Understanding Tonal Values

[@walker2837]

Very interesting. As an old timer photographer I was used to thinking of tones in the Zone System

[@caseystorm4999]

By far the best demonstration on tonal values ive seen 👍

[@progtom7585]

Nice video, thanks for sharing. I like that saying that "tone does the work but colour gets the credit". Subbed!

[@oliverwalgenbach385]

I'm from Germany and my English is not very well, but you explain very good what you do and what's important. I love your work and it's very helpful for my own development. Thank you very much and I hope you will produce more videos.

[@alspringham]

Wonderful bit of teaching ,many thanks. Anne.

[@deniseconnors8124]

You’ve taught me more in your series of videos than I have learned in 7 years of struggling with various watercolor lessons! Thank you for your detailed and insightful topics and explanations. 👏👏👏

[@lumunyebenjamin-bk9hw]

let us enjoy his lessons

[@tbluemel]

Great video and explanation of your strategy in placing the values! So, so important!

[@1msfit]

It may be a tonal “sketch” but it sure reminds me of Ansel Adams work in black & white photography. He too always worked for a full range of values and used the highlights and deep darks to create drama-definitely not easy when all you have to work with are light sensitive films and papers and pans of various chemicals. Thank you so very much for all of these educational videos that you make. It is very helpful to see how all of the information I have been reading actually works in “real life!”

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Adams was a master of tonal presentation and it really does help sometimes to take colour out of the equation.

[@patriciajung9157]

Your work is beautiful...you've master washes and light. Inspirational

[@DaisyIdes]

Wonderful demonstration. Thank you!

[@legieish]

Glad that you are now active in youtube, bern following you at if for a while, your painting is always my favorite

[@YI-si9nh]

I remember doing this in college for Color Theory class. A very good exercise to understand tonal values for sure.

[@pjprimadonna]

oliver this is amazing. i’m a beginner and yet to do my first original and i think this is a great technique to tackle first, thanks so much👏👏👏

[@jimscanoe]

Thank you for reminding me of the importance of tonal values.

[@shannlakho4805]

Your tutorials are Fantastic! So glad I discovered you! Other tutorials by different artists totally confused me! Thank you for your teaching. Love your style❤️

[@rameshbandekar1557]

Very nice. Beautiful.

[@edwardcameron3042]

Thank you Oliver that was very helpful.

[@soniadepaoli5840]

What a great lesson - You are so clear and concise in your explanation and follow up with this perfect demonstration .This better understanding of tonal values will greatly change the way I approach painting. from now on in! Thank you Oliver .

[@judithlarkin600]

Fantastic tutorial! I have never heard tonal values demonstrated so well! So happy I’ve found your channel! Thank you!

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thanks Judith - pleased it helped

[@jbow68]

Very good tutorial and instruction! Thank you very much; cant hear about values enough!

[@christinedekeuster7378]

Thank you a lot for sharing this video... It also implies : patience, taking time instead of rushing, rushing, rushing on colors... Maybe it can also help people like me who have problems in drawing correctly. Making tonal studies : a precious advice, to me.

[@sandraworrall-hart3840]

Love the way you have left the whites, and reminding about counter-change. Thank you. All of your videos are brilliant.

[@johannamovassat8293]

Brilliant! Thank you so much! Beautifully explained and demonstrated. You’re a superb teacher.

[@vee35233]

Apart from being super helpful, I loved this little painting! Thanks again for sharing your professional knowledge on the importance of tonal values . I have tons more to learn, but with a superb teacher like you I am on the right track. Warm regards from South Africa

[@rafaelsando8665]

Very helpful. Thank you so much!

[@robc9706]

Thank you Oliver .. very well done.

[@debbiefalconer2756]

This is such a great explanation of tonal values, how to plan your work before construction. It has given me the confidence I needed, a clear starting point on my approach for my paintings, thank you.Oliver!

[@margaretmorgan3693]

Excellent tutorial.

