Quick Exercise to Improve Your Watercolor Skills | The Value Scale

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Hi there, Liron here!
Today I want to share with you a really good and simple painting exercise, that will help you improve your painting skills in multiple ways.
🎨VALUE SCALE EXERCISE 🎨
This exercise involves creating a value scale, from light to dark (a very common exercise when it comes to pencil sketching, and even pen and ink).
I'm using three paints for this one:
1. Sap Green (Daniel Smith)
2. Carbazole Violet (Daniel Smith)
3. Indian Yellow (SAA)
I chose a variety of paints with different value ranges, to demonstrate how this will work.
🎨EXERCISE BENEFITS 🎨
1. Improving your visual perception and ability to discern how dark or light an object is.
2. Become familiar with your paints' value ranges.
3. Practice different techniques (such as lifting, charging etc.) in a "safe" environment.
🎨CONCLUSION 🎨
I hope you enjoyed this one!
Let me know what you thought of this in a comment below, and we'll get a conversation going (:
Take care, and we'll talk really soon,
- Liron
** MUSIC CREDITS **
Music by Joakim Karud / joakimkarud
Music by @joakimkarudmusic

[@thatswhatshesaid.literally737]

😀👍 *Love this exercise! If I'm having trouble with certain values in a painting, I'll stop and do this with the colors I'm using in that piece, which really does help in allowing me to see the different values working side by side ahead of time. Then I can make the mistakes on the exercise rather than my artwork. 😌 Lol! 😂 I've also found it helpful to switch between colors, for example do the darkest of Sap Green, then do the second to lightest Violet color, then go back to Sap Green, etc... That way it challenges me to the fullest extent to get those values correct.* *Liron, I hope you realize what a blessing you are to the watercolor community! 👍😀 Thanks for sharing!*

[@LironYan]

Thank you so much 🙏🏼😊 This really means a lot to me, thank you for the kind words. And I do the same sometimes, this really works if I'm stuck!

[@josephinemaxwell795]

Liron Yanconsky y

[@josephinemaxwell795]

Great way to get the proper value

[@staceg2003]

Had to pause in my viewing to comment - one of the reasons I like to watch your tutorials is that you don't hide your palette. While I know experience is the best teacher, when I'm unable to actually sit down and paint, I like to watch artists to try and expand my knowledge of techniques to try … and am often frustrated because I only see the middle (brush on paper) and end (finished painting) result, without the beginning steps - palette, color choice, paint mixing, etc. This part is so very helpful!

[@LironYan]

Oh so happy to hear! 😊🙏🏼 The palette is one of the most important places to observe indeed! So much of the painting process happens there (:

[@pandoraefretum]

@@LironYan You are so right about this... it's amazing how many of the classic DVD demonstrations leave the palette out completely... the consistence of the paint is hard to get across... we need descriptions liek "watery"... "oily" .. "viscosity" etc

[@GlendaVGarcia]

Value scale... I skipped drawing and went directly into painting, and it's hard to go back to the basic principles! It's a good exercise to add to your arsenal. What I sometimes do, after I've finished a painting, I take a picture, turn it to grey scale and evaluate how off I was with my values. It's sometimes scary but I learn quickly what I misjudged and it's getting better. Thanks for sharing!

[@LironYan]

Haha yes - I do that a lot too! Sometimes even during the painting process, if I really struggle with a value that’s off, or anything like that (:

[@samuelmuiga3101]

This is a great tip I've picked up today!! Thank you. Ive been squinting all over. My neighbors think I'm insane😂😂

[@scottenosh4548]

I used Perm. Olive Green, Magenta Violet, and Cad. Yellow Light on this exercise. Lol, I goofed up the yellow pretty good. But this is an excellent tool for those of us with partial colorblindness.

[@LironYan]

Haha makes sense! Yellows have a small range to begin with (: Also, partial / full colorblindness will definitely have an impact!

[@Plookiss]

I'm just starting out, thanks so much for this. I wasn't aware of all the values I can go.

[@marlenefraser7498]

This was extremely helpful. I am going to do more exercises on my own. I’d love to hear more about how different colours have different values. Sometimes my paintings look flat because of this. And no matter how much I darken the darkest shade there isn’t enough contrast to begin with.

[@hattiecoughlan6433]

Love your teaching style, very positive and helpful. Thanks for this!

[@zhinekelsang3768]

Very very helpful. I lost the use of my dominant right hand and am teaching myself how to paint with my left hand. I really like how you actually show us how to do it- brunsh in water, lift with towel etc . The hands on approach is very helpful. It has allowed me to be aware of mistakes I was making because I didn’t pay attention to values enough. Also, I love your vocal presentation! Could you make a video of how to figure how much water to use and other basic techniques ? I can’t get control of it...

