Project - Value Scales

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Course In Progress

Project - Value Scales

1K
Course In Progress

Creating a value scale teaches you to control the mediums you work with and builds patience. It's a good idea to create a value scale for every medium you want to master, whether it's graphite, markers, ink, or charcoal. For those of you working digitally, I encourage you to try this with a pencil.

Level 1

  1. Start by drawing a 1x1 inch rectangle divided into eleven squares. Use a ruler if you like, and draw the lines lightly to avoid dark lines between squares.
  2. Your pencils might not get you to a pure black. So, it might be a good idea to establish your darkest possible value first
  3. The lightest value is the white of the paper, so leave that one empty.
  4. Fill in the squares between, aiming for consistent progression from dark to light. You can start from one end, the middle, or jump around randomly, it's up to you.

Use a range of pencils (2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B). Each pencil has a comfortable value range. It is possible to do this with less pencils, like an HB and 6B, it just requires better control of your pencils.

Squint at your value scale  to blur the values together and make it easier to see where the jumps in value are too extreme or where the values are too similar.

Easy Mode - If you want to start a little easier, you can do just 5 squares. Start with the extremes, the middle, and the two between those. Having only 5 squares makes it much easier because the jump in value is more extreme, and so the subtlety isn't as important.

Level 2

Blind value scales?!? For a greater challenge, shade each square without seeing the others.

  1. Cut out one or two-inch squares and number each on the back.
  2. Shade each square to match its assigned value, without comparing it to the others.
  3. Once all squares are done, turn them over, line them up in order and see how smooth the gradation is.

Adjust the difficulty - Start with fewer squares, like five, to make it easier. For an extra challenge, randomize the order in which you shade the squares.

Optional: Marker Value Scale

If you have markers, try making a value scale with them. I have this OLO marker set which includes a range of predefined values of cool, warm, and red greys. Using markers CG1, CG3, CG5, CG7, and CG9 (or Black) on white paper provides six values straight of the box. However, applying the marker evenly in each square takes practice.

Create intermediate shades by layering the same marker or combining different ones, such as adding CG3 to CG5. Experiment with layers to see how they react. And unfortunately with markers to see the true value you might need to wait a few minutes for it to dry. Good paper that takes water can minimize this and prevent paper warping.

IMPORTANT: Take Good Photos

Post your value scales for critiques and please make sure to take good photos. If there was ever a time for you to learn how to take evenly lit, high quality photos of your work, this is the time. As we go into the Shading portion of the course. How you light your work will affect the values in your photos.

I know that these value scales might not seem very useful and you might want to rush through this project. But, approach these value scales with patience and take pride in your work. Practicing accurate values pays off in your drawings.

Deadline - submit by Oct 21, 2024 for a chance to be in the critique video!

Newest
@osa
8d
Here are my value scales, I found this super useful! I only had 3 markers so I decided to make a smaller marker value scale.
@lauralana
13d
I enjoyed how quietly meditative this exercise was. It was challenging! I struggled especially once it came to the lighter values. It seemed as if just putting pencil to paper once made the value too dark and somewhat indistinguishable between shades 2 and 3. I also didn't have a 2H so that could be an issue. Overall, it's fun to think about how just little shifts in value can have a big impact!
kutola
14d
Here's my submission for Level 1 assignment. Completed it in a Moleskine sketchbook, and scale for markers bled through completely:) Will note for future:) Avoided this task for a long time, which is a hint for me to work on values more! But, loved the practice, and know more about myself after completing it.
kutola
14d
Here's cropped version of an assignment, definitely need to work on taking pics of works:)
Scott N
17d
Level one value scales. I got a bit lost in my first attempt so I scaled back to the 5 squares then attempted the 11 squares again. I find the lighter values difficult as the harder H pencils seem less ' responsive' when compared to the softer Bs. Also first time practicing the overhand grip.
@romero505
26d
How are you guys, could you give me some feedback? xoxo I love you so much.
I did not Want to see that
finally caught up to this section! Any improvements on my value scales? For level two I kept putting a tissue paper over each block as I went on, so no cheating was done there!
Carlo Julian
I had to take a picture from an angle to avoid the reflection of the light. The darkest block on the left is super reflective. I used a 4B and 2B pencil.
Melanie Scearce
Great job!
Jack H
1mo
Level 1 and Level 2 projects. I think I did okay for level 1, but level 2 was a bit tricky as I noticed I tend to shade number 2 darker than usual, and certain values were flipped/too similar to each other. I wonder what's the proper way to improve at this? Or is it just intuition, like "value 6 should be this color, value 4 this color, etc."? For lv 2, I cut a square out of another piece of paper to cover and isolate the individual squares. Order was also randomized. Would appreciate any feedback/advice on this, thanks!
Rachel Dawn Owens
This is an exercise to train your eye and hand dexterity. The Level 2 is especially difficult because you can’t compare the values to each around it. I think you did pretty good for such a difficult assignment. Something you could try to make it easier is to have a gradient scale next to where you’re drawing. Try to match your squares to the gradient as you go. Train your eye to see the values and it will get easier with practice.
Amani Noor (Amu)
Lvl 2 project.
Amani Noor (Amu)
Lvl 1 project. Is it helpful to rotate the charcoal pencil to keep it round when using the overhand grip? My midtones in charcoal were very grainy even though I shaded with multiple layers.
Melanie Scearce
I like to rotate the charcoal when I'm drawing to keep it sharp. You don't have to stop and sand it because the paper is sharpening it for you. Really nice job with this value scale! The graininess looks like the paper texture to me.
@romero505
2mo
Hello guys, could you give feedback on my practice??????? I love you guys xoxox
J. Menriv
2mo
Project - Value Scales
Osman Perez
I really enjoyed doing this assignment
@optix
2mo
I really liked this assignment. I was trying to do my best to make sure there weren’t telltale signs of an immediate switch to a different value, but the lighter values were difficult.
@nathan_the_phaneuf
I'll have to redo it (more than once, of course) but here's where I'm at for now.
Zander Schmer-Lalama
Yo! Had fun doing this one! Doing this shading project was very meditative and soothing, if that makes any sense lol. I did level 1, a full value scale on top and a shortened scale on the bottom. Towards the darker values I did realize that I shaded two squares that look the same in value. Adobe and pointers are appreciated. Have a wonderful day!
Johannes Schiehsl
Level 1: Gradient with 11 steps, using 2H, 2B and 5B pencils. Level 2: Gradient with 8 steps using 2B only - blind & random. Turned out better than expected but the fill is more spotty as I struggled not to accidentally flip and bend the paper with the pencil slipping under the edge. Fun exercises!
Mike See
3mo
Level 1
Niklas Nilsson
Level 1. Very hard. 😅 I had to darken the whole range a couple of times when running out of light values.
onigi *pronunce [on-ie-gee]*
Level 2 It was really fun but the result looked messy XD (blots on 1 and 6 are glue I accidentally got there) Level 1 challenge: https://www.proko.com/s/Ha9c
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