[@Marilynnr53]

This is so helpful. I’ve never sketched out a painting like this and I know I need to.

[@pk3679]

Wonderful and thanks so much for all of the help understanding the importance of tonal values.

[@sandrade1734]

Thanks Olli, once again a very clear explanation of why and how to do a tonal sketch. Appreciate the time and effort you put in to your wonderful videos.

[@waniramle9064]

Clear explanation and easy to understand...this really help me to improve my understanding about tonal values

[@kristingoethals4330]

Great exercise !!!! And such a beautiful result. Thank you so much !

[@susannewendt4543]

Thank you so much for your tutorials. I discovered your channel a couple of days ago and have been working my way through them. Such important, useful information, especially for someone like me just starting with landscape painting. I appreciate that you're left handed too - with all the fun that goes with that when you're trying to paint!😊

[@rohitp83]

Sir, you are a magician !

[@elisabethloxley6124]

You have done it again Oliver. Just what I needed to know. You are teaching me invaluable elements. Thank you. I am astounded that I have attempted to learn this before, but never really understood the importance of the concept. Your teaching is extremely effective.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thank you Elisabeth - delighted to hear that the videos are helping

[@appleknocker56]

As a beginner many tutorials say to try doing it in greyscale so only focusing on your tonal values! I’m unable to stretch paper due to neck damage so do smaller pieces & you are an amazing artist & teacher!

[@pammcreynolds]

Very interesting exercise! Thank you!

[@claudiahowell9508]

I love the way you simplified this. I get so anxious to get my painting started I have rarely done a quick study like this but now see how it really helps. I am going to slow down now and do the work, lol.

[@belamartins4410]

Very helpful. Thank you. I wonder which are the numbers and brand of brushes you use, including the thinest one. I´ve learnt so much with this video. Thanks a lot again.

[@warrengarr3709]

Brilliant presentation! Your videos are incredibly helpful and very clear.

[@victorkely6255]

Very good tutorial Oliver and well explained, as far as i'm concerned your audible microphone was fine, it didn't distract from what you were getting across. keep up the good work.

[@juliepinette560]

Thanks Olli for this. When I attempted, it felt a bit like working in the dark tho. Without a clear photo download and your painting at an angle it was really hard to follow the tonal changes in the cliffs. Would have been really helpful to show us the sketch you made in the beginning or a way to take a photo of either that or the inspiration photo itself. But a great subject that I am trying to work on. A video on your sketch making would also be fabulous. Do you try to organize your values in some way to tie them together into larger shapes or? Thank so much teaching!

[@SuperExadidas]

Very useful and great explanation. Thank you Oliver

[@susanwilson1276]

Very helpful, you make it look so easy...practise, practise, practise! 😊

[@deborahamaral8470]

Excellent! Thank you!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🔝🇧🇷

[@pedenchristian3993]

Merci beaucoup ! Realy apreciate your videos !

[@albikapllani2119]

What a pleasure to see this work

[@tmalberto1]

sin saber mucho ingles me ha quedado cristal clear . video sencillo y al mismo tiempo muy muy provechoso. gracias

[@paulramos5373]

Very well explained and fabulous finished work. The video landed the subject of tonal value perfectly. Thanks.

[@laurenpeters9196]

Thank you for this wonderful explanation and video to go with it. It was so very helpful.

[@tomaszrodak]

Thank you, beautidul painting and clear explanation

[@rowenacorlett3146]

just found this video - really helpful. I also watched an introduction to watercolour where you said you were going to do a full series of videos but I can't find them - did you decide not to make any more? Love your painting, they just glow!

[@susanwood4770]

This is a great tutorial. This is something I have a problem with. Your explanation is very clear to me. Thank you very much.

[@dariazajac3496]

Very nice painting of its own! Excellent exercise. I know a little bit on that subject as I use to draw with a pencil, but paint is something a little bit different. Thank you for your explanations.

[@RobertoMoreno]

Thank you very much for this lesson. Very interesting. It would also be a great help if you could add subtitles.

