Term
Value
Meaning
Value is the lightness or darkness of a tone, independent of colour. In figure drawing it describes how light falls on forms, from the lit planes to the core shadow, and a simple start is to divide the figure into two or three value groups such as light, mid and shadow. It matters because value, more than line, makes a form look solid and sets depth: stronger contrast tends to read as nearer. Design the shadows as one connected pattern. See also: Terminator, Core shadow, Reflected light and the guide "Torso, Mannequins and Light on Form: Building Solid Figures".