A common mistake beginners make when rendering with value is focusing on one area of the subject at a time without considering the value relationships of the whole drawing.  Even if each part looks good on its own, the overall image can suffer.  Because we perceive brightness in relation to what’s around it, focusing too narrowly on one area of the subject can make its lightest parts seem very bright and its darkest parts seem very dark.  This is called contrast creep and can lead to losing track of the brightness relationships of the whole and using the full value range in each section. 

Using the entire value range in one part of the drawing can lead to inaccuracies in the whole because it is impossible to accurately show that areas are brighter or darker than an area using the full value range.  There is no higher or lower value in the value range to describe those relationships accurately.

To avoid contrast creep, we consider the brightness relationships of the entire subject.  This may seem like an overwhelming number of relationships, but we can simplify the process by working from large value relationships to smaller ones. We can start by simplifying big areas into single values, ignoring small variations in brightness.  Once the large areas of value are established, we gradually add smaller relationships.  A good approach is to begin with one value for the areas that are lit and another for the shadows. Then, refine within those regions further by adding the more subtle value relationships within them.  Focusing on the overall pattern of light and dark will communicate the subject more effectively than getting lost in small details.  In most cases, you can describe a lot with just a few values.

Lesson 8 Assignment

Three Value Study

Create a drawing of your subject using only three distinct values. Remember that the blank page counts as one of them.  You may start with a light sketch of your subject, but avoid focusing on detailed outlines.

Begin by dividing your subject into areas of light and shadow.  Use one of your lighter values to separate the subject from the background.  If the white of the page is your lightest value, use your middle value for the subject.  If the page is your middle value, use the lighter value for the subject instead.  Use the darkest value to represent shadow areas.  Keep each area consistent and avoid blending between values.  Evaluate your drawing by how accurately the value shapes describe the light and shadow areas of your subject.

Five Value Study

Begin with a three-value study.  Add a darker value within the light areas of your subject and another darker value within the shadow areas.  The dark value in the light areas should still be lighter than the lightest value in the shadows.  Keep each value area clean and consistent, and do not blend between them.  Evaluate your drawing by how accurately the value shapes describe the light and shadow areas of your subject.

For these studies, and any studies that rely heavily on value.  How you light your object will have a big impact on the look of your work and the effectiveness of the study.  Try to light your object with a single strong light source that creates a clear distinction between areas that are lit and areas in shadow.  Ideally, this would be a light that’s easy to position and control such as a desk lamp.

1. Spend the first 30 minutes doing the three or five value studies.
   
2. Spend 50 to 55 minutes drawing your object to the best of your current ability.  If you finish before your study session ends, draw it again until your time is up.  If you can’t finish within one session, continue working on it in the next. You can also take extra time if you want.
   
3. Reflect on your results and write about what went well and what you could improve next time.

Optional:

1. Share your weekly study plan in the #accountability channel on the course discord server.
   
2. Post your exercise results in the #exercises channel if you’d like feedback.
   
3. Share your drawing and photo in the #course-critique channel to get feedback from the community.

If you have any questions about the course, you can ask in the #course-help channel.