Term: Value

Value is both an element of art and a property of color. As such, value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. Value can be thought of as the strength or brightness of the light in a color. The word "tone" is sometimes used as a synonym for value but it has other meanings in art as well (see the definition for color).

Value is critical to all forms of artwork but it is particularly important in monochrome works (such as, black and white photography). It is used to give shape and form to individuals objects as well as visual interest and unity to the overall composition. The terms shadow, darkness, contrast and light are all references to the use of value in artwork.

A value scale is a simple drawing tool that helps artists see and draw values correctly. Value scales are charts that show the range of values from black to white or dark to light. Individual scales vary in the number of values shown, but all value scales depict a uniform gradation from one value to the next. A value that is located on the upper portion of the scale is known as being high key, and a value on the lower portion of the value scale is known as low key.