Monochrome Paintings - Value/Tonal Range Practice

[Val]

Here is a series of 4 practice pieces using burnt umber only. This helps me with value/tonal ranges, washes and various techniques such as layering, lifting out, scratching, masking fluid... etc.   Very valuable exercise.
Even though they are just simple little paintings I learn a lot each time I do them.
The next series I'll do will be working with 2 colours, which helps with all of the above, plus mixing and blending. This is where I find the real challenge starts.

[Tony (ASM)]

Thank you for sharing these picture exercises with us. It was interesting to hear how you have learned a great deal as you did them. 

[Kelley]

Very, very cool Val!

[Anya]

Val, I believe that this is the most important aspect of painting, to have your values correct. If you don't have the values correct nothing will look right. You have encouraged me to do some value studies myself, a really valuble exercise.

[nolan]

great exercise and you have done an excellent job with them, well done Val

[Val]

Thankyou all, in the top left painting I finally succumbed to using masking fluid. Always my biggest downfall...forgetting the whites and painting over them.  That's where knowing how to lift out comes in. Thanks to Dennis I've become 'very' good at that!   

[patindaytona]

Very nice Val! Glad to see you're busy with practicing.

[Val]

Thanks Pat. I needed some practice before the portrait course....now I know for sure I need a LOT more practice!
 

[thegrindre]

I'm surprised I have posted a reply in this one earlier.
Very nice, Val. I like 'em. 

[Val]