For this second week of remote art classes I thought we would explore some techniques for describing some basic forms with value and shading. For your assignment this week you will only need a pencil, white paper, and perhaps an eraser if you have one. When you are drawing or painting, you can make your work have the illusion of volume and depth by mastering the concept of using Value, which is defined as the relative lightness or darkness of a color. It is an important tool for the designer/artist, in the way that it defines form and creates spatial illusions. Contrast of value separates objects in space, while gradation of value suggests mass and contour of a surface.

Here is an example of a Value scale from dark to light:

I’m including a few videos that we will watch in class that go over the basics of drawing with a pencil and then using shading and value to describe some simple forms.

For your project this week I would like you to choose a coffee cup to draw using what you have learned about Value and shading. It would be best to draw one from real life if you have one around your house. You can light it from one side perhaps by using a lamp or even the flashlight from your cell phone. If you don’t have a coffee cup you surely find an image online or use one of these examples. Take your time and be ready to show me your finished drawing next Monday. Have fun and do your best!

Here is another video that covers drawing a coffee cup: