Colour Theory:
What is Value? by luci

Value is the lightness or darkness of a colour.
You can raise the Value of a colour by adding white, making it lighter
or you can Lower the colour's value by adding black,  making the colour darker.
Value Scale:
Value Scale refers to how many steps between black and white.
Most people only use 0-10 values, because that's about how many values the eye can discern easily.

My colour wheel has 0-9 values.   0-being Black   and 9-White. The Values are referred to as Numbers.

The Value scale that I use is the same one that Ann Kingslan uses.
It goes from 1-9.   1-Black   and 9-White.
Just like all colours have names so does Values.

#9...is White
#8...is High Light
#7...is Light
#6...is Low Light
#5...Medium Value
#4...is High Dark
#3...is Dark
#2...is Low Dark
#1...is Black.

I found giving my Value names makes it a lot easier for me to setup my Palette.
Value Chart
I hope you make the time and paint this chart.
You will learn so much.

For the top half of the Colour Value chart we're going to add White.

Pour a puddle of a basic medium colour value and paint it on where it says "Basic Colour / Medium Value"

Then mix 1 part of your medium value with 1 part of white and paint it where it says #6 - Low Light.

Then take the #6 Low Light Value and mix with the same amount of White and paint it where it says #7 Light.

Take the #7 Light Value and mix it with the same amount of white and paint it on #8 High Light.


Now, you'll do the same with Black.
Take one part of your basic, Medium Colour Value and mix it with 1 part of black and paint it where it says #4 - High Dark.

Then take the #4 High Dark Value and mix with the same amount of Black and paint it where it says #3 Dark.

Take the #3 Dark Value and mix it with the same amount of Black and paint it on #2 for Low Dark.

The picture on the left is how I setup my palette,

but I got the idea from Ann Kingslan Colour Theory Video.

It works and it does organize my palette and me.


colour theory terminology || paint a colour wheel || colour schemes || what is Value?
intensity || painting tips

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