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The Value Challenge
posted by Liz Wiltzen on Saturday Sep 10, 2011
To Submit an Entry, click here to sign in,
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My apologies for running late on getting up the new challenge! We'll get back on track after this one. - David

Rule#1: Simplify, simplify, simplify.

This is all about finding the large abstract shapes. If you take color out of the equation, it gets you looking at things in a whole new way.

You can work from a photograph if you like, but if you really want to raise the bar, paint something from life. Can be anything - a still life, a landscape, a portrait or something else.

So here’s the deal, you can use only 4 values. Lots of squinting and comparing will be required - and some decision making about what to make darker or lighter to stay within the 4 value range. The goal is to create an interesting, linked pattern of shapes. Look for opportunities to bring values closer together in order to lose edges and connect shapes. It’s magic when you find them!

Remember not to paint "objects". That’s not an apple with light on one side and shadow on the other, it’s a light shape beside a dark shape. The more you can think like this, the more fun you’ll have.

PS: Printing a photo out in B&W before you start is most definitely cheating - but no parents here, so do what you need to.

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Thank you for your kind patronage and generosity.

Ask David at DPW a Question

The Daily Paintworks Challenge

To Submit an Entry, click here to sign in,
or click here to quickly register.

Submitting to a DPW Challenge is quick and easy.

There are no deadlines, and you can submit to any challenge as many times as you want.

All entries must comply with the letter and the spirit of the challenge and must have been painted after the challenge's posting date.

When you click the Submit to the Challenge! button on the challenge page, simply fill out the dialog form that appears. After a quick spam screening, your submission will be posted on this page and available for other artists and potential buyers to see. Best of all, you don't have to sign up for anything and there are no fees or commissions.

Ask David at DPW a Question

Please be sure to follow the spirit and the letter of the challenge.
For example, each submission must be painted after the challenge is posted.

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