The Vocabulary of Value Value: 1 “The relative degree of lightness or darkness. 2. The characteristic of color determined by lightness or darkness, or the quantity of light reflected by the color. " ------- achromatic value — absence of color, revealed by lightness or darkness. chromatic value — the value of a color (relative lightness or darkness). • high key value — color with naturally occurring or adjusted value levels from middle gray to white. • low key value — color with naturally occurring or adjusted value levels from middle gray to black. ------- highlight — the spot receiving (reflecting) the strongest amount of direct light. shadow, shade, shading — a darker value on a surface caused by the interruption of a light source. cast shadow — a dark area occurring when an object is placed between that surface and the light source. ------- local value — the naturally occurring lightness or darkness of an area independent of the degree of light or shadow falling on it (black and white stripes on a skunk -- even when barely visible at dusk, the tail alerts us to the animal’s potential). subjective value — value applied to an object or area that is unrelated to the subject or is purely invented. ------- chiaroscuro — the illusion created by gradual blending of light and shade. tenebrism — exaggerated or extreme contrasts of light and dark. ------- value pattern — pictorial organization based on the effect of light and dark relationships, creating eye movement and unifying the composition (may be incorporated with decorative or plastic space). open value composition — values flow across and through shapes into adjoining areas, unrestricted by the edges or boundaries of the images. closed value compositions — areas of value contained within or limited by contours or the edges of shapes. ------- decorative value — emphasizing the flatness/two-dimensional nature or ornamenting and enriching a surface. plastic value — (1) creates the illusion of three dimensions on a flat surface; (2) three-dimensional art forms enhanced by value (architecture, sculpture, ceramics, etc.). ------- shallow space — pertaining to pictorial depth and allowing only a slight or limited penetration behind the picture plane. ------- value accent — an area of emphasis (usually small) caused by the introduction of value contrasts but not enough to make the area become dominant.