[@susankievman642]

Zhine Kelsang ,as a native left handed, I learned to use a mirror while watching some videos nice I tend to paint the opposite direction from the video. Looking through the mirror pointing at the computer is helpful.

[@LironYan]

Yes! I'm actually planning to do a beginner's video on how to handle paint on the palette and so on. It has so many nuances. Even the type of brush can have an impact. Happy you found this helpful - and thank you for sharing your experience ^_^ @Susan Kievman - great suggestion!

[@w.l.691]

Bravo Zhine. Hope you're doing OK :D

[@suegraumann6369]

This is the best video I have seen on VAlues I got this! Thanks, Liron!

[@Cre-Art]

I'm so new to watercolors I don't really know how to handle the paint, but your videos really help. This exercise showed me just how much variety can be achieved with one color when you simply adjust its value. I was happy to see the results on my paper. Plus, the subtle changes created by the glazing is another thing I can make use of when I actually start painting.

[@ewwwobbie]

I can certainly see how this will be valuable to me. Thank you!

[@KrisDeBruineStudio]

This is great. I just completed a similar exercise. It is very helpful.

[@JHEN2219]

As always, super helpful video! Great explanation and good job keeping everything engaging and interesting as you go along.

[@christierella]

I love the exercise videos. I'm trying this one today! I appreciate you.

[@kathleenm3443]

A very valuable exercise. Thank you. Love all your thinking along the way, with demonstrating.

[@birgitblume4980]

Thank you Liron! It's super helpful and fun!

[@LironYan]

So happy I can help! (:

[@lindathaxton1994]

Great exercise for all - thank you

[@ianjackson5834]

a great exercise, its some thing i do with bits of scrap watercolour paper to test dynamic range in a paint. thanks Liron

[@LironYan]

Yes, that's always a good habit! (:

[@georginakaulback6572]

You are very helpful to understand more about color and how to use it, keep up the good work!

[@patriciadunleavy2219]

Thank you, this was really quite helpful!

[@vincentcassar3549]

This is a fantastic exercise. Definitely I'm gonna try it out. As a matter of fact I'm gonna do it on my sketchbook as it shall act as a reference point for future works. Thanks a million for sharing your knowledge.

[@LironYan]

Oh that’s really smart! Plus I love filling up my sketchbook with these kinds of exercises, I find they add grace to the whole thing 😊🙏🏼 Thank you!

[@barbaraverser1056]

Yes! I just did this last week, both in graphite pencils and watercolor, in a class I'm taking. I have trouble with light values, and even in this exercise I had trouble with the yellow (I used gamboge). Thank you for this. I plan on taking your drawing class as soon as I'm done with the one I'm taking now. Love your videos!

[@MelissaRiccardi]

Thank you so much for this so fun!!!! I bought my first paints today and keen to try this exercise!! Keep up the tutorials please

[@karenmccoy5951]

Very very helpful. I’ll be doing the value scale, and those little cutouts are great in figuring out which color you need.

[@janisvogt1079]

You've always been very helpful and this was also a great help. Thank you!

[@LironYan]

Thank you 😊🙏🏼 I’m so happy to hear!

[@mariegamber]

Thank you so much Liron. I have come to realize that I. will never move forward in my watercolor painting until I master the value scale. This is one of my biggest challenges. Thank you for such an informative tutorial. You're great!

[@sharonstewart6498]

I love these exercises... I like my progress in painting! Thank you!

[@cindyhorton6980]

This was a very valuable lesson!! Thank you so much! I never thought of doing this!😀😀❤

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear, thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@sophieha7616]

Added this to my saved videos. Invaluable information. I am really too cautious with the amount of pigment I use. Your video will help me overcome this

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear ^_^ Thank you!

[@suemills8834]

This is something I really struggle with so I made myself some tonal colour charts. It is really helpful, thank you!

[@margaretmartin6620]

This is a great video. Invaluable information for someone beginning in watercolour and also for those of us who need reminding! ;) It's a great warmup exercise as well. Thank you, Liron! :)

[@LironYan]

My pleasure! Thank you 😊🙏🏼 I need the reminders too haha

[@darrellb9070]

Thanks for the lesson, as a beginner really learned a lot

[@3horsefan]

Very helpful - thank you!

[@airizarry12]

Thank You, great information.

[@LironYan]

Thank you! Happy to hear 😊🙏🏼

[@jeromebonto8680]

Hi Liron, thanks for this very useful exercise. I've been doing this for a few days now and it really helps me to understand how to build up colors in my work.

