Landon  R. Wilson   artist
  • Sketchbook
  • Blog
  • Storyboards
  • Instagram
  • Portfolio
  • Bio
  • Contact

How to Talk about Art (Value)

10/15/2014

Comments

 
I feel like value is the most important aspect of an image.  That's probably why I saved it for last in my three part series How to Talk about Art.   Value is what leads the viewer's eye to the focal point.  Without value your eye wanders aimlessly.  The best way to see value is to squint.  In fact, the best way to see anything is to squint.  It is how artists see the basic shapes when they draw from life.  
Picture
Greg Manchess
Not sure of title or date.
This is one of my favorite images.  It is arresting because it makes my eye go directly to the astronaut's face, which seems to have a look of awe on it.  Here's the reason why.
Picture
When you look at it in gray-scale, it is easy to see the darkest value is the astronaut's suit.  It's basically black.  This contrasts with the value of the astronaut's helmet, which is basically white.  My eye goes straight to the area's of greatest contrast, (so does yours!)
Picture
Even when this image is blurred-out you can still make out everything because each shape has it's own distinct value.  The astronaut is extremely dark.  His helmet is extremely light.  The planet he is on is a lighter mid-tone whereas the planet in the distance is a darker mid-tone.  The sky is almost as dark as the astronaut.
Comments
    Subscribe to 
    Email Updates

    Landon R. Wilson

    Welcome to my blog.

    This is where I share some of the behind-the-scenes stuff that is involved in making my art. 


    Archives

    September 2019
    August 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Sketchbook
  • Blog
  • Storyboards
  • Instagram
  • Portfolio
  • Bio
  • Contact