back to values.... tree on the hill

Back to values. Before beginning bigger work (or any work for that matter) it is always good to do a value sketch. Usually I make a small notan rather than a full blown value study. But recently I have really been enjoying painting in one value.  The reasons for making these are numerous, most important and most obvious is to determine the value relationships between colors in the landscape. After doing this it is easy to become freed of "local color." Meanwhile I have learned that more than color, value makes the mood.
Try making one... just for the fun of it.  One hint remember to SQUINT. Value doesn't separate things...we do.

This one comes from a small painting I did this summer. The full color painting (below) is 5x5 and this value painting is 19x22.