Learn how 'values' help to create realism in your paintings.
Have you ever finished a painting and felt that something wasn't quite right or the painting looks a little lack lustre? In most cases the reason for this is because you have used a limited value range ~ which creates less dynamism. When we talk about 'values' in painting ~ this refers to the different lights and darks (in drawing we call them tones or tonal values).
Quite often, when you are just starting out with painting and drawing many people are afraid to go too dark! With watercolour it is perhaps even more nerve wracking as most people associate watercolour with soft, ethereal colours ~ so the idea of using dark values seems almost counter intuitive.
However, without the dark, there can be no contrasting light.
Lay a white piece of paper on top of a white surface ~ you would probably be able to see the paper from the slight variations in colour between the two objects and perhaps even see a difference in the texture of the materials. The paper would be even more noticeable if there is an edge, or corner which casts a slight shadow (right).
However, pick up the piece of paper and place it on another colour surface (left) and you will see it more clearly as there will be more contrast (colour and value) between the two objects. The darker the colour, the greater the contrast will be and the paper will appear whiter/brighter.
Scrunch up the paper and place it on top of the white surface and the multi-faceted object will appear far more noticeable than when it was flat (right) ~ even though the piece of paper itself has not physically changed colour. It is only the light reflecting differently on each part of the paper which creates a wide range of values. It is the interpretation of these values which gives the object 'form' (a sense of three dimensions) and allows us to see the shape.
In this tutorial I have selected a pile of vintage letters, tied with a piece of string. I spotted this lovely still life in the study at Standen House a couple of years back and thought it would make a fantastic tutorial!
Using a pale subject will require you to really look at the changing colour values and contrasts ~ and improving your observation will always improve your painting! I will show you how to assess and really see the different values (lights and darks) within your subject, so you can recreate them and in-turn achieve a more realistic finish.
I will also show you how to use two simple tools to help achieve this ~ a 'value finder' (left) and a 'colour finder'.
To begin, we will reserve the high-lights using masking fluid, before applying pale washes of colour for the envelopes.
We will look closely at the colour values of the different envelopes and how they contrast with each other. We will apply a background wash to provide more contrast with the letters ~ which will alter our perception of the colours ~ making them appear paler.
We will work onto wet to achieve the soft shadows of the string and then look closely at how the string alters in value as it curves around to create the bow. Both of these elements will help the envelopes to appear more three dimensional.
To complete our letters you can decide to add a stamp and address of your choice or go for the vintage Edward VII stamp I have used which is from the time period of when Standen was built.
To find out more about this project, take a quick look at the video below:
I hope you try out this tutorial ~ it has some really valuable techniques which will help you to develop not only your painting skills but your observation skills too. Once you have discovered how values can alter the dynamics of a painting you can consider how muting/enhancing them can create mood and atmosphere in your work.
Don't be put off by the difficulty and time ratings! ~ the difficulty refers more to the skills needed for observing and recreating the colour values ~ rather than the actual techniques to apply the paint.
The time rating does mean this painting might take you slightly longer ~ but if you are short on time don't forget you can crop the image to make it more manageable whilst still trying out all the techniques!
Happy Painting!
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