Elements of Art: Value and Color

Take notes, please. You can take this time to get

additional markers/colored pencils.

ValueValue 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 colorYellow, 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 colorGreen, 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

Tones

Mixing complements changes the intensity of the colors. Intensity is the brightness or dullness of a color.

If you mix two complementary colors, you can

make gray!

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: