Tips for Translating Color to Value When Drawing

One of the challenges of drawing is to translate color into values. Can you identify the value of a banana in shadow? How about in skin tones? Today I have a few tips to help you see values in your references.

Use Photo Editing on Your Phone

Most phones have the capability of taking and editing photos. In the video above, you can see different ways to use built-in adjustment tools to see both your drawing and your reference in just black and white. This can help you understand the values of what you're looking at, but don't feel you need to copy the values you see exactly. (Though that's certainly an option!) If you think about it, cameras take photos at various exposure levels, so it's really the relationship of values you want to see, the absolute value isn't necessarily as important.

Be Cautious of Monochrome Filters

Just a heads up that filters on your phone or in apps use algorithms to create a certain style and may not faithfully translate color into value. I personally prefer the more natural look of just dialing down the saturation in a photo when I'm trying to understand value.

Use Procreate or Photoshop

Programs like these are quite powerful and give you many additional ways to understand value. In the video, I show you how to use Saturation and Curves to almost create a Notan map of values where there are only light, medium, and dark values. You can also give the posterize effect in Photoshop a shot.

Try a Black Mirror or your Phone

Black mirrors can lessen the amount of color you're seeing, and you can kinda use your phone screen (when it's off) as a black mirror. Hold it perpendicular to your eyes right next to your head and move until you can see your art and your reference.

Try Red or Green Plastic Filters

Looking at photos or objects through a piece of colored plastic helps reduce the color in what you're seeing and emphasizes the values. You could try finding your own bits of clear plastic, or order these plastic pieces or plastic glasses online: https://amzn.to/3zEjODy (This is an affiliate link.)

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