Project - Value Composition Thumbnails

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Project - Value Composition Thumbnails

Lesson by

Stan Prokopenko

in Drawing Basics

56K

Mark as Completed

Course In Progress

Assignments 309Lesson NotesDownloads 9

Level 1

Let's practice what we've learned about value composition by creating exploring several thumbnail sketches from the provided reference photos. Simplify each image into just three values in small thumbnails (between the size of your thumbnail and palm). Create at least five variations for each photo.

Some tips:

Keep It Simple: Start small, capture the main big shapes and avoid adding details. If you overcomplicate, try again and simplify.
Explore Multiple Ideas: Experiment by modifying value groupings and rearranging value shapes. Don't settle on your first idea. Often, initial concepts aren't the best.
Ask "What If?": Experiment with backgrounds, clothing values, and cropping. You have the freedom to adjust these elements.

You can use pencils or markers. Choose whichever tool you're comfortable with, or try both for their unique benefits.

Pencils

Use a dull pencil to draw larger value masses and avoid details.
Pencils allow erasing and adjusting shapes and values.

Markers

Markers are faster allowing you to do more quick variations.
Markers provide predefined values for easy value separation.
They encourage simplification due to their thick tips.

Level 2

After warming up with the first photos, move on to the Level 2 images. These are more complex and offer more exploration and room for error.

After several iterations, select a favorite thumbnail to refine. Create a slightly larger sketch with a little more details and up to five values.

Remember:

Prioritize Simplicity and Clarity: Don't worry about perfect proportions or details.
Focus on Values: Make deliberate decisions about value groups and execute them confidently.
Guide the Viewer: Simplify, control your value range, and create a clear hierarchy.

Deadline - submit by Jan 31, 2025 for a chance to be in the critique video!

Tommy Pinedo

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Here is my attempt for this assignment. Pretty hard at first because I wasn’t sure how I can make each thumbnail different. I watched the two demos for level 1 and gave it a try. I tried to make each thumbnail different and try different colors and still keep it with 3 values. I ⭐️ the ones I liked lol. Feedback is always welcomed. 🙏🏻

Rachel Dawn Owens

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These look great! This one is my favorite. The only thing I might do differently is break up that diagonal with some smaller shapes. It helps draw the focus up to the face instead of distracting from it.

Tofu

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First 6 attempts for level 1. Honestly it's pretty fun even though it was kinda daunting at first. Definitely have a few other ideas to try but these are the ones so far. Still not completely sure how to go about the facial features, tough to really see the different values there or even visualise what is more suitable to put there.

Sajal Khare

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This probably one my favourite excercise I wanna practice even more images working on the 2nd image 5 value thumbnail anyway here is my attempt please critique it :)

Pierre Souloumiac

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11d

I tried markers, pencils and fountain pen. The advanced images were definitely harder. What was hard ,for me, was to break away from the picture and imagine a different lighting, value for the garment & hair or background.

hobodios

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15d

*The two last images are the big thumbnails* I had a HARD time making good looking shapes I feel like this is one of my weaknesses .-. I don't hate them though but I do wish they were better.

taisiia sheldon

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18d

This is how its going!

@dannytheartist6

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23d

Please note my reason for not using normal drawing paper is to lower my expectations. For some reasons, I have urge to make "good" sketch on good quality paper. In my area, there is no sketch book with large amount of paper which also increase my expectations to not to draw "bad"(Even though they are sketches) Anyway, I hope for a critique from you guys

Rachel Dawn Owens

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23d

These are looking pretty good and I don’t mind the notebook paper. As long as I can see your drawings. The colors you used are nice. I love seeing more colorful stuff posted here. Don’t be afraid to loosen up your marks more. One exercise you could try is this one- Fill a whole page with abstract marks. Make a mess. It’s fine if it’s bad. Try to experiment with your tools. You can’t be scared of a bad drawing. It’s fine. Let it happen. These are looking great. I think you could simplify this one woman’s face more. The rest looks great. I like how you drew her dress. Don’t overthink it. Keep going!

