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Value & Chiaroscuro
Chiaroscuro
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- Chiaroscuro is the Italian word for modeling, a gradual transition from light to dark to create a spatial illusion.
- Cylinders, cones, and organic forms change gradually.
- Angular shapes - cubes, pyramids - change abruptly.
- Light from one direction reveals the structure of the object, volume, and planes.
General categories seen when light falls over a form:
- Highlight
- Light
- Shadow
- Core of the shadow
- Reflected light
- Cast shadow
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See and define a range of values.
Define edges of shapes by changing value.
Create volume by shading - defining dark, medium, and light tones.
Overlap shapes.
Model forms.
REFERENCES
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Look at works by Leonardo daVinci, Hans Holbein, Durer
MATERIALS
White paper 18x24
Ebony pencil, charcoal pencil
Conte 3B
Chamois
Kneaded eraser
Pink pearl eraser
Tone paper by rubbing charcoal into the paper with newsprint, don't use fingers because the oil from your hands will create blotches
SETUP
Basic shapes: cone, cube, sphere, cylinder, and pyramid on white table. Light strongly from one side to more easily see value changes and cast shadows.
LECTURE and DEMONSTRATION
Slides of work by famous artists that use chiaroscuro - daVinci, Durer, Renaissance artists.
Slides of student work.
Demo:
How to create a value scale by changing the pressure of your hand
How to shade basic shapes
Introduction to 1 and 2 point perspective on a cube.
How to tone the paper
Preliminary exercises: Day 1:
Create a value scale from 1 to 10, black to white, by changing the pressure on the tool. Use both a pencil and charcoal to create 2 scales.
Note: pencil and charcoal don't mix.
Students will draw cube, cone, cylinder, and sphere, following along with demonstration. Add values by changing hand pressure. Add values and cast shadows with charcoal, erase highlights as needed.
ASSIGNMENT
Days 2 and 3:
Draw set up of basic shapes consisting of white cones, cylinders, boxes, and spheres.
Light subject strongly from one side.
Tone the paper and use the eraser and charcoal to define values. The toned paper is the medium value. Use the eraser to define the whites and light grays, use the charcoal to define the black and dark grays. Describe 8 to 10 values including white and black.
GRADING: 10 points
Your grade will be based on how well you fulfill the following criteria:
Create a balanced and interesting composition where both the positive and negative shapes are interesting, has good rhythm and flow between the shapes, and the eye moves easily around the page.
Objects break the edges of the picture plane on at least 3 sides.
Objects are well drawn structurally and in correct proportion.
Drawing displays a full range of values from black to white and at least 6 shades of gray.
Edges of objects are defined by value change.
Value changes define the forms.
Value of each object and background is correct relative to each other.