It’s a Matter of Values

 I’m told the values (amount of light or darkness in a specific color) of any painting are foundational to the quality of the work. Although color often gets the credit, the values of the color will distinguish a good painting from a mediocre painting. I struggle continually trying to concentrate on values. Doing so takes time, and I want to jump ahead and start the application of paint. The sage advice is to take a value scale when I paint and refer to it when painting. However, so many times, I don’t have one. Now, there is no excuse. I’ve made myself several, and I’ll plant one in my studio, plein air gear, and any place in which I’m painting. ...so let’s do this, self.