Building a Painting With Value Structure

The challenge for any artist when beginning a painting is determining the solid structure of the shapes in his composition. It is the arrangement of the shapes and not necessarily the subject itself that gives the painting interest. And when the shapes are given values, it is the pattern of the values that hold the shapes together allowing the viewer to navigate his way through the painting.

Before beginning a major painting an artist draws several small studies of the subject using simple shapes while giving each a certain value; either dark, mid-tone or light. When working in small thumbnail sketches or those less than 4x6 inches one can make changes and adjust values before the painting is started. Every shape is important including a sky shape. That shape should be designed as part of the whole painting. Composition is the sum total of all the parts and that means even those shapes that do not dominate. With a good structure in place first, there is little need for readjustment when the painting is started.

Consider where your center of interest will be in the painting. It may be where you put your greatest contrast, highest color or more interesting shape. It may be about your statement or concept for the painting. The values should lead the eye in the direction of the center of interest. A value pattern that misdirects the viewer may lead outside the painting so be careful where you put your darkest dark and your lightest light.

Try to avoid using shapes that all appear to be all the same size and distance from each other. Variety is the spice of life and you need to arrange them in such a way that the viewer will not see monotonous divisions. Remember that shadows are also shapes. A skillfully shaped shadow can add interest. And realize that negative spaces like those between leaves or branches on trees are shapes that hold a viewer's eye. Design the shapes to intrigue the viewer on his many excursions through the painting.

After your initial sketches, begin the process of drawing the composition on the support you will be using, either canvas or paper. Find a way to place the drawing on the support by a tracing method so that you will not need to erase the pencil lines. If painting in oils, begin laying in the values, that is the lights and darks, with paint thinned down with your medium. Cover the entire canvas with your initial laid down of burnt umber or a sienna color. After this dries, you may begin to lay in the color.

Be an expert at learning how to compose shapes and values. Relying on the structure of shapes rather than the dramatic statement alone will allow the painting to excel.

Beth cook is an artist who loves to write about art. She suggests you also check out art classes Plano, TX and McKinney TX art classes.

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