Value Project
Objective: Produce work that properly use the element of Value, focusing on the principles of design;
(balance, emphasis, proportion/scale, rhythm/repetition, unity/variety), using critical thinking skills to
resolve assigned design problems.
Value Scale is a scale that shows the gradual change in value from its lightest value, white to its darkest
value black.
Practice Tone by Painting a Gray Scale or Value Scale
The two extreme tones or values are black (very dark) and white (very light). Recognizing the tone or
value of a color, rather than the hue, is important to a painter because successful paintings have tonal
contrast in them, or a range of values. A painting with only mid-tones risks being flat and dull. Value or
tonal contrast creates visual interest or excitement in a painting. A high-key painting is one in which the
contrasts in value or tone are extreme, from black right through the range of mid-tones down to white. A
low-key painting is one in which the tonal range is narrower.
Step 1
To get familiarized with tone and value, you will be painting an 11-square gray scale using only black
and white paint. This has white at the one end, black at the other, and a range of tones in between. Start
by cutting a strip of paper that is approximately 3 x 14 inches with an inch border from the sides and
1.5-inch border at the top and bottom. (Be sure to tape this border off from paint and fingerprints). This
will be the frame since you will not be using matte board for this project. Each square of color on this
value scale should be 1 x 1 inch.
Step 2
Now repeat the exercise, using one hue (color) to create value scales for the color. You can only use one
of the three primary colors; red, blue or yellow. This time the scale will be 11 squares. Start by cutting a
strip of paper that is approximately 3 x 14 inches with an inch border from the sides and 1.5-inch border
at the top and bottom. (Be sure to tape this border off from paint and fingerprints). This will be the frame
since you will not be using matte board for this project. Each square of color on this value scale should
be 1 x 1 inch.
Step 3
Using the color scale you created as a guide, you will create a painting. Choose a photograph to work
from. The subject is up to you. Make sure you bring this printed image in along with the painting and
scale for your final presentation.
Monochromatic Painting - artwork created using one color, experimenting with tint and shade. Painters
created the exploration of one color, the examination of values changing across a surface, the
expressivity of texture, expressing a wide variety of emotions, intentions and meanings in a wide variety
of ways.
Materials:
11 x 14 inch heavy white paper
Paint - white, black and choice of blue, red or yellow
Paintbrushes
Masking tape
Ruler
Pens, pencil
Eraser
The monochromatic will NOT need to be placed on black matte board for presentation. You will need to
create a border by measuring in an inch on all sides of your paper and mask the area using tape.
After the painting is finished and dried you may take off the tape for presentation. * Be sure to take the
tape off with caution as it can tear your paper.
Project Due Date: