.______

Two paintings each 12" x 16" on Masonite. Try to zoom in on the still life and don't pick too complicated of forms. One value painting must be in high, middle or low key, while the other is to be full range. Each painting should take three hours.

Helpful hints: Don't crop objects so that their edge lines touch or come close to the borders of your image. Don't get caught up with tiny details. Try to jump all over-don't lock on to one object at a time. Try jumping straight to painting and forget drawing. Try to get the gesture of the still-life by rendering it quickly. Try to use the appropriate brush for the right job. Think of yourself as a sculptor chiseling out the forms and space making sure you are working general to specific. Try to use the ground to help inform you of the form. You might want to assess the situation and the different values first, then mix up your grays and paint by number. And again most importantly asses value relationships. Ask yourself what is the lightest light? What is the darkest dark? Put those in and then go for a mid value. Aim for at least 7 distinct values. And squint, squint, squint!

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Kevin J. Muente
Assistant Professor of Art
Northern Kentucky University