@deadsm

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25d

I took my time to ensure these thumbnails were useful for creating a piece. I know they have blended edges in places and too much detail for a notan study, but I didn't want to ignore the momentum I gained treating this like an actual project. I hope it's still valuable as an exercise! Feedback is always appreciated!

Rachel Dawn Owens

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23d

Yes! Make more of these. Maybe process them further. Design the composition to the simplest statement. Don’t worry about the little parts so much (nose, eyes, hat, ect…) think about the abstract shapes. Piece them together like a puzzle. This is a fun one. I hope this is helpful-

@nick_laze

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26d

I had a lot of fun doing these. I do values thumbnail on a regular basis but this was my first time doing more than one sketch for a single image. With these i tried to be faster so I could focus more on trying different values combination rather than have it looking good. I'd appreciate some critiques or suggestions. I'll do the same with the other pictures

@nick_laze

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25d

Day 2. I feel like I could use some idea to get out my comfort zone. I think the third one (bottom left) is my favorite

You Ji An

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1mo

2cm x 3cm thumbnails :D

Luis Ángel Ruiz de Gopegui Rando

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1mo

Here are my thumbnails. I hope I did them well. I enjoyed the experience... it makes my mind work...

Rachel Dawn Owens

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1mo

Enjoying the experience and working the mind is the best part! These notan sketches are looking nice! Remember to keep your edges sharp for this one!

@julia52

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2mo

I enjoyed the assignment, but I don't think I executed it as well as I could have.

ANX804U

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2mo

hey, you have well executed assignment. the composition is well arranged and diversified as said in assignment. my favourite one from old man would be the one with circular arc in background, idk but something about that example is making composition look out more and making out balanced contrast. In second exercise I think you need to put some more darks and also some more gradation, because white gaps are visible in lines, could be due to brush texture or you might have tired from doing first one, try when your mind is much free and relaxed.

@sweethouse

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2mo

I found this assignment was great for making me ignore the details and just focus on the shape design for the different compositions.

@madin

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2mo

I think i got too caught up in details halfway through each one, but it was fun playing around with the different value keys

Melanie Scearce

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2mo

The inverse image is a really cool idea!

@pmirko

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2mo

i have just the first image for now, i''l make the second one when i have time this week, very difficult to make 5 versions with only 3 values...

Osagumwenro Igiehon

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3mo

Here are mine! I think I experimented a lot less with the second photo, sadly. I might run through these again after the demo. I feel like it was tough making my shapes interesting.

Gwen Post

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3mo

Here are some of mine from the first photo, would love any tips, really struggled with this and making it look interesting, will do more tomorrow

Rachel Dawn Owens

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3mo

Very good notan studies! You can make them sophisticated when you get to the 5 value studies. These are perfect.

Quinton Larrimore

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3mo

Level 1 -- I would love to hear feedback from anyone. For the first image, I did the top 3 and bottom center (the bigger one) by painting them out. The rest on that image were then copied and altered to see how I could adjust the composition. I found myself mostly just changing the background and the mouth a bit. For the second image, I tried to be a little bit more organized since I did the first round. This time, I did my 5 thumbnails, picked my favorite 3, and then started adjusting them like I did the first time round. This time, I tried to push myself by simplifying the shapes even further, changing the background, and other minor adjustments. This was pretty tough but I think I managed to "let go" per se the second time around and throw things down on the canvas a lot quicker to see what works and what didn't. Another thing I noticed was that using more decisive shapes with less fluff in them meant I could more easily go back with the magic wand tool and quickly change the tone of the more defined pieces. I could definitely see myself taking advantage of that more often during the planning phase of a piece going forward.

Quinton Larrimore

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3mo

Level 2 -- Decided to go with a more abstract design to force myself to make a decisions instead of just drawing what I saw. I think that also helped me simplify things down a bit.

Scott N

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3mo

Here are some of my attempts at the value studies. I found the first image (pencil) difficult. I just couldn't seem to get any ideas going. I watched the demo and my attempts after that were just riffs on those ideas. For the second image I swapped to markers. This was my first time using them (they are fun!). I found it easier to experiment but I think I was focusing too much on the the values in smaller areas (like in his arm) rather than bigger picture. The fourth study (mid tone and light) is my favourite.