ART BY KELLI 🫶🫶🫶

Hey fellow art lovers! You know, when I first started dabbling in digital art on my iPad with Procreate, I was mostly focused on colors and shapes. But then I stumbled upon something called 'value' in the elements of art, and it totally transformed how I approach my creations. It's like unlocking a secret level! So, what exactly is 'value' in art? Simply put, it's about the lightness or darkness of a color. Think of it as a spectrum from pure white (the lightest value) to pure black (the darkest value), with all the greys and varying intensities of colors in between. It's not just about black and white though; every color has its own value. A bright yellow has a lighter value than a deep navy blue, even if they're both vibrant. Why is understanding value so crucial, especially for digital artists? For me, it's the key to creating depth, dimension, and mood. Without proper value contrast, your artwork can look flat and uninteresting. When you strategically place light values next to dark values, you create visual interest, guide the viewer's eye, and make objects appear three-dimensional. It can evoke emotions too – high contrast often feels dramatic, while subtle shifts in value create a softer, more tranquil mood. In Procreate, exploring value is incredibly fun. I love experimenting with different brushes to create varied textures, like those 'brushstroke-like elements' you might see in my abstract pieces. Using the color picker, I can easily select tints (adding white) and shades (adding black) of my base colors, like those 'pink and peach oval shapes,' to ensure I have a good range of values. Sometimes, I'll even convert my canvas to grayscale temporarily to check my value distribution before reintroducing color. This helps me see if my composition holds up without the distraction of hue. Looking at my own 'vibrant abstract digital painting,' you can see how pairing those soft pinks and peaches with deeper grey tones creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, even in a non-representational piece. It's all about making those intentional choices regarding lightness and darkness. And, as the text in my art often reminds me, 'anything can happen' when you're open to experimenting with these fundamental principles! If you're just starting out, try a simple exercise: sketch an object and then paint it using only shades of grey in Procreate. Focus on distinguishing light, mid-tones, and darks. You'll be amazed at how quickly you develop an eye for value. It’s truly one of the most powerful elements in your artistic toolbox. Once you get a handle on value, your digital paintings will instantly gain more impact and sophistication. Happy creating!