15 - Value as Pattern

When talking about paintings or designs people always mention the value pattern. Value Pattern refers to the arrangement and the amount of variation in light and dark, despite the color used.

This painting of Superman, by Alex Ross, show the subtlety of the effect of a limited range of value. While the red suggest a very strong emotion and the image seems to be a very violent one, the lack of light and dark gives an understatement to what is going on in the image.

In contrast, literally, this sketch of Batman done by the same artist shows off a dynamic use of value. The variation in lights and dark shows a very exciting image of the wear and tear vigilantism does on the body. Despite the lack of action in the scene, the dark knight's body of scars seem to show plenty of action