1.
Value Light and Dark in a Work of Art

2.
Chiaroscuro
• An Italian term that means "light-
dark.”
• In art it is characterized by strong
contrasts between light and dark.
• It is also a technical term used by
artists and art historians for using
contrasts of light to achieve a
sense of volume in representing
three-dimensional objects.
• Artists who are famed for the use
of chiaroscuro include Leonardo
da Vinci and Caravaggio.
Mona Lisa (1503-1519) Leonardo da Vinci

3.
The Value Scale
A simple drawing tool that helps you see and draw values by comparison.
It ranges from white to black, with the center value being called “middle gray.”
High Key = White to Middle Gray Low Key = Black to Middle Gray
middle gray

4.
How to Use a Value Scale
When you are drawing, hold the value scale next to the object, squint your
eyes, and, see what part of the gray scale matches. Then check the value
against the drawing

5.
Seated River God, Nymph with an Oar, and Putto - Giambattista Tiepolo
In a high-key artwork, the majority of values are in the
High Key lighter to middle gray. Dark accents are used to lead
the eye around the important areas of the painting.

6.
Saint Peter in Prison (1631) Rembrandt
In a low-key artwork, the majority of values are darker
Low Key then middle gray. Light values are saved as accents to
highlight the important elements in the painting.

7.
Contrast
• When creating contrast with light,
you pair light and dark values.
• Contrast creates interest in a
piece and often draws the eye
to certain areas.
• High Contrast: Artwork that uses
very little middle values, and
primarily values from opposite
ends of the value scale.
• Low Contrast: Artwork that
primarily uses a wide range of
values.
Eden Concert (1866-1867) Georges Seurat

8.
Christ in the Garden (1603) Caravaggio
Tenebrism Using high-contrast for a dramatic effect.

9.
Using Value to Represent a 3-D Object
• There are NO OUTLINES in a value drawing. Use a difference in value to
create edges.
• Using an eraser is useful to add light areas to a drawing.
• Keep your pencil sharp.
• Before you draw, identify the direction of the light source, which will allow you
to correctly place highlights and shadows.
• Squint your eyes to help simplify the shapes and values you see.

10.
The Cast Shadow - This is the darkest dark. It is the shadow that is cast by
an object on a surface that it is laying on. The cast shadow is the darkest
where the object and surface touch, and will get lighter as it gets farther away
from the object.

11.
Shadow Edge - This value is on the opposite side of the light source.It is
not the edge of the object.

12.
Mid-Tone - This is what the actual color of the object is, without any effects
from light or shadow.

13.
Reflected Light - This is the light that is seen around an object, usually
between the cast shadow and the shadow edge. It's the light that is bouncing
off of the surfaces around the object. This value is never bright white.

14.
Full Light - This is where the light source hits the object at full strength. It is
usually shown by the white of the paper. All the areas of gray around the full
light should be blended so that there is a smooth, gradual transition between
them.