Value Structure
Planning lights and darks before color
Also known as: Values · Value painting · Value study · Grayscale painting · Value masses · Tonal values
Definition
Value structure is the arrangement of lights and darks in an image, independent of color. A strong value structure uses a few large value masses, typically three to five, to make the image read clearly, and the eye goes first to the strongest contrast. Concept artists work out values in grayscale before adding color, because color can only support a design whose values already work, and because games are often viewed small, where values carry the readability.
In production
Group shapes into light, middle and dark masses, keep the darkest darks and lightest lights for the focal area, and use close values elsewhere. Squint or shrink the image to check it, and use a grayscale view or an adjustment layer in Photoshop or Krita. Value planning matters for 3D lighting too: a scene in clay render with good value structure will hold up once textured.
Learn Value Structure in
Tools that use Value Structure
See also
Digital Painting Looks Flat
Fix a painting that lacks depth and punch
Silhouette
The readable outline of a shape
Clay Render
Model shown in plain matte gray
Composition Basics
Arranging shapes to guide the eye
Color Script
Color plan for a story or a game
Thumbnail Sketch
Small, fast sketches for exploring ideas