Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The Value of Value

Value is the single most important formal element that we work with as artists. The only way that we are able to see clearly is because of the contrast between 2 values. Everything in the picture plane is a value shape, even so-called "lines"- they're still shapes- no matter how skinny. A beautiful arrangement of values is the basis of all great works of art. So mind your values. To master value is to master the picture.  


Look at these masters handling value, in both line and shape, to create bold pictures that (despite their intricate details) are organized into big simple shapes by value.  


1. Kathe Kollowitz (Early 20th Century German)



2. Rembrandt (Mid 15th Century Dutch)


See more Kollowitz: http://www.argos-gallery.com/Etch_Exh_11.htm

And Rembrandt: http://rusart.ca/history/rembrandt.html



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7 comments:

  1. xxhannah13September 16, 2011 at 4:27 AM

    Kollowitz's seems to be more expressive and Rembrandt has more of a realistic style.

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  2. UnknownSeptember 17, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    I noticed that both of the artists use a lot of line and crosshatching to create their value within their drawings. In my opinion, I have always appreciated Rembrandt because he has a great sense of the human figure.

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  3. Dave MahanSeptember 17, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Have you ever checked out the paintings of Basil Gogos? His most famous work was seen on the covers of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine. He mostly paints portraits of classic movie monsters, and adds color to images usually seen in black and white. It is an interesting way to approach value, and I thought it would be helpful to some folks used to working in color instead of black and white.

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  4. Taylor TierneySeptember 19, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Both of the artists use the extreme darks and lights of value to bring out characteristics in both the human figures and other subjects in their pictures.

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  5. Molly MundySeptember 19, 2011 at 9:54 PM

    I've always been in awe of Rembrandt drawings. Kollowitz's work was new to me, and I think her drawings are wonderfull too. I love the way both artists use different kinds of line to create value shapes. To me it kind of seems like Kollowitz uses more dark straight lines, while Rembrandt uses lighter wiggly lines. It also kind of seems like Kollowitz could have studied and been inspired by Rembrandt drawings, thats just a guess though.

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  6. EmmaSeptember 20, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    Rembrants sketches always leave me with such a distinct appreciation for art and I feel inspired to create my own set of wonderful drawings. But then I keep looking at his sketches and am filled with sense of inferiority and then decide "what is the point" and for a fleeting moment consider dropping out of art school, finding a sizable cardboard box to live in, acquire about 40 cats and name them all after 20th century female authors.

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  7. JahairaSeptember 20, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    I love master etchings. The line work and the cross hatching is beautiful and it also acts to catch the ink that is wiped on the plate so that when it is put through the press, the image is striking.

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