5 Step Value Scales
The gradient from white to black holds many value steps. This class will take this scale and break it up into 5 values. In future classes, you may encounter 9-step or even 25-step value scales.
![](images/values.jpg)
The 5-step value scale taken from the white-black gradient.
Below is a step-by-step example of drawing a 5 step value scale with graphite. The darkest values (numbers 4 and 5) were put in with 4B and 6B weight pencils. The middle value (number 3) used B and 2B weight pencils. The lightest value (number 2) used an HB weight pencil.
![](images/vs_graph_01.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_02.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_03.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_04.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_05.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_06.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_07.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_08.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_09.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_10.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_11.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_12.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_13.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_14.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_15.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_16.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_17.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_18.jpg)
![](images/vs_graph_19.jpg)
Below is a step-by-step example of drawing a 5 step value scale with ink. The darkest value (number 5) was drawn with a .08 weight Micron pen. The rest were all drawn with the same .05 weight Micron ink pen.
![](images/vs_ink_01.jpg)
![](images/vs_ink_02.jpg)
![](images/vs_ink_03.jpg)
![](images/vs_ink_04.jpg)
![](images/vs_ink_05.jpg)
![](images/vs_ink_06.jpg)
![](images/vs_ink_07.jpg)
![](images/vs_ink_08.jpg)
![](images/vs_ink_09.jpg)
![](images/vs_ink_10.jpg)
![](images/vs_ink_11.jpg)
![](images/vs_ink_12.jpg)
![](images/vs_ink_13.jpg)
![](images/vs_ink_14.jpg)
Below is a step-by-step example of drawing a 5 step value scale withcharcoal. The darkest value (number 5) was drawn with a 6B weight pencil. The number 4 region used a 3B weight pencil, the number 3 region used a B weight pencil, and the number 2 region used an HB weight pencil.
![](images/char01.jpg)
![](images/char02.jpg)
![](images/char03.jpg)
![](images/char04.jpg)
![](images/char05.jpg)
![](images/char06.jpg)
![](images/char07.jpg)
![](images/char08.jpg)
![](images/char09.jpg)
![](images/char10.jpg)
![](images/char11.jpg)
![](images/char12.jpg)
![](images/char13.jpg)
![](images/char14.jpg)
![](images/char15.jpg)
![](images/char16.jpg)
![](images/char17.jpg)