Elements of Art: Value and Color
Take notes, please.
You can take this time to get
additional markers/colored pencils.
Value
Value is the element of art
that describes the
darkness or lightness of an
object. Value depends on
how much light a surface
reflects. A surface has a
dark value if it reflects
little light. It has a light
value if it reflects a lot of
light. (Also known as
crosshatching)
Albrecht Durer. An Original Ruler Seated On a Throne. 1445. Pen and Ink
Every time you
make a mark with a
pencil, you are
creating a line with
a certain value. The
harder you press,
the darker the
value.
A series of closely
placed lines can
create areas of dark
value… or facial hair.
Somewhere along the way between psychology lab and art tests, the
rule developed that the eye can discriminate 9 distinct gradations in
lightness, from lightest to darkest. This 9 step value scale was
created.
Of course, we can see a much larger number of value differences
than that. The actual limitation is that a larger number of value steps
becomes impractical to recognize across different situations and
match accurately with paints.
Color
I need some volunteers…
Color Wheel
The 12 colors of the spectrum arranged in a circle.
The Properties of Color
1.Hue is the name of the color (red,
yellow, etc.) It refers to the
color’s position on the color
wheel.
2.Value – The lightness or darkness
of a color.
3. Chroma/Intensity – The
brightness or dullness of a color.
Neutrals
Black, white, and gray…they do not contain colors.
Tints and Shades
Tints are made by adding white to a color.
Shades are made by adding black to a color.
Primary Colors
The three colors used to create all other colors.
Primary color
Yellow, Red, and
Blue. All other colors
can be made from
these colors.
Secondary Colors
The three colors made by combining the three primary colors.
Secondary color
Green, orange, purple.
The three colors made by
combining two of the
primary colors.
Tertiary or Intermediate
Colors
The six colors made by combining primary and
secondary colors.
Warm and Cool Colors
Monochromatic
One color and its tints and shades.
Monochromatic
• Monochromatic = one color plus its tints and
shades.
Monochromatic
Complementary
Two colors that are directly across from each other on the color
wheel.
Complimentary
• Two colors that are opposite each other on
the color wheel. Ex: blue and orange
• When place side by side they give very high
contrast.
Complimentary
If you mix two
complementary
colors, you can
make gray!
Tones
Mixing complements changes the intensity of the colors.
Intensity is the brightness or dullness of a color.
Analogous
Three colors that are next to each other on the color
wheel.
Analogous
• 3 colors that are side by side on the color
wheel. Ex: blue, blue-violet, violet.
Analogous
Split Complementary
One color and the two colors on each side of its
complement.
Has anyone noticed the lack of color
wheels in the Art Room?
For our first project we are going to fix
this….
Working with your tables, you will create a
creative color wheel.
Don’t start planning yet… There will be a
twist.
How to Make a
Creative Color Wheel
Be creative, the possibilities are endless. You
could…
1. Select a motif (repeated images) that you
can draw. Create a design in which you
repeat your motif 12 times in a circular
format.
2. Or, select a group of 12 images that have
meaning together. Arrange these images in a
circular design.
Requirements
• Each group member must contribute.
• Make your design interesting and fill the page.
• WOW ME!!!!!!
Examples: