I’ve talked to my students about value studies lately. So…. a page directly out of my sketchbook. There are more, lots more. I used 4 bottles of a craft acrylic paint, black, white, and two grays. Sometimes, I used the same sketch painting it with different lighting and values, creating different moods. Take some of your photos sit down at the table and sketch, then paint in the 4 values. You can easily see which compositions work and which don’t. It’s great practice in helping to build your skills in composition.
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Great idea Becky! I do value sketches with pencil and markers (4 values like your paint) but have never tried them with acrylic paint before. Must do this! Thanks for the tip!
I also made a template for a square and rectangle, cutting small pieces of matboard to draw around in the sketchbook. Quick & neat. I sometimes sit down at night at the table with photos and try to come up with compositions and playing with the values to get successful sketches. The acrylic paints clean up easy and I can paint over and change things easily. Not so good out in the field though.
Thanks Becky, this is a great idea! I definitely want to try this!
Thanks Jacki. I’m glad it’s helped you. It is an evolving list as we progress and work on new skills.
Jacki, wrong post I commented about. Sometimes I will sit at the table at night and go through photos making value studies for new compositions.
Hi Becky, Great idea! If you want to take your sketchbook on the road you can purchase gray scale markers in cool and warm tones for doing value studies. When traveling as a passenger, I do quick sketches then fill them with a few values. I like the non-spill factor of markers.
Thanks Lynn for the idea. The gray markers are easy and nice, but you have to remember to put the lid on good. I haven’t always been good about that. They certainly would be good gor traveling.
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