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2.1: Achromatic Value Scales

  • Page ID
    177179

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    Preparing Your Paper

    1. Paint two 11 x 2 inch strips per page in your sketchbook. Make sure to leave room next to each strip for written descriptions.
    2. Title your two pages Achromatic Value Scales.
    3. Write the pigments you used next to each gray scale. Use your micron pen and if you need to sketch letters first, use your non-photo blue pencil. Make sure letters are consistent and neat.
    4. Check values with your value scanner when completely dry.

    Materials:

    • ½ “ flat brush
    • Colors: black, white, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, alizarine crimson, thalo green
    • Mixing palette
    • Palette knife
    • Water & container
    • Masking tape
    • 9” x 12” mixed media sketchbook
    • Non-photo blue pencil
    • Ruler

    Page 1, left side: Painting and Mixing

    1. Paint a vertical 11- step gray scale, black at the bottom, white at the top.
    2. Measure 1/2 inch at the top and bottom of your page, then use a ruler to draw a 2 x 11 inch strip.
    3. Measure one inch increments from the bottom of the strip until you reach the top.
    4. Make 1 inch measurement marks on either side of the strip and draw a line with your ruler.
    5. Tape the outer edge of your strip to keep paint from getting in the margin of your paper.
    6. Mix and paint each value to match the gray scale value scanner distributed in class.

    Page 1, right side: Blending and Value Painting

    1. Measure 1/2 inch at the top and bottom of your page, then use a ruler to draw a 2 x 11 inch strip.
    2. Tape off outer edges as in the previous exercise.
    3. Practice blending using your largest flat brush. Use a small amount of gloss medium to increase the flow of your paint.
    4. Put a small amount of black n your mixing palette.
    5. Make a large pile of white in a clean area far from the black.
    6. Mix a separate pile of middle gray (value scale step 6) on your palette using part of the black and white paint piles. Do not pollute your main paint piles with remnants of paint on your palette knife. Use your baby wipes to keep it clean.
    7. Start the strip with a clean brush and black at the bottom, your middle gray in the middle and white at the top. You will need to keep wiping your large blending brush with baby wipes to keep it from messing up your blend. Work quickly to blend your values smoothly, creating a smooth 11-step gradient with no breaks.

    Page 2: Mixing Color to Make Black.

    1. Measure 1/2 inch at the top and bottom of your page, then use a ruler to draw two more 2 x 11 inch strips, as in the previous exercises. Tape off the edges.
    2. Paint your first gray scale on the left, using burnt umber and ultramarine blue.
    3. Paint your second gray scale on the right, using alizarine crimson and pthalo green.

    Mixed Black / Gray Tips:

    • Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue until it appears to be black.
    • Start with the brown and gradually add the blue until your paint pile that appears to be black.
    • Scrape off a small amount of the paint with your palette knife and gradually add a little white.
    • If it appears to be blue or brown, the balance between the two colors is not correct.
    • Continue testing the larger dark pile until it appears gray in the small sample. Do not pollute the large white or mixed black pile on your palette. Create a large middle gray pile.
    • You will have three piles of paint: mixed black, mixed middle gray and white.
    • Mix gradations on other areas of the palette - this is why you need a large palette.
    • Follow the same procedure for mixing pthalo green and alizarine crimson.

    This page titled 2.1: Achromatic Value Scales is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Marcelle Wiggins.

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