UV - Understanding Value Module Overview

Understanding Value Module Overview

Introduction

Value is what gives shapes form on a picture plane. Drawing a white on white still life gives the opportunity to really focus on seeing and recreating light and shadow.

Key Terms

    1. Form - A solid, 3d appearing area- has height, width, and depth.
    2. Shape - Flat, a defined, 2d enclosed space (geometric- regular/ freeform- organic, irregular).
    3. Texture - Refers to how things feel or look as if they feel.
    4. Value - Describes the lightness or darkness of an object.
    5. Medium, media – Materials used to make art.
    6. Format – Dimensions of an artwork.
    7. Graphite - Dry media from graphite minerals.
    8. Still Life - A group of inanimate objects arranged to be drawn or painted.
    9. Flat Value Change - Sudden change in value.
    10. Graded Value Change - Gradual change in value.
    11. Highlight – Lightest part of the form.
    12. Cast Shadow – Darkest area in a drawing of a form.
    13. Reflected Light – The area beyond the form shadow which is lighter because light rays bounce back and collect on the area.
    14. Mid-tone - Blended area between highlight and core shadow.
    15. Kneaded Eraser - A rubber, flexible eraser which is self- cleaning and can be molded into a variety of shapes for erasing.
    16. Rating of Drawing Pencils - The ratio of graphite to kaolin which determines the softness to hardness of pencil lead.
    17. Light Source - The direction which the light hits a form.
    18. Craftsmanship - Refers to skill in producing expertly finished products.
    19. Terminator - Line on a object that reflects the change from light to shadow.
    20. Eraser Guard - Using a piece of paper to help create crisp edges on shapes when drawing in value.

Module Lessons Preview

In this module, we will study the following topics:

Artist Focus: Wayne Theibaud is a master of light values. We will look to his work to better understand how an artist can show value in an all white composition.  

Graphite Value Scales and Exercises: Artists perfect their craft through practice and experimentation. While seeing what your graphite tools are capable of, you will also create value scales and texture exercises. 

Expressing Light and Shadow through Value: The most difficult part of rendering 3-D objects on a flat picture plane is to rely on planes (shapes) of value to create an object rather than line. 

Eggs Value Study: Put the practice and experiments to use as you create a white-on-white still life of eggs in preparation for the module project. 

Making Paper Cranes: For the module project, you will make your own still life objects-- paper cranes. The story of the origami paper cranes is inspiring and you will learn about this Japanese tradition. 

Paper Crane Project: Apply your experimentations with the egg value study and create a value drawing of two or more white paper cranes on a white surface. 

Creative Journal Page inspired by the Paper Crane Tradition:  After working with very calculated values and graphite shading, you will get to be more creative making a journal page in response to the paper crane tradition. 

Paper Crane Journal Page Discussion: Post and reflect on your journal page following the discussion prompts. Respond to two other students' work. 

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