[@susanphillips323]

This was an excellent tutorial. Thank you!

[@LironYan]

Happy to hear 😊🙏🏼 Thank you!

[@georgialawson4761]

GREAT VALUE iDEAS....I can use this easy way to do Values to teach my students about Value Perception.....thank you

[@mikeyfinger8026]

Thanks so much for this video. I literally was doing this exercise this afternoon before I watched. I am looking to you for educational purposes so I pay very close attention to the things you say and sometimes even take notes. I don’t know how to draw and I have never water colored but I enjoy paint and paper so we’ll see what happens from there. Hopefully some happy accidents. ✌️❤️&🌺

[@LironYan]

Awesome! That’s a great place to be in 😁👌🏼 Enjoying what you do is a huge key to natural development. So happy I can help you, thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@pandoraefretum]

Thanks. This is a beautiful exercise to improve one's control of watercolour tone. When I first moved to the watercolour medium I found pans easier to control tonally... but I was encouraged to use tube paint, especially for the intense darks. With tube paint this exercise I find much harder... I did it 4 times, and my best / most even attempt was the 4th going from dark to light... ie. adding more water.... I finally got 5 equally spaced values... but I reckon I should do this another 100 times... I used Payne's grey ... now to try Sepia, then perhaps one of the blues.

[@meyerphilip]

I should really add that to my routine. A very valuable exercise. Thank you

[@LironYan]

Happy to hear you found it valuable! (:

[@carlduffin]

I find it helps if I have a piece of the same paper I am using on another board so I can trial colours, tones and thumbprints on the side paper before I commit to the actual painting. Takes a lot of stress out of the work.

[@barbaramiddleton2419]

I have never seen the glaze method to determine value. The lift method is also a helpful tip. Thank you!!👍

[@sharonmcmonagle3762]

I struggle with values & your video really helped me. Ty🎨

[@Roslyngal]

I do a quick ‘caterpillar’ style value swatch of the colours I’ve chosen, before I launch into a painting. I’ve noticed it really helps me limit my palette. There is often so much variation within a single pigment that I often can eliminate some pigments that I thought I would need. So for instance PY129 can act as my green (in masstone) but also my yellow (thin glazes). The rusty iron oxides are good for this too: it can cover the gamut of dark brown to pale peach with just one pigment (and water!). It helps with harmony across the painting too, when I can cut down on the number of colours I’m using. Thanks for the exercise, and the comments on ‘watching the palette’. I know I’ve sometimes had to strain to try and hear what some KZbin tutors are doing offscreen- was that a swish in the water? Did she just bend that arm and dip again into the pan? Aaarrrrggghhh!

[@LironYan]

That's another great example of how helpful this can be 😁👍🏼 It seems like you make the most out of it. And yes - I know what you mean regarding off-screen talking / noises 😂😂

[@lindathaxton1994]

How did you know about value difficulties of us beginners 🤪. Great lesson & much needed for me! Thank you LIRON 👍👌

[@marco.nascimento]

Very nice exercise. I haven't been painting for quite a long time and recently I'm trying to come back at it. Your videos and tips are really informative and have been quite helpful. Great work, cheers from Brazil :))

[@LironYan]

Thank you 😊🙏🏼 Happy to hear I can help. I love Brazil - visited some places there a few years back - absolutely beautiful country.

[@Life_of_TUSH]

Yes!!! This is everything!!!!

[@LironYan]

😊😁 It's a great exercise!

[@prasadugaonkar]

Great.

[@msprofessr]

Great lesson. Thx so much. Now I have a better understanding of a value chart and glazing. Have you done any lessons on tints and tines?

[@chantelmcskimming6633]

Liron!! Thank you for another helpful demo. At first, I thought it would be super easy, then I tried it -- Ah-Ha! Tougher than I thought 😊 Time to practice ☺️

[@caterinapierotti952]

Yesterday I bought my very first palette of watercolours, this tutorial was soooo helpful, thank you so much! Personally I find it easier to go from the lightest shade to the darkest, maybe it's because menaging the amount of pigment it's easier than modulating the quantity of water, at least for a beginner like me

[@LironYan]

Thank you, so happy you found this one helpful 😊🙏🏼 And I get what you mean. For me too it's easier to go light to dark. Mid-dark values are the most challenging range for me, and I still learn how to better see the nuances of light and shadow.

[@LyNguyen-ne2vm]

Omg thank you so much!

[@LironYan]

My pleasure 😊🙏🏼 Happy this helps!

