Value Scale &
Monochromatic Scale

We will be creating a value scale as well as a
monochromatic scale.

Terms Related to Value and Monochromatic Scale.

The scale must be made to the exact requirements to
get full credit.

Both the Value and Monochromatic scale will be due
at the end of class on Friday.
Terms

Value: The visual weight of a color.

Contrast:The difference between light and dark, size, color, shape, and
textures.

Value Scale: The gradation between light to dark on a scale.

Monochromatic: the full value range of one color.

Thumbnail Sketch: small sketches that helps work out ideas, spatial issues,
layout, and helps you brainstorm ideas for compositions.

Negative Space: The space around, inside and object.

Positive Space: The space that makes up the object.

View Finder: a tool to help you find an interesting composition. It helps to frame
the view to reduce drawing extraneous visual information.

Gradient: the value change from dark to light.

Medium/Media: the tool one uses to create art. For example, watercolors,
pencil, paint, charcoal, colored pencils, ect.
The Requirements

To create one value scale that has
9 steps.
 To create one monochromatic
scale that has 9 steps.
 Each scale must have accurate
values that have transition from
black to white in a consistent
gradation.
 Due Friday end of class.
Requirement Sheet
Examples of Value Scales

Notice you can see the
value scale with a nice
even gradation from
one value to the next.
 If you squint your eyes
you can tell if the
transitions from one
value to the next is
correct of if there is too
much of a jump.
 Website to check out is:

http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/color11.html
Why is Value & Contrast
Important?



Value changes and contrast
helps the viewer “read” a
composition.
It also creates interest and
makes the viewer want to
look at your composition.
Note the two images. Both
are of the same scene. The
top version uses a gray
scale with value changes
and contrast. The bottom is
the same composition but
with no value changes or
contrast.
Monochromatic Scale



The Monochromatic
scale is just like the
value scale but with
color.
You will take one color
plus black and create a
even gradations
between dark to light.
You will make this a
nine step scale as well.
How To Create a Value Scale
1.
2.
Determine how big you are going to
make your scale. And what shape.
Simplest way is to use a ruler and
measure out 9 sections. 1” each is
fine. This means you will have 9, 1”
sections.
Creating a Value Scale

You can also create a non traditional value
scale, by using circles, stars, triangles or
other shapes.
Just remember, your pieces have to connect or
touch.
Begin shading remember to keep each shape
or block consistent in value.
Tips

Start from black or white and
work your way down or up.

When you are shading, start
lighter and build up your values.
You can always go darker, but it
harder to go lighter.

Use a blending pencil to help
get your values consistent in
each block.

Squint, squint, squint. This
breaks the visual barrier down
between values and help see if
the gradation between values
are correct.

You cannot shade white.