VALUE PATTERNS
Good compositions are generally an arrangement of three or four large masses (shapes). Remember to incorporate the principle of dominance. In order for a picture to have a design it must have value differences or simply light and dark masses that produce a "value pattern". Using only three values, the following basic value patterns are among the possibilities.
A dark shape against midtones.
A light shape against midtones.
A large dark and a small light against midtones.
A large light and a small dark against midtones.
A graded value pattern.
A checkerboard pattern.
Splitting the midtone value into light and dark-midtone increases
the possibilities, but try to limit the basic masses to four
values. That is not to say that there won't be other values,
such as dark "accents" or light "highlights",
but other than those try to place the existing halftones into
one or another of the larger value shapes.
Viewing
your subject through colored sheets of acetate can help show
value relationships and patterns. Try red, yellow and blue.
Sometimes it is easier to spot problems when the
work is seen in reverse. A mirror can be used to see in reverse
and can help you judge your value pattern, proportions and composition.
It can be placed to view both your composition and model in the
mirror at the same time. A black mirror can help in judging value
relationships and value patterns.
VALUE SCALE
High Key Paintings with predominately lighter values
are said to be "high key".
Low Key
Paintings with predominately darker values are said to be "low
key".
COLOR VALUE
Colors (hues) are situated at
different positions on the value scale.