Notes on Tone

Value is tonal relationships between light and dark areas in painting. It is also referred to as tone.

The use of light for expressive effects resulted in the development of two styles known as chiaroscuro and tenebrism. Chiaroscuro refers to the technique which concentrates on the effects of blending light and shade on objects to create an illusion of atmosphere. Tenebrism is the style of painting which exaggerates the effects of chiaroscuro. The painters make use of a larger amount of dark areas beside smaller areas of light for emphasis.

Functions of Value or Tone:

• Tonal gradations are often used to express surface changes in the creation of forms.
• Values break up the picture surface into patterns of light and dark.
• Value is also used to express emotion.