Values First

Recently I was able to take a couple days to study with my favorite still life painter and friend Margaret Mcwethy. Mcwethy's no nonsense approach to value is what I needed.

I have been seeing great success with students this summer by making them simplify their paintings to values first then painting  the same scene in color.

The top painting is divided into two paintings on the same canvas. One is four values, the second is using all colors. The difference is the black and white painting only expresses values, whereas the second painting expresses light key. The key in this painting is morning sunlight and has many warm and cool colors.


The painting below is a scene in Chatham and is using the same four values for the first painting.
The second painting expresses the overcast light key by using colors.

It's difficult to get a good expression of light key from only four values, however if you don't have values structure your painting will be confusing.

Simplify your painting and anything under the sun can be expressed!