Reverse Value Drawing

What is REVERSE VALUE??

Reverse value is drawing with light or white mediums on dark

backgrounds.

How’s that different from what we normally do???

However, in reverse value, you draw with white/light material on black paper and it does require some getting used to.

Most of us are used to drawing with dark material on white or lightly colored paper.

How did this artist achieve the shadows?

Reverse Value Achieved with Color on Black

Here’s another example with reverse value achieved with color:

What areas on this drawing did they leave the paper mostly its

own color (black)?

Again, which image is done with reverse value and why?

This is a Vincent Van Gogh painting… however, could you

achieve this image on black paper and how so?

We are so used to adding dark values and leaving the lighter values. When we reverse this thinking by drawing with white or light material on black paper, our process is the opposite.

Now, we must train our minds to deal with the lighter values and leave the darker values to the tone of the surface.

Reverse value also creates strong CONTRAST… what is CONTRAST?

A principle of art, contrast refers to the arrangement of opposite elements (light vs. dark colors, rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.) in a piece so as to create visual interest, excitement and drama.

Let’s look at a quick video:

http://thevirtualinstructor.com/white-on-black.html

What we will do next:

You will find an image that has a lot of value changes (lights and darks) or an image that could be interesting against a dark background. You MUST have my approval. You also MUST find more than one image (minimum 2). I will explain why...

With your image you will then create thumbnail sketches…

Thumbnail sketches are very small, very quick jots of ideas (usually look rather scribbly). This is sort of the brainstorming process, and helps you decide what to crop and zoom in or out on…

When you are doing thumbnails, think about this:

Tricks to think about:

ONE OF THE SECRETS OF A GOOD COMPOSITION IS TO HAVE THE NEGATIVE (AS WELL AS THE POSITIVE) SHAPES VARIED AND INTERESTING

Pick an image that will allow you to have a lot of value with this reverse value project.

After you have your thumbnails completed, you will:

Get my approval to begin on black paper. The DEADLINE to finish this WILL BE NEXT

FRIDAY. (If I have to adjust it, I will). IF YOU FINISH ONE REVERSE VALUE

BEFORE NEXT FRIDAY, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DO ANOTHER REVERSE VALUE UNTIL THE DEADLINE…I WILL BE NOTING WHO FINISHES WHEN. TAKE YOUR TIME AND APPLY YOURSELF! USE OF CLASSTIME WILL BE PART OFYOUR GRADE.

Resources:

http://artintegrity.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/36-flower-painting-composition/

http://thevirtualinstructor.com/white-on-black.html