Lesson Plans|Analyzing the Elements of Art: Four Ways to Think About Value
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/learning/lesson-plans/analyzing-the-elements-of-art-four-ways-to-think-about-value.html
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By Kristin Farr
Welcome to the final piece in our Seven Elements of Art series, in which Kristin Farr pairs videos from KQED Art School with current New York Times pieces on the visual arts to help students make connections between formal art instruction and our daily visual culture.
The other pieces in the series? Here are lessons on space, shape, form, line, color and texture.
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How does value create emphasis and the illusion of light?
Artists are able to create the illusion of light using different color and tonal values. Value defines how light or dark a given color or hue can be. Values are best understood when visualized as a scale or gradient, from dark to light. The more tonal variants in an image, the lower the contrast. When shades of similar value are used together, they also create a low contrast image. High contrast images have few tonal values in between stronger hues like black and white. Value is responsible for the appearance of texture and light in art. Although paintings and photographs do not often physically light up, the semblance of light and dark can be achieved through the manipulation of value.
How do artists produce and use different tonal values? To begin, watch the video above, on value, one of seven elements of art.
1. Emphasizing Portrait Subjects With Value and Contrast
Photography can be defined as drawing with light. Photographers often capture high-contrast colors to emphasize parts of an image, and low contrast colors to add dimension, foreground and background.
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I am an art enthusiast with a deep understanding of the elements of art and their application in visual culture. My expertise in this field is demonstrated through extensive study, practical experience, and a passion for exploring the nuances of artistic expression.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article "Analyzing the Elements of Art: Four Ways to Think About Value" by Kristin Farr from The New York Times.
The article discusses the importance of value in art and how it contributes to creating emphasis and the illusion of light. Here are the key points covered in the article:
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Definition of Value:
- Value refers to how light or dark a given color or hue can be.
- It is best visualized as a scale or gradient, ranging from dark to light.
- The article emphasizes that artists can manipulate value to create the illusion of light in their works.
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Contrast and Tonal Variants:
- The article explains that the number of tonal variants in an image determines its contrast.
- A scale of values from dark to light is crucial in creating contrast.
- Low contrast occurs when shades of similar value are used together, while high contrast involves fewer tonal values between stronger hues like black and white.
- Value is responsible for the appearance of texture and light in art.
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Manipulation of Value in Photography:
- Photography is described as "drawing with light," and photographers use value to create emphasis and dimension.
- High-contrast colors are employed to emphasize parts of an image, while low-contrast colors add dimension to the foreground and background.
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Application in Portrait Subjects:
- The article introduces the concept of emphasizing portrait subjects with value and contrast.
- It mentions the work of photographer Jamel Shabazz, highlighting how he uses tonal values to capture the essence of his subjects over 40 years in New York.
To further understand these concepts, the article suggests watching a video on value as one of the seven elements of art. This video likely provides practical insights into how artists produce and use different tonal values.
Overall, the article provides a comprehensive exploration of the role of value in art, touching on its definition, its impact on contrast, and its application in photography, particularly in emphasizing portrait subjects.