[@rosemarypetersen143]

I’m so glad you did this exercise because I want to do it but was worried I’d be wrong. My paintings seldom turn out as bright as I want

[@LironYan]

That's one good way of practicing this (: Thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@alexg.5850]

Super helpful!👏

[@LironYan]

So happy to hear (: Thank you!

[@Misslolita-ye4hu]

Can you do more Watercolor exercices please ?! Luv yoy you're the best artist evrr

[@user-bl6vb3vk5q]

Can you so the colour wheel beside these lessons i am struggling with shading and what side of the colours do you start from black up to the lightest colour in your paint plalette

[@annabellereid4088]

Very helpful 🙏😊

[@LironYan]

Happy to hear this helps 😊🙏🏼 Thank you!

[@mariaperezpereira7678]

De gran valor

[@natlisan]

awesome exercise Liron! It's amazing that I've never really paid attention to me palette when I mix. I kinda zone out to tell you the truth!

[@LironYan]

Hahaha that happens to my too sometimes 😂 But it’s important to notice what’s going on there

[@natlisan]

I know right! a good album on the iPod and i'm in the zone!!!but i'll definitely make a point to be more aware.

[@davidlevitt1980]

Thx for the helpful videos, Liron! As a beginner I’m watching a lot of instructional videos, but I have a question that none of them address. Say I have a color that I add a lot of water to in order to get a light value. But I’m doing wet on wet and if I apply this watery paint on wet paper it is going to spread way more than I want it to. Any suggestions?

[@LironYan]

You can do pretty much whatever you want (: if you use the light paint early enough it’ll be fine. Also, you can place it, let it spread too much and repaint over the areas you want to fix, while it’s still wet (: What most people do is start with a very wet paper, and THAT would be the time to pour in light wet paint. And as it gradually dries, they begin introducing darker and darker paint (: Lastly - watch this vid, it’ll probably help 😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmmtgH2fbcR2ocUsi=OoDvQLM-tit1C_56

[@gladiarthergaming2616]

Can you make a video about ciculr passpective???

[@LironYan]

Yes! I’d like to talk more about perspective in the near future, will have that in mind ☺️🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@Misslolita-ye4hu]

Can i ask you If i learn watercolor and become good at it will oil colors painting be easier to learn ?! Imean does it have the same techniques ???

[@ifoundthisthing7954]

“For give me if I......” You’re a human being not a robot :)

[@LironYan]

😊🙏🏼

[@Diego_SanCA]

What Is the difference between darker value and more chroma?

[@almila1368]

What's the brand of the watercolor you used? Thanks for the helpful video btw

[@LironYan]

Thank you for watching 😊🙏🏼 Sap Green & Carbazole Violet are by Daniel Smith And the Indian Yellow / New Gamboge is either SAA, or Daniel Smith too (the two brands are VERY SIMILAR and I believe share production factories).

[@crazednoob430]

This is what I have been missing in my work. I always go too dark too thick too fast

[@PaintWithNisha]

WOW 😮. These exercises are so good 😀. Loved this tutorial 😃. Btw...I uploaded a sketch on my channel 😃.

[@LironYan]

Thank you ^_^

[@christinatrager7803]

Liron -- what is the color just below the sap green on your palette?

[@LironYan]

That’s actually Phthalo Blue (: And above it is Undersea Green

[@catrinwilliams3016]

Hi your video is brilliant. My paint can’t get darker like yours. Does that mean mine are low quality ?

[@LironYan]

It could mean that - what brand are you using? (: Some paints are also naturally lighter. But if it's a red or blue - it should get quite dark. Using tubes rather than pans can also help

[@catrinwilliams3016]

Liron Yanconsky I’m a student so can’t afford anything expensive and I’m using daler rowney watercolour pan. I think I will switch to tubes :))

[@LironYan]

@@catrinwilliams3016 Yes! That should already be a good move (: I would also check out White Night paints - they are relatively cheap and great quality (tubes)

[@maryannperkins6000]

What is the exact name of the brush you are using. My brushes are softer Great exercise

[@LironYan]

This is a Princeton Select, round, size 12 , but these days I'm using Escoda & Lebenzon brushes much more (: My favorites are the Versatil (Escoda) and Large Goat (Lebenzon). Hope this helps 😊🙏🏼

[@raniazakaria4602]

What is the brand of this nice brush

[@LironYan]

It’s a Silver Black Velvet! Size 12 These are my favs (:

[@raniazakaria4602]

Thanks a lot

[@allarahmcmullin3917]

😃👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@LironYan]

(:

[@RossMacfarlane25]

too much rambling....