Value Studies
Painting Research: Value Studies Design 32, Still Life with Toy Pony
I’m preparing “Still Life with Toy Pony Design 32” for painting. During the drawing phase, I assigned one arrangement of values. I often tone my drawings to get a better feel for the design. I want to know if the design is complete enough to translate into a painting.
However, one thing I’ve learned in “problems solving” is that it’s a good idea to make yourself look at different options during the planning process. One such work practice that’s helpful is to do multiple value studies. Yup, you’ve heard it before, and now you’ll hear it from me: value studies work!
What I Do:
- Trace the outline of the original drawing in felt tip pen onto tracing paper
- Scan and save to my computer
- Using a “paint style” program, ie. one with a “bucket” fill, fill the outlined cells with an assigned value. (Paint style program: Photoshop or Corel Painter; I use Painter because that’s what I have.
Alternative: One could just as easily copy the tracing four times and fill in the values with ink or pencil.
The Result:
- Now I have four value plans to consider. I get to think about such fun concepts as “which one best supports my idea”.
- I can do the same thing with color schemes.
- I can make adjustments based on what I’ve learned regarding values.
- When I begin to paint, I have an idea where I’m headed!
Try it if you like; see if it works for you.
Tomorrow I’ll show you what I do with colors.
Note: This is not an advertisement for Photoshop or Painter; they’re listed only as examples. One thing I like about Painter is that I could have re-drawn my entire design. While time consuming, it is great research for a design. I can change colors, values, shapes, patterns….really go to town!
MsKitty Study in Black and White
I am challenging myself to do daily studies with my watercolor brush for the month of November. This challenge should fit the Art Every Day Month project pretty nicely. MsKitty and her entourage make willing subjects. I was reading last night about August Renoir and the author made the statement that the brush was like an extension of his hand. When I look at John Singer Sargent Watercolors or Picasso studies, I see the same thing: the brush, mind and body work together to express an idea. I imagine this is a trait that all the masters share. I figure that practicing with my brush might be a good idea. I'm not trying to make a masterpiece. I'm trying to synchronize mind, body and brush. It's a goal anyway. And, if 25 minutes a day can get me there…cool!
I like the attitude of today's kitty.
Posted in Art Every Day Month, Cats, Kitty Still Lifes, Value Studies, Watercolors | 
Tags: Art Every Day Month, cat drawings, Watercolor | 
2 Comments »
Exercises!
This morning I’m having fun challenging myself with composition exercises. I’m arranging shapes, looking for balance and visual interest. The cool thing is there are lots of correct answers; the only incorrect answer is not trying!
This exercise is from Mr. Miles Batt’s book “The Complete Guide to Creative Watercolor”. Interestingly enough, hmmm, he starts out with composition exercises. The point was to take some shapes and arrange them and then see…and look! And arrange some more to get a feel for the different ways to balance a composition.
I think this kind of thinking is fun; my mind becomes totally engaged!
Design 11: More Value Variations
I did a couple more value variations on my design #11. I enlarged the horse and altered it’s placement. I expanded the value plan from two values to four. Now, I think I’ll have to think a little. My intention is to make another Prussian blue/perinone orange version though make it larger and with a little bit of texture.
Posted in Still Life with Toy Pony, Value Studies | Tags: Composition, still life with pony series | 2 Comments »
Design Problem: Value Pattern Still Life with Toy Pony V11
It was suggested to me to re-exam my pattern for Still Life with Toy Pony #11. My intention was for the objects to be dark against a light ground. Perhaps because my darkest and dominant shape is the horse, there is too much weight in the lower right hand corner. Sometimes intentions and execution aren’t the same.
So, I thought I would do some pattern studies and see what I think of the composition. I did these pattern studies in two values (black and white) even though I might paint the design with four studies. I wanted to see the patterns at their simplest and highest contrast first. Then, I might introduce the additional light and dark. But, I want to see if I can maintain the pattern. I would also like to see what it does to weight.
The above slide show shows the variations of value pattern studies I’ve been working on. I have to think a bit more about what I want to say in my next version of this design. More soon!
Posted in Still Life with Toy Pony, Value Studies | Tags: still life with pony series, Value Studies | 2 Comments »
