Understanding Tone in Painting
Saturday, 10 January 2009 20:45 Joan
Posted in Painting Tutorials
Using a soft pencil draw two strips made up of ten squares approximately ½” in size. In the first, starting one end, colour in the first square very lightly in pencil.
In the next square do the same but with a little more pressure continuing to the end when the last square will be very dark. You should have a strip with each square a slightly darker tone of pencil.
Cut the second strip into squares. Then using all the colours in your paint box, one at a time, paint the little tiles you have cut from the second strip. Use plenty of colour. Allow to dry and note that the colours will be a little lighter when dry. Then judge and compare the coloured squares against the pencil strip placing them next to appropriate square. This is quite difficult at first as the colour ones jump out but with practice you will see how the tones can be matched. This teaches you to develop good judgement and is an important tool for the painter so practice this simple exercise often until you get it right!
