Unit 3 Value Vocab

Value

The quality of lightness or darkness of a line, shape, form, or space without the presence of hue.

Value Scale

A scale of grays running from dark gray to light gray or from black to white, showing degrees of lightness and darkness.

Aspects of Value

The three aspects of value: Shade (addition of black), tint (addition of white), and middle gray (50% tint and shade).

Black (in terms of value)

The absence of light where all rays are absorbed (subtractive).

White (in terms of value)

The totality of light where all rays are reflected (subtractive).

Mid-tones

Values located in the center of an achromatic or chromatic scale, midway between black and white.

Gradation

A series or progression of shades and tints from lightest to darkest.

Simultaneous Contrast and Value

How value behaves relative to what it is near; e.g., middle gray appears darker when surrounded by white than by black.

Value Assimilation

Two values close to one another appear the same if separated by distance or a contrasting value.

Local Value

The value of an object seen free from the effects of light and shadow.

Optical Value

The illusion of value achieved through line, dot, or mark, where elements are small and close together.

Achromatic

The absence of hue and saturation, consisting of black, white, and grays made from mixing black and white.

Light Source in Art

The direction from which light is traveling in a composition, affecting how forms are illuminated.

Value Contrast

The value relationship between adjacent areas of light and dark.

Value Emphasis

Using value contrast to create a focal point within a composition.

Chiaroscuro

The distribution of light and dark in a picture to create depth and space, introduced in the Renaissance.

Value Pattern

The shapes made by an arrangement of various light and dark value areas in a composition.

Low-Key Values

Values that are middle gray or darker, ranging from middle gray to black.

High-Key Values

Values that are middle gray or lighter, ranging from middle gray to white.

Highlight

The part of an object receiving the greatest amount of direct light, reflecting the light source color.

Core Shadow

The dark part of an object not directly illuminated by the light source.

Reflected Light

The portion of light deflected from a surface, as opposed to transmitted or absorbed light.

Cast Shadow

The dark area projected from an illuminated form onto other objects or the background.

Sfumato

Leonardo da Vinci's shading technique for a gradual transition of value from light to dark.

Tenebrism

A painting technique characterized by little bright light and lots of almost black shade, used by Caravaggio.

Diminution of Value

The process of diminishing value by its recession in space to an overall darker or lighter state.

Overexposure in Photography

When light areas are bleached out and lack detail due to capturing a dark object against a light background.

Underexposure in Photography

When dark areas are uniformly black and lack detail due to capturing light areas of a scene.

Maximum Value Contrast

The highest contrast in value, from black to white, creating a hard edge and linear quality.

Minimum Value Contrast

The least amount of difference between values, creating a soft edge or vanishing boundary for an expansive feel.