What are value studies

By practicing value studies you’ll not only get better at simplifying any subject into light, mid-tone, and shadow, but you’ll also build a visual library of forms, atmospheres, and lighting conditions. Value Studies Coach is a tool for art students, illustrators, or anyone who wants to train their eye for light and shadow.

Procedure

Grab paint and a panel — or any drawing materials. Pick a category, your time per painting, and how many paintings you want in the session.

When you start, a break down of the image will appear on the right along with a timer. You can hide the breakdown to make it more challenging.

Match the major tonal shapes of the reference within the time limit. The image will advance once the timer runs out.

Adjust the number of tones (3, 5, or 7) to control how much the reference is simplified. Switch between colour and greyscale modes — greyscale forces you to think purely in values.

For your own photos or favourite paintings, choose the “Use Your Own Images” category.

Examples

John Singer Sargent is one of the great masters of value. His Venice watercolours collapse a complex city of stone, water, and shadow into a handful of decisive tonal shapes — that’s the perception you’re training.

The Bridge of Sighs by John Singer Sargent — John Singer Sargent, *The Bridge of Sighs* — Brooklyn Museum

Rio di Santa Maria Formosa, Venice by John Singer Sargent (1905) — John Singer Sargent, *Rio di Santa Maria Formosa, Venice* (1905) — The Met

Tips

Squint at the reference to collapse mid-tones and reveal the big shapes.
Block in the largest tonal masses first, then refine details.
Aim for a clear separation between light and shadow before adjusting any individual value.
You’ll improve each session, but it takes time and practice.
Learn from your mistakes. If you do this you’ll improve much faster.
Make these exercises a daily habit and you’ll surely improve a lot!
Find your best study from the previous session and aim to beat it this session.
Challenge yourself with a shorter time limit every couple of weeks.
Try to finish each study within the time limit.
If you can’t finish on time, give yourself a longer limit until you can.
Try different materials — gouache, oil, charcoal, ink wash — to see what each teaches you about value.
Don’t forget to have fun.