CREATING DYNAMIC VALUE PATTERNS.
The Pattern of Values that underlies each painting is what sets the mood of the painting and creates DYNAMICS__exciting movements and energetic interplays within the frame of the composition that demand the attention of the viewer. Once this Pattern of Values is created, we can concentrate upon our painting technique, and upon the color necessary to finish expressing our idea to the viewer. If our painting does not portray its mood, its emotion or message through its Value Plan__ the black, white and grays arrangement__ it will usually fail to do so no matter what else we do with color, line, texture, proportion or technique.
SEVEN APPROACHES TO PRODUCING A PLEASING VALUE PLAN.
Now we begin to explore ways to make Mini-Sketches for specific future paintings, working from our photos, sketches, or on location (plein-air).
Understand, as we sketch or paint, we are not looking for "answers" to how to paint well, but for APPROACHES to expressing in more personal ways__ our own "Visual Language". Even with identical subject matter, each person's work will be different __ exclusively his/hers.
The rest of this workbook presents a series of approaches meant to sharpen your sense of composition/design. The hope is that you can use your understanding of the formal principles of design, and find the unique elements and processes which form YOUR personal "Language of Vision" and communicate what YOU feel about the subject matter.
APPROACHES:
A. Clustering/Overlapping Shapes.
B. Geometric & "Letter" Patterns.
C. Action Lines-Horizontal Bands.
D. Spherical/Oval Action Lines.
E-G: Three Value Plan Approaches to the same subject.
E. Create the Light Pattern first.
F. Create the Dark Pattern first.
G. Create a Midtone (Gray) Underlay first.
A conscious effort is required to interpret what we see as SIMPLE VALUE STATEMENTS into which we will eventually define the realistic images we love.
Through these Approaches, the painting will FORM ITSELF INTO WHAT IT WISHES TO BECOME__ it SELF-ORGANIZES. All the artist has to do is Observe, and then Cooperate with what he/she sees occurring on the canvas/paper.
When we begin to visualize our subject matter as VALUE SHAPES that will decorate a 2-dimensional space (canvas or paper), our artworks will take on an added visual strength that lifts them above the predictable results of a literal (realistically exact) interpretation of the subject. Remember: YOU ARE A CO-CREATOR HERE.
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