Observing Tonal Value for Visual Art
When depicting or conveying tonal value for the object of an art piece, one is engaging in what is called rendering of the object one is depicting as it affects the illusory three-dimensionality or depth of the art piece. One can create a whole piece by using only rendering techniques, but typically one begins with the line-art of the contour drawing wherein the focus is transcribing edges. In either case, save for drawing from imagination alone, one is engaging in observational drawing.
To increase our observational sensitivity to variations in tonal value, it is recommended to (Garcia 2003, 56):
From “Pencil Values¨ in Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner
Close […] eyes nearly shut to create a slightly blurred effect. This will eliminate details and crisp edges, and allow [ …] focus on the basic, overall value of the objects […] lined up.
The act of doing this is known as squinting. By blurring detail, although edges blur as well, the more general shape of the more distinct, high threshold variations in tonal value in our field of view become clearer (Ibid).
illusion visual_illusion optical_illusion tonal_value value squinting visual_art observation observational_drawing edge
bibliography
- Capp, Robbie, ed. “Pencil Values.” In Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner, 55–74. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 2003.