Realistic Textures

UNDERSTANDING VALUE

One of the main challenges of drawing is making a flat, two-dimensional image look like a three-dimensional object—you can do this by including variations in value in your drawings. Value refers to the relative lightness or darkness of a color or of black. By shading (adding dark values) and highlighting (adding light values), you produce the value variations which create the illusion of depth.

Working with Value Scales

Just as a musician uses a musical scale to measure a range of notes, an artist uses a value scale to measure changes in value. You can refer to the value scale so you’ll always know how dark to make your dark values and how light to make your highlights. The scale also serves as a guide for transitioning from ...