How to Improve Your Art - UNDERSTANDING TONAL VALUES

The one thing all artists must master is tonal values. Tonal value is everything! In this video I share with you ways to understand and practice controlling tonal values. Understanding Values is one of the fundamentals of art that you must learn. Value, even more than color, is one of the most important ingredients to a works success.
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[@user-wp2ej7bk7d]

You reminded me so much of what I learned 60 years ago in my college art classes. Thanks so much.

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Right on. The basics never go out of style! :)

[@julietatro9700]

Thank you for the wealth of knowledge 😉

[@DtroitDinosaur]

You are welcome. I hope it helps.

[@ericswain4177]

Your right about one knowing the "Rules" before "Breaking" the Rules. I think it's one of the key reasons why there is so much contemporary art out there today that will not stand the test of time. I am a collector of art, not an artist and as a collector, and as such I facilitate the dissemination of art in and around its many venues. I implore novice artists to visit galleries of the great artists and really spend time with a single painting, at least an hour, and really look at it, texture, tone, color, size, composition. Up close ! Fare away ! Different angels ! See how the ambient light changes as your perspective of the artwork change along with the texture, tone, color, Etc... When I consider a artwork for my collection I do this.

[@DtroitDinosaur]

That’s great advice. When I was in art school I spent the first two years spending hours in the Detroit Institute of Art. My time there by myself was one of the most important elements of my education. It shapes the way you “see”. Thanks Eric.

[@RGBSupremacy]

I work with pencil and not paint but I can still see this exercise being incredibly helpful. Love the encouraging tone in your videos, thank you for teaching this method , especially the cardstock! :)

[@DtroitDinosaur]

I’m so glad you find it helpful!

[@TheRon0mac]

Thanks for the tonally rad video! Great information!

[@flyfisherman3649]

Great advice! Gonzaga art instructor would only let his students use black and white for the 1st Semester so they would learn values. Everyone wants "color", but without understanding values they will run into issues pretty quickly.

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Agreed! The majority of problems with paintings have their roots in understanding tonal values.

[@brycenew]

Really excellent James! And your last tip is priceless! Many thanks mate 🔥

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Thank you.

[@davidteeramusic5461]

The best explanation of tonal value I've heard in a while! In my experience, most people will often over think it. And, I have been guilty of this myself now and again (especially with hyper realistic water).

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Thank you David. I appreciate you taking time to comment.

[@avialbersbenchamo4797]

Super great ❤🌈

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Thank you.

[@waleezeart4295]

Enjoying this. You really deliver content. And reminded me of an old basic exercise I've neglected for too long Thanks We never outgrow our need for basics.

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Thank you. I liken it to musicians practicing scales. Have to do it to stay sharp.

[@wyatt2000]

This dude needs more subs!

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Thank you Wyatt I appreciate that.

[@azaz-ty1bn]

Use steam punk red lenses glasses, and you'll see black and white/gray values easily.

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Hey that's great. Also I sometimes convert color reference to B&W. Thanks for the tip.

[@imcrimson8618]

One of the best videos on tonal value’s I’ve watched thus far. It scratches the itch of “why” instead of just the how

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Thank you. I hope you find it helpful.

[@imcrimson8618]

@@DtroitDinosaur indeed it was

[@cliffberry1900]

Wow! What an all encompasing and jam packed video. Tone is exactly what I've needed work on. This really helps. Thanks.

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Thanks Cliff. All the best!

[@charlesa3374]

Excellent video! Value is the most important aspect of any undertaking, and you've described it perfectly! And....great hat!

[@gregorysmith1759]

Thank you

[@sadananddbankapur2444]

Superb way of explaining!!! Very complex subject yet very well explained...Thank you ..Liked n subscribed 🌹

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Thank you for the kind words. It means a lot.

[@thatta1901]

thank you very much, this will help me a lot!

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Hey great! Thank you.

[@arizonakoi1980]

Great work and a beautiful reference photo to help demonstrate tonal values.

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Hey thanks. I appreciate that.

[@barriemeredith907]

Great stuff mate thankyou

[@MuriloAIto]

Epic!

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Thank you. Hope you find it helpful.

[@vincentcooper9139]

great video.

[@Notmypie]

This was great. Thanks! Im going to show this to my year 10 students 🙂

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Oh terrific. I hope they find it helpful.

[@jillleigh7378]

Great help. thank you

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Thank you. All the best with your studies.

[@davinsrandom3142]

Great exercise.

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Thanks man.

[@dgrizzley]

Great video very informational thank you

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Thank you John. I appreciate it.

[@Static_stasis]

Hello Mr.Owens! Do you have any tips for graphite drawings? I'm trying to work with graphite and tonal values, but I'm having a hard time with it since I'm used to acrylic/oil paint and fineliners

[@DtroitDinosaur]

Hi. I think I would do the same exercise with graphite that I demonstrated with paint. You will probably need multiple pencils to get the full range of tones. The more we understand about the limits of our chosen medium the better. Also maybe switch up the way most people think about “drawing”. Focus less about line and more on blocks of tone while constructing you piece. I hope this helps. All the best.

[@Static_stasis]

Thank you so much! @@DtroitDinosaur