Here’s this week’s Painterly 2-Minute Tip Session: The Importance of Value Studies
Video Transcript:
One of my most influential instructors, Michael Linstrom, had us create 50 value studies. Yep, 50! Even though he was a colorist through and through, he maintained that focusing on values was a great way to hone in on basic shapes and composition, without the distraction fo color.
It took me awhile to complete the studies but I eventually got them all done. You’d think these paintings would be easier to create than their color versions, but they had their own challenges. You really had to be spot on with the values or they did not read well.
Many of the studies were self-contained. Some I used as an underpainting for a color version. And to this day, many times I will start my portrait sketches with a value study underpainting.
Here’s a self-portrait I created a few years back. I sketched the painting out with dioxazine purple and white. Once I got the sketch where I wanted it, I finished it in color.
Here’s a value study I’m working on right now. She was going to be a black and why study but I added burnt sienna as I wanted to add some warmth. It will be fun to see where she takes me!
I remember one of my fellow students created one single HUGE study and cut it up into 50 pieces. And while it was funny, it really didn’t do her any good.
So, try at least a few of these and post some pics here. I can’t wait to see what you create!
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