10 Shades Value Study

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There are many different types of values studies. Just using a black and white image as a reference is considered a value study. Today I will show you one of the studies I like to do. We will be shading 10 squares of increasing darkness and then will be practicing the shading on a drape image.  

Materials you will need:

• Graphite pencils of a variety of grades ( 2H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B).

  • For this exercise I used this Faber Castell set 

• Kneaded Eraser 

• Pencil sharpener

• Ruler (optional)

• Eraser

Set Up

First start by putting a strip of grids (10 cells) on the left hand side of your paper (the right hand side if your left-handed). We will reserve the other side of the paper for a drawing (putting it on this side helps avoid you smudging it later on).

Fill in Cells

Next you will get your lightest grade pencil (the largest H value) and with the lightest touch start filling in the first cell. While you do this try to:

• stay within the lines

• make the whole box one even shade; going over the lighter bits if necessary. 

Once you are satisfied with your first cell continue to the next cell. As you move to each next cell, explore how you will get your darker shade. Generally there are 3 options:

• press down harder

• layering. continue shading over a previous layer

• switch to a darker pencil (i.e. 2H -> H -> HB -> B -> 2B -> 4B ...)

In this exercise I only use pencils between 2H and 6B, but you can get a wider variety of grades. I also only do 10 squares, but you can do 30 if you like. 

While you are doing this exercise, you will get a feel for:

• the limits for each grade; i.e. the pencils will start to scratch the paper if you push them too hard. 

• How soft some of the darker B pencils feel

• how to vary the pressure you apply

Draw something

Ok! Now we get to draw something. I've seen folks have a number of references after the grid shading part. I've seen spheres, cubes, and arbitrary black and white photos. Here we will be doing drapes. I downloaded a free stock image of a drape and made it black and white. As you do this think about how you go specific shades before and identify those on the image. This is a tough reference, so don't worry about making it look good, your drawing will improve regardless of the outcome. If you are really not up for the drapes, try a sphere. 

Here is my go at it. I didn't do the whole thing; just the bottom bit.  Note I didn't sweat the exact dimensions either, but if you want to sweat it try using a grid to help. 

And there you have it! You've done a value study. Good Job! You are already improving your technique. 

Here is a video of me going through the exercise:

If you want to start your painting journey, I've put together a list of all my go to supplies to get you started. 

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