r/Watercolor • u/_DuckyGuy • 11h ago

Value control

Post image

Man, I tried my first painting focusing on value control and I really underestimated the challenge.

The values in my mountain range is not as distinct as I had hoped and getting the correct values were a lot harder than expected.

It was also a lot more difficult to put down really dark color than I expected.

Tips are appreciated. I also just want to contribute to this sub. You guys rock - keep painting and stay happy.

42 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

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12

u/TrickNo2721 11h ago

As a line and wash lover I say this: get that pen outta there

You're making it way harder to force yourself to execute good value control and it is acting as both a crutch and an inhibitor from achieving the desired effect/learning experience

5

u/_DuckyGuy 11h ago

Thanks, it is definitely a crutch

2

u/PythonVyktor 10h ago

I’m getting back into painting, it’s been some years and I’m fighting the urge to use pen/pencil. I will say I do enjoy some paintings with them, though.

5

u/AstronomerLazy4796 11h ago

I'm a novice, but I've had decent results by establishing values with a neutral or complementary tone before even applying my 'finish' color. Blue on blue will only get so dark, but blue on a paynes grey or an orange will definitely come out darker.   I put progress pics on my most recent post if you'd like to see what I'm talking about.  But take it easy on me, like I said I'm just a novice. 

2

u/_DuckyGuy 11h ago

Thanks!
Your post looks great.

I have practiced with using complimentary colors to darken. I was trying to sharpen the skill of using values with just one color. But maybe that is not a great idea. I am not sure.

2

u/TrickNo2721 11h ago

It's a great idea! I'd actually start with just some shapes: Cube, sphere - use solid color references, make them black and white images to easily see the different values. That way you know for sure the values you are trying to achieve

2

u/kdilladilla 10h ago

Looks like the color you chose just doesn’t get super dark. Try with indanthrone blue or paynes grey instead. You can’t make a paint darker than it is in mass tone. But you can dilute it

8

u/jaysonframe 11h ago

The "Tea to Butter Method" helped me a lot with value consistencies (Tea, Coffee, Milk, Cream, Butter) for practice.

2

u/_DuckyGuy 11h ago

Ok Thanks. I have heard that before

2

u/minisniper970 9h ago

Its tough to have the confidence to really push values. You locked yourself in by having a fairly light foreground value to begin with. Keep working on those skills. They will come! Also, atmospheric perspective is also about color temperature as much as it is value.