[@davidplotz8451]

Nice tutorial. It'd be really helpful if you could also provide the reference photo, that way we could follow along.

[@yvettebonilla8739]

Thank you. This was extremely helpful

[@1955Puru]

Thank you . Very useful.🙏🏾

[@orcamum]

I really like you my new discovery! Really looking forward to more videos by you.

[@Clauds71]

So subtle and effective, can’t wait to try this thanks 😊

[@jaquelinesobral1062]

Amo o sotaque britânico e amei sua arte. Obrigada por compartilhar.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Gracias Jaqueline - eres muy bienvenido

[@lynnemartin2291]

I love this. I would love to give this a go. A wee bit intimidating but great tutorial. 💁🏻‍♀️

[@andrecardon2141]

Thank you Olli. Would you please show us glazing colors on a tonal value. What do you think on this approach ?

[@filnn]

Vertically is a concept based on ones relativity to the world. To one who slides upon the ground, perhaps horizontal is vertical and vertical is horizontal.

[@MarilynStowers]

I'm so glad I found you, Ollie. Your teaching method is above and beyond anyone else I've found on-line; I have many "aha" moments as I listen to you!! Thank you so very much for sharing such valuable information. I do have a question for you, or whomever out there can clarify for me... Is there a difference between tone and value, or are they the same??

[@rentedtux1883]

Thank you so much Oliver. New sub here.

[@diannemayne2598]

Very helpful discussion on values. Thank you so much! It looks like your paper is a block which I use often, but mine still buckles and it looks like yours did not even with a very wet wash. What am I missing?

[@suzyrue6846]

It's really good, I will try this I think!

[@vishwatercolornagpur]

very nice tutorial sir..

[@tezoodle]

This is so helpful Olly, really useful advice, delivered in a way that is easy to understand, and sympathetic to the beginner or improver. I'm loving your vids! All good wishes to you and yours from another part of Sussex with an interest in the same parts of Dorset 👍😀

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Sussex and Dorset - the best combination!

[@seaknightvirchow8131]

Your sketch is beautiful and would be my masterpiece if I could do it.

[@teressamharnois]

Great video! When you put down your initial wash of water before adding paint, did you leave the white areas dry?

[@roselynbaruch3697]

I'm enjoying your channel and learning a lot. Your video on tonal values is informative. Baring in mind when using colour is more complicated however. Perhaps you could do a video as an example please ☺️.

[@roselynbaruch3697]

@@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442 thank you.lhave made colour cards of all my paint s ranging from intense to medium to pale. am sure this will help me a lot. Being in love with about 60. But definitely appreciate a limited colour scheme. Kind of you to answer clearly. I'm learning much from you.

[@jillianpayne8710]

I am just so impressed with your work and your presentation. I am aged and loving learning water colour from you. I live in Zimbabwe from where it is difficult to send money. How much do your lessons cost please. Thank you Jillian Payne.

[@amandasmith5344]

Tone alone can make such a powerful painting!

[@irmareitz701]

Great tutorial thanks Olly. Interesting to see what you do before you do a painting. Tonal sketch, tonal painting and only then paint. I am learning so much.

This was really useful. It's easy for me to make tonal value studies with pencils, but I struggle to do it with watercolour.

[@hlk01]

So useful. Thank you.

[@jayneskinner4808]

Hi Ollie, I’ve just found you, (I’m a newbie after inheriting art gear), and am thoroughly enjoying your advice. I wonder if your “over-the-shoulder” camera might look over the left one, as I’m getting a neck ache! 😏😊 Thanks very much. Jayne

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Excellent Jayne - welcome to the world of watercolour!

[@stevehenrichs-musicandmoti7031]

This is awesome

[@ruthmoore3470]

That was great and it makes sense. The trouble I have is learning the comparison colours tones.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

It's a future video subject for me, although there's very little to be taught on this subject as it is all about your personal experience and observation of the paint consistency on the palette (unless you want to get bogged down with extensive tonal charts for every colour/mix.)

