Tools for Getting More Accurate Value

Artist Randy Hayashi (Ep.68) knows that values matter. As a landscape painter, he’s using values to portray form and distance in his work.

He uses his reference photos to create a value plan… but a value plan is only half the battle.

He also has to be able to mix the correct value.

Here’s where his system for mixing colors really helps him.

Hayahsi stores his paint in an acrylic bead box. However, he mixes his paints on a 5x8 inch card made of coroplast. This is the material used in lawn signs.

This lightweight card means his mixing palette is super portable, which in turn makes it easy to check his values before he uses the mixtures in his paintings. All he has to do is hold up the card to his reference to check if he’s in the right value range.

If yes, he adds the color to his paintings.

Once the sheet is covered in paint, he tosses it and grabs another.

Put it to practice:

Learning to mix the right value is something even guests on the show still struggle with. It’s because learning to mix the right value is complex.

But there are tools you can use to make it easier for you to check your values after you’ve mixed them.

First, check your palette. The majority of palettes are white. But white actually makes accurate value mixing really tough.

Look for a palette that is gray. This might help you get closer to the right value straight out of the gate.

But if you don’t want to get a new palette, try physically comparing your paint mixture to you reference BEFORE you add it to your painting.

You could do this through simply holding your brush up or dab the mixture on a card and hold that up.

Or like Hayashi, try mixing your colors on a surface that is easy to hold up to your reference. That way you’re more likely to do the value check BEFORE laying it down on your painting.

Values matter. The closer you can mix your colors to the values in your value plan, the stronger your paintings will be.