So far we have worked with only line - focusing on interpreting shapes and contours just line. This was to instill in you the observation of shapes within shapes so that when we go to address value you are well prepared to place the value where it should go. This lesson is an introduction to value you teaching the fundamentals of how value behaves in real life. You will learn how to identify the six major divisions of light and shadow as well as how to render the different tones of value - from black to white and all of the greys in between.

Definitions:

Value - Gradations of tone between black and white. 

Value Drawing – A drawing that includes all gradation of tone where tones blend into other tones without the existence of line. 

Rendering - Layering of pencils in short strokes in multiple directions.

6 DIVISIONS OF LIGHT AND SHADOW:

1. HIGHLIGHT - The light source is hitting the object most directly, this is the brightest part of the form

2. LIGHT - The area surrounding the highlight where light source is hitting the object but not directly. This area is lighter than shadow, but not as bright as the highlight.

3. SHADOW - Light is giving way to shadow, but hasn't given way fully. This is the blended area between light and core shadow.

4. CORE SHADOW - Light has given fully to shadow, this is the darkest part of the form.

5. REFLECTED LIGHT - Light is reflected off of other surfaces onto the object. This area is usually just beyond the core shadow from the light source. It is not as bright as light or highlight but is brighter than core shadow.

6. CAST SHADOW - Indicates the area of light that the object has taken up. Usually the edges of core shadow are slightly darker than the interior of the core shadow because light will bounce into the core shadow as well.

   1. OCCLUSION SHADOW - Indicates the small area directly beneath the object or where the object is sitting on another surface. This is the darkest part of the drawing.

VALUE SCALE

1. Measure a 10"x1" rectangle. Make sure your rectangle starts inside of the paper - roughly 2 inches inside.

2. Make division lines every 1" to create ten 1"x1" squares

3. Tape off the edges of the rectangle
   *This is to keep clean edges on your value scale. A tip is to take some of the stickiness off of the tape by pressing it onto your pants first and then placing it on your paper. This helps the tape to release when it comes time to take it off so that it does not rip your paper.

4. Starting with 2H - lightly render each square by carefully layering pencils up the pencil scale (2H -> H -> HB -> B -> 2B -> 3B -> 4B -> 5B -> 6B -> 7B -> 8B). Remember rendering is the layering of graphite pencils in short strokes in multiple directions.
   * As you move up the value scale begin adding more darker B pencils on top of each other. You can gradually add more pressure to the pencil as you move up the scale of pencils (Ex: 2H = no pressure, 2B = light pressure, 4B = more pressure, 8B = a lot of pressure) but remember that you must layer according to the hierarchy of pencils starting with 2H.
   
   END GOAL: A 10 Step value scale with distinct changes between each step from white to black where no two values are the same.

VALUE STUDY:

First place the egg or white sphere on a white surface (piece of paper) and point a light directly onto it from the side. We want all of the 6 divisions of light and shadow present and a cast shadow on one side.

1. Lightly gesture the shape of the sphere and cast shadow shapes

2. Begin rendering the core shadow shapes by layering 2H in the direction the light is falling across the form:

3. Gradually render up the value scale using darker pencils as needed to render all 6 divisions of light and shadow. Remember all the divisions on the object softly BLEND into each other. There are no stark edges on the inside of this form.

4. Neatly label the 6 zones of value. Use a ruler to make your lines.

EDGE QUALITY

• Hard Edge - Minimal to no transitional values; higher contrast creates harder edges.

• Soft Edge - Values placed next to each other with some transitional values between them.

• Lost Edge - Values placed next to each other with multiple transitional values with little contrast between them.