value study pastel on somerset 5x11 |
value study pastel on somerset, 6x9 |
Color is the absolutely delicious part of any painting. We all love it don't we? Slightly addictive, eh ? It is my drug of choice and I always have to remember to stick to my reading of value and not just relying on scrumptious color.
The classical masters made a full grisaille (value painting, in essence) and all the value decisions were made on it. Later, layers of thin glazes where laid on top of the grisaille and the value structure stayed solid.
So if you want to make stronger paintings try focusing just on value. I constantly need to remind myself of this. When teaching this summer I had my students complete 3 days of just value work and on site note taking. On the fourth day, when color was finally allowed (after a value study) the results were stunning.
Taking time to make just full value drawings, not a five minute study, but a full blown sketch (let's say two hours of work) is incredibly valuable. When you do this you will see how easily the value study can be a great support in the field, and later in the studio. Try it and let me know.
PS The hurricane is gone and all is well.