Focusing on Values, to rescue your illustrations from the middle-value mumbles
Let’s practice drawing contrast!
Seeing contrast requires practice!
If you find your illustrations looking flat and muddied, chances are it’s not a colour problem, but a contrast problem. In this art gym we’ll be focusing on designing contrast into your compositions.
My Discovery
Before I understood values, my work often fell flat, lacking depth and clarity. My images were cluttered with midtones, and it was hard to make key elements stand out.
James Gurney calls this problem the “the middle-value mumbles.”
Fix it and you’ll be able to
Control the viewers attention
Guide their eye
And communicate more with less.
Why Value Matters in Illustration
Depth in Simplicity: Value is the backbone of dimensionality. Breaking down light and shadow into clear sections can make your images feel vibrant and grounded, even with minimal details.
Contrast for Clarity: When used effectively, contrast is a magnet for the viewer’s eye. By creating stark divisions between light and dark, you’ll learn how to highlight what’s most important in your work.
Strengthen Composition: Thinking in values early in the process helps you arrange elements that guide viewers through your illustration, making your work more engaging and memorable.
Control and Focus: Values allow you to dictate the mood of an illustration, whether you’re going for something dramatic, peaceful, or intense. Once you can “see” in values, your creative toolkit expands tremendously.
The Workout
Together we will be drawing some gorgeous black and white photographs, with some specific techniques to cutting away the noise and starting to see values. I recommend a black marker, brushpen and ink, charcoal or anything that has a strong black
This exercise is challenging but liberating.
By stripping away detail and focusing on high-contrast values, you start to see how form, mood, and storytelling emerge naturally. It’s a powerful technique that gets you thinking like a master illustrator.
An Invitation to Level Up
Whether you’re juggling creative roles, reigniting your practice, or looking to improve core skills, learning to work in values is a step that can bring you closer to mastery. Join us for a one-hour session that will reshape how you see light, shadow, and contrast.
Art Gym Workshop Details
What: Drawing Contrast
When: 10.30PM (Malaysia time), check your local time in the RSVP link
Where: Live on Zoom with replays (Exclusive to Art Gym paid subscribers, link below)
This workshop is suitable for all skill levels! We’ll start with an instructional segment, where I’ll walk you through the exercise, followed by a live demo and a guided practice session.
You’ll have time to try out this technique alongside us, with Katie and I offering guidance and prompts to get the most out of your drawings.
Ready to work out those values? Sign up now and bring clarity and focus to your creative process! (RSVP BELOW)
See you there,
Adam & Katie
Sign up to join us live!
An annual subscription give you 12 Live Drawing Workshops (via Zoom) for the unbelievable low price of $100!
In Addition you will also get access to all previous workshops INSTANTLY including:
That’s 20 Drawing Workshops and lots of new drawing buddies for $100 a year.
Here’s the link and timings for the next workshop if you want to join live, as always recordings will be emailed out to you within 24 hours.
If you’re already signed up here’s the link to register for the next session, you’ll also get a recording of the replay 👇
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