[@ruthmoore3470]

That's a good point! I'll look for your video. Thank you.

[@angelasirious4541]

What a pity! That this important chapter does not have subtitles. I don't understand English, but with the built-in translators on you-tube I would understand. I would have liked to read your explanations and your point of view on this matter. 😞

[@attiliadin]

So amazing!

[@geetmalasarkar]

Very nice 👌

[@rachelconnor2327]

Thanks so much, this is extremely helpful and timely. :)

[@kennytowns3309]

I just noticed your a South paw..nice work

[@maggietattersfield2859]

Wish I could see the reference photo, when you are painting in the tones. .

[@mariapazaristeaguirre4491]

Hello again, I realize you paint stand position. Can you talk about that? and who is on the piano music? so nice

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

I tend to stand for most of my painting - certainly the larger washes as it gives me more freedom. I often sit down for detail work. Usually Chopin nocturnes for the piano

[@cynthiacooke9785]

I’m too old to live long enough to be able to do this! Will try. Turned 81 last week. How do you decide focal point in these cliffs?

[@gabd6111]

I love this ..

[@bonnyjanineweil9589]

This is a revelation. Too bad your Tuscany trip spring 2024 is already sold out. Next trip you plan, I want to be there!

[@beebee4095]

It would be great to learn from you how to transfer this tonal value lesson to colour. In my art classes I find too many students can do the tonal value using one colour as you have here, but when it comes to doing the same painting using colours they still get stuck with value.

[@gloriatanton3162]

EXCELLENT!

[@StuartwasDrinkell]

Brilliant!

[@pamelapapp2188]

very helpful

[@norberttchouimsty9697]

Merci beaucoup

[@eileent8989]

QUESTION: Hi, Oliver! This was such a well-selected example for your excellent presentation on value. I don't think anyone will ever forget it. My question concerns the values of colors. Color is one of the easier aspects of painting for me, by which I mean that it usually requires relatively less conscious forethought than , for example, composition, and, if the color doesn't go well, I usually know why. Except when it comes to the value of a color.....there, I really do have to think carefully and do lots of comparative testing and, even so, I'm still frequently uncertain. My goal with color is to be as precise as I am with graphite in 9H to 9B ...and to know for sure when I've got it right. It seems like a reasonable goal since we know that there is a scientific answer. In fact, I'd be content with only 10 or 12 levels of value. I''m considered by others to be a relatively loose painter and painting is almost always a joy, regardless of how the painting looks at any given stage, (even the final stage!) so there's no need here for you to tell me to just relax (although I can appreciate why that would be your first reaction 😂). So, my questions to you are: First, how finely do most good painters need to be able, in practice, to categorize the value range of, say, cadmium red? Are 10 levels overkill? Are 3 levels way too few? Is it enough to only be able to compare the value of a color to other colors in the painting? Second, I understand and practice the various ways of removing color from the assessment, through squinting, zero-saturated photos, etc.....but I wonder if there is a means of assessment that doesn't break the rhythm of painting quite as much as these do. Do you know of any strategies that feel less intrusive while painting, but still yield good results? (I frequently do some brief value planning, but I don't pre-plan color itself very much and would prefer to continue to paint that way ....so eventually, I'd like to decide on red in the middle of painting and instinctively reach for the best red and dilute it or mix it perfectly for the value I chose at the very beginning. Third, OK, NOW you can tell me whether I've just gone over the cliff on this subject and should...just relax. These sound like the questions of a crazy person. 😂. Thanks, Oliver!

[@bonnielewis8797]

Wow!

[@johnritter5951]

Philosophical extension: we are always seeking more knowledge through more and more academic degrees on the assumption that the more we "know" the more successful we'll be. But do we also realize, as suggested by this art lesson, that the things we "know" can also be quite limiting and thereby misguide us? Are the White Cliffs of Dover actually white? No. Does knowledge = success? No. Learn to paint...learn to live.