Reverse Value Drawing

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, students will explore the art technique of reverse drawing, which involves using light colors on dark paper. This technique, traditionally used by industrial designers to illustrate products like wine bottles at night, improves overall drawing and painting skills. While digital tools have replaced hand-drawn designs in many cases, the principles of reverse drawing remain for creating dramatic effects.

Lesson Objectives

• Learn and practice the reverse drawing technique using black paper and light-colored tools.

• Understand how to create depth, contrast, and highlights in artwork.

• Explore the impact of light and dark in art to make drawings "pop."

• Develop familiarity with color theory concepts, including warm and cool colors.

What to Do

Step 1: Prepare the Black Paper

• Fold a black sheet of colored paper in half and cut it to your desired size.

Step 2: Choose a Subject

• Select a subject from reference photos that contrasts well against a dark background. Good options include soap bubbles, fruit, plants, cars, or buildings with strong highlights.

Step 3: Sketch the Outline

• Using a white-colored pencil crayon, lightly sketch the outline of your subject on the black paper. Keep the lines soft and subtle to avoid overpowering the final artwork.

Step 4: Add Highlights

• Identify the areas where light naturally falls on your subject and mark them with a light outline. Begin shading these highlights using white pencil crayons. Then, gradually layer colors to create depth and brightness.

Step 5: Strengthen the Colors

• Build up stronger colors, focusing on areas where you want more vivid contrast. Blend smoothly to enhance the effect.

Step 6: Incorporate Gouache Paint

• Once the colored pencil layer is complete, use gouache paint to intensify the colors and create sharper contrasts. This will make certain elements stand out against the dark background.

Step 7: Add Final Details

• For the brightest highlights, apply opaque white paint sparingly. This final touch adds depth and a dramatic glow to your artwork.

Step 8: Apply Your Learning

• Now that you’ve completed your first piece, create a second drawing using a more challenging subject. Apply what you’ve learned, experiment with different textures, and refine your technique.

Terminology

• Reverse Drawing: A technique of using light colors on dark paper to create dramatic effects and highlights.

• Warm Colors: Colors associated with warmth, like red, orange, and yellow.

• Cool Colors: Colors associated with coolness, like blue, green, and purple.

• Opaque: A material or color that is not transparent and does not let light pass through. 

• Highlight: The exact point where light hits an object, perpendicular to its surface. It is the very lightest part of an object.