2D Design Exercise 2:
Value & Contrast: value in 11 steps – in 4 different ways
Overview:
Value is the possible lightness or darkness that can be achieved with the particular medium
employed in a design. The most common use of value is the effect of volume, or the visual effect of the third dimension. Value is important in the in creating the illusion of space and depth.
Capturing a full range of values will help to contribute to the a high level of accuracy and illusion
of depth.
Details:
What you will need:
Bristol paper
exacto knife
multiple widths of pens:
— sharpies, microns
Black and white paint
paint brush
yogurt container or jar
Newspapers - B&W
Rubber cement
Ruber cement pickup
Using four different applications– dot, line, paint, and newspaper you will create four
separate eleven step value scales.
Specifics:
1. On multiple sheets of Bristol paper, begin by measuring and drawing 1 inch by 1 inch squares,
about one eighth or quarter inch away from each other. Begin by creating 22 different value steps
per media type, you may need more. Later you will cut them out individually (1” x 1” squares), to
find the strongest 11 steps, in each media, for your value scale.
* You must make at least 22 steps per media, I will check. Don’t expect to get the final 11 steps
correct the first time. Take the necessary time to investigate each step, and the subtle relationships between the steps for the best results.
2. On a separate piece of Bristol, draw a grid (lightly with mechanical pencil) exactly as I have
shown on the following page. Measure carefully so that your measurements are replicating
exactly what is stated on the sample. This is where you glue and arrange your 11 value steps.
Cut out the finished squares, glue them using rubber cement to your grid. When you finish,
cover your value scale sheet with a tracing paper slip sheet, hinged on one edge.
* You should begin collecting newspaper samples, corresponding to your value scale for a
project that is to follow.
Your work should be neat and exhibit good craftsmanship.
– Spend the time to get the value range accurate
– Your Cuts should be clean
– Your gluing should be orderly
– Your dot and lines should be crisp and uniform where appropriate
– Your work should be clean of all other marks, and protected by a cover sheet.
1”
NEWSPAPER
PAINT
LINE
DOT
.5”
12”
1” x 1”
Squares
9”