Unit 4
Value
total points: 210
Value
Ok, time to kick things up a notch! Let's start adding value to our drawings. In a nutshell, value is all the shadows and highlights that we see because of the light that illuminates us and the objects we want to draw. Adding value makes our 2D drawings look 3D. It adds depth and realism. Fancy!
Step 1: Value Video (5 points)
Watch the following video and take some notes. (Using a Google Doc and sharing it with me is fine).
Step 2: Make a "Continuous Tone" value scale. (5 points)
1. Let's start by having a look at this powerpoint presentation. It will give you more info on value (related to drawing instead of photography), and it will describe the use of "continuous tone."
What you will need:
- Your Sketchbook
- A ruler
- A pencil
- A blending stick
2. Now let's take a new sheet of paper in your sketchbook and label it "Value Scales". Make a rectangle on this page that is 5 inches long and just 1/2 an inch tall. See the picture on the right-->
Yes, you should use a ruler to do this! Remember where they are? (top drawer in the right side of the sketchbook cabinet). Label the scale "Continuous Tone".
FYI...we will be adding more value scales to this page later on.
Here is a close up:


3. Watch the video of my
value scale demo.
4. Now try it yourself!
-------------------------------------------*CHECK IN!! Done with steps 1 & 2? Great! Now come show me for your points!*--------------------------------------
Step 3: The Value Worksheet (20 points)
I'll hand you the worksheet after you let me see your value scale. You will take your continuous tone practice, and apply it to some 2D objects that have a light source shining on them. If you have any questions about it, you can watch me do an example in the following video:
Some hints: Don't forget your cast shadows! Yes, you need to re-draw the bucket.
What you will need:
- The worksheet
- A pencil
- A blending stick
Get your worksheet here:
If you can print it, great! If not, copy it into your sketchbook by hand, then fill it out.
-----------------------------------------------*CHECK IN!! Done with step 3? Great! Now turn it in for your points!*------------------------------------------------
------------Now Some Helpful Hints (Not for Points, just to make your life easier)---------
Fancy Pencils:
So by now, you can make a whole bunch of different values with just the regular drawing pencil that I give you. This is a good to be able to do, but from now on, let's not work so hard. We are going to use fancy drawing pencils. These are labeled 6B, 4B, 2B, HB, 2H and 4H.
I'm sure you've noticed these labels before, so let me explain what they mean. They refer to the density of the graphite inside them. The graphite is on the softer side when the pencils are marked "B". 6B is softer than 4B, and 4B is softer than 2B. The softer the graphite, the darker the pencil, but the harder it is to erase. I like to remember it as "B" for BOLD.
The pencils marked, "H" are harder graphite ("H" for "Hard"). These pencils are good for sketching as they write very lightly and are easy to erase. The normal, school pencil is an "HB". It's right in between hard and soft.
In case that went right over your head, or it was too much to read, watch this quick video for and explanation.
OR
Try this PDF
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Sighting:
Have you ever seen an artist holding their pencil out in front of their face to "measure" what they are drawing? Well it turns out that they are using a really helpful technique called, "sighting." Watch the video below to see how it's done...
You can also line your pencil up to the screen of your computer to measure angles, then you can transfer the angles to your paper. See the little video of me doing this.
Another helpful hint is paying attention to object relationships...As you draw, think, "how close is this object to the other one?" "how tall is it compared to the other one"...etc.
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Step 4: The White Still Life (35 points)
You will draw a collection of white objects. You can find pictures of them on the resources page, or you can set up and photograph your own set up. (Just ask me). This will give you an opportunity to practice your observational drawing skills, and to apply the use of continuous tone.
This time though, I'm going to give you a choice about how you do your continuous tone. You can use a regular, graphite pencil, or you can use a colored pencil.
Whichever you choose, the initial steps in the process are the same...
Da Rulez
1. Use Drawing Pencils (yellow or blue) not Mechanical Pencils.
2. Use those blending sticks! Not the point, but the side. The dirtier they are, the better!
3. Keep your lines LIGHT because you will eventually get rid of them!!
4. NO RULERS. Do not use rulers to draw your shapes! Use your fabulous, hand-eye coordination.
5. Draw with your sketchbook in "Landscape" position. Use the whole page. (No tiny drawings)
What you will need:
- Your sketchbook
- A variety of fancy drawing
pencils
- A blending stick
- Your reference image (resource
page)
Challenge Level Optional:
- Prisma colored pencils
1. Sketch the objects very lightly.
-Pay attention to how the objects relate to each other.
-Where do they touch?
-How long or tall are they compared to each
other?
-FYI, this is called PROPORTION.

This is just my example. Don't copy it!
2. Now go back over your first sketch, adjust
your shapes and clean up your lines.
Remember to keep it light because you
will eventually erase all your lines.

Now that the basics are done, choose which way you want to add value.
If you want to use graphite (pencil), follow the directions down the left side. Make sure you try out the special drawing pencils, 6B-2H. You can also use a graphite crayon to fill in the background, (but wait until the end to use it, or it might smear all over!)
If you want to use a cool toned colored pencil, then follow the directions down the right side.
Choice 1
Graphite


3. Learn to use a blending stick (a.k.a. your new
best friend). The blending stick helps you get a
smooth, continuous tone blend. Watch the
following video for a demo:
4. Start filling in your values. Remember that you
will eventually get rid of all the lines
by blending them into either the background or the
values in the objects. Watch these videos and time
lapses:
Time Lapses...

Don't use this picture! Take your own or go to the resources page.
I put it here so you could see the image I
worked from.
Choice 2
Colored Pencil


3. Start with this PDF which shows the entire
process:
4. Check out my process videos and the time lapses.
Also, make sure you know about the proper way to
sharpen a prisma color pencil. (They're super
expensive, so let's not waste them!)
The Colored Pencil Value Scale...
Filling In Value...
Time Lapses...
--------------------------*CHECK IN!! Done with step 4? Great! Now come show me for your points!*--------------------

----You are now ready for STUDY DRAWING 2: The Pile of Silverwear----
take some time to work on this and turn it in at your own time.
There is a slide show of images on the resources page...or find your own on Google images. Draw at least 3 peices, (a fork, a knife & a spoon). Remember that we are practicing value, so they need a good light source and shadow.
-------------------------*CHECK IN!! Done with S.D. #2? Great! Now come show me so I can give you your points*-----------------------------
Step 5: White on Black Drawing (30 points)
Time to change things around. We have been working on white paper with dark pencils, so all the light is already there (in the white of the paper) and we've been adding all the shadows, right? What if we switch that? We will use black paper and white pencils. So now, all the shadows are already there, and we need to add the light.
What you will need:
- A piece of black paper
- A pencil
- A white Prisma color colored pencil
(NOT the white charcoal!)
- Your reference image or your paper
airplane (you can use the scratch
paper to fold this)
1. Try out the whole, "white pencil on black paper" thing with a quick value scale on the back of your paper. You will get a variety of values by changing the pressure on your white pencils.
The value scale should be about the same size as your first, graphite one (5 inches x 1/2 inch).

2. Now you have a choice. You can do the regular assignment, which is to draw a paper airplane. Or, you can do a more challenging version of the assignment, where you draw a piece of quartz crystal. Follow the prompts for whichever assignment you choose...
Regular:
Challenge Level:
