The Fine Arts
Not a Subject to Be Ignored

God Created: Value
Overview

In God’s majestic design and order, there are 6 basic elements that encompass perfect beauty, or what we are more familiar with, the fine arts. These elements of design are: value, color, space, shape, line and texture. Art can not be accomplished without these things.

Just like any other subject we teach our children, once the foundations are understood, and the applications tried, a final work can be accomplished. The foundations in the fine arts are the basic elements that God has created. Once these are learned and practiced, anyone can enjoy art in their life, and ultimately appreciate the beauty of God all around him. 

Since it is God Who created each one of the elements of perfect beauty, no man in the truest sense can be called a “master” artist. Artists, who have understood God’s elements of design and have mastered their uses and application, are referred to as ‘master’ artists. By observing the masterpieces they have achieved, we can glean better insight into the incredible harmony of God’s elements of design and beauty. 

Introduction to Value

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” …” Then God said, “Let their be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.” (Gen. 1:1-3)

“Then God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night.” (Gen. 1:16)  

Definition of Value: the degree of lightness or darkness of an object. 

Explain to student: 

Without light, there is complete darkness. Light reveals tones and depth. ‘Value’ only exists because God created light. There can never be any value without light.

Observation:

Every color holds a certain amount of value. This can be understood better by copying paintings (or, perhaps, landscape pictures from magazines) in both full color and black & white. By observing the same composition in color and black & white, the student can notice more clearly the value the colors possess. They can also observe the areas of emphasis regarding depth or shadows. Discuss where the light source is coming from. Sometimes there are more than one light source, thus creating overlapping tones and various angles of shadows.

Another, more obvious, way of emphasizing different tonal value among colors is to make (or have the student make) a quick array of colors with crayons or markers and then copy them in black & white. 

Paste the black & white copy under the original as a chart for later reference in their studies.

Application
(lesson suggestions)

Create a graduating scale of tones, beginning with pure white, and ending with pure black. This can be achieved with simple crayons beginning with black, then easing up on the pressure of the crayon to as light as possible. Somewhere in the center of what was just colored, begin very lightly with a white crayon, then gradually press harder as you pass the lightest area previously colored, until pure white is reached.

Archives

ITR