Good Values Can Save Bad Color
If good values can save bad color why can’t good color save bad values? Great question! Let’s dive into what they both do.
What Does Color Do?
Good color is beautiful and eye catching and we, as beginners often want to get the color right because we think it’s the most important thing. It’s NOT! Color decorates the foundation, but we have to create the foundation first.
What Values Do.
Values create form, depth and dimension. Values create the things that make a painting look real or 3D. You’re painting on a 2 dimensional surface trying to make it look 3D. That only happens with values. Often times the values don’t show up like the color does, but the values are critical to your painting. Watch the video below to learn more.
This is a concept that took me a while to understand and I’m hoping this video and blog post shortens your learning curve. Learning how good values can save bad color but color can’t save bad values is critical to any artist hoping to improve their art.
Values versus color is an age old question but as a beginner 25 years ago, I was often disappointed in my artwork until I recognized and began using values in my art. Every item you paint in your painting needs a minimum of 3 values and some of the masters used 15-20 values. The more you work on this one concept the better your art will be.
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