It is one of the many characteristics of color, describing the lightness or darkness of a shape or object.
Variations in light and dark shapes create patterns we see. Our vision, even in low lighting conditions when we cannot determine the color or hue from one another, uses these value patterns to determine one object or shape from another.
 |
| Value |
Value also conveys the illusion of 3D forms on a 2D surface. It allows us to visually sense what we see when light falls onto a round or curved object, and the surface turns away from the light source. Soft lighting will create a gradual gradation across the form. In contrast, harsh lighting creates a dramatic change in the gradation.
Value also conveys mood. For example, an image with primarily light values evokes a different feeling than an image with mostly dark values.
Natural Values
Color families or the hue affects the value of a single tone. Before being mixed with other colors, pigments straight out of the tube have a pre-existing value. It is called their 'NATURAL VALUE,' and it is apparent when placed next to different colors.
 |
| Every hue already has a natural value. |
For example, yellow is generally lighter than other hues on the color wheel. Only a few colors can be mixed to make it lighter. Purple or Violet is generally on the dark side compared to other colors. As shown below, Orange, green, red, and blue are usually somewhere in the middle.
 |
| Color intensity is reduced to clarify the values |
Mixing colors with white may dull the color intensity. However, don't confuse brightness with lightness. Intensity is the brightness or dullness of a tone. Value is the lightness or darkness of a tone relative to its surroundings.
Tint, Tone, & Shade
A tone is a single color swatch or shade of gray. Tones can be light, dark, or in between. A tint is the lighter version of a tone, and a shade is the darker version of the tone.
 |
| The Vocabulary of Value |
Tone
Is is a single-color or color swatch with an individual combination of color characteristics. Each has a unique combination of hue (color), value (light or dark), intensity (brightness or dullness), and temperature (cool or warm). Note that tone is sometimes defined as any color or hue mixed with gray. In charcoal or pencil drawings, there are only gray tones.
Tint
It is any tone mixed with white (in drawing, it would be the lighter marks or the paper's white).
Shade
It is created from any tone with the addition of black or dark (in a drawing, it would be a darker mark or darker pencil).
Gradation
A gradation is a gradual change from one tone to another, depicting an object's volume, three-dimensional characteristics, or shape. Gradual changes in value create the illusion of a 3D object on a 2D surface.
|
| Value Scale or Gradation with 11 tones |
Is a a minute change in value over several tones. It allows us to visually sense what we see when light falls onto a round or curved object, and the surface turns away from the light source. Soft lighting creates a gradual gradation. Harsh lighting creates a dramatic change in gradation.
 |
| Light vs. Dark. |
Values may also be sympified further or grouped into light and dark.
Value Scale
It is a measuring device is used to help determine a single tone's lightness or darkness. The human eye can distinguish many values, but it is generally only necessary to represent 9 in the 2D visual arts. Next to other tones in context, a value scale has a TONAL RELATIONSHIP. Each tone relates to another, getting darker or lighter in equal increments. A complex scale may contain as many as nine to eleven distinct tones.
 |
| Value Scale in Six Steps |
A complex value scale may contain as many as nine to eleven distinct tones. However any scale can be simplified into six, five, or even three tones. Light or dark shapes may be simplified using only two tones until the shapes are clearly defined.
The Contrast Effect
Value is relative to its surroundings and can be deceiving. The horizontal strip of gray is the same tone across the background of tonal relationships.
|
| The Contrast Effect |
A single tone induces lightness or darkness upon other adjacent tones and is mutually affected in return. It creates an optical illusion called the 'CONTRAST EFFECT.' Even though the middle strip of grey is one single tone, it appears lighter on the dark side and darker on the light side.
