Appraisily

November 13, 2023

Value and Pattern in Art: Understanding the Principles That Define Great Artworks

Explore how value and pattern in art create depth, mood, and visual interest. Learn to analyze value patterns across different art styles and understand their impact on a work's aesthetic appeal and market value.

Value and pattern examples in different art styles showing light and dark organization
By Appraisily Team Last updated November 13, 2023

Introduction to Value and Pattern in Art

When we look at a masterpiece, what makes it captivating? Beyond the subject matter, the artist’s use of fundamental elements like value and pattern can transform a simple composition into a powerful visual statement. These elements are not just artistic choices—they’re essential principles that define the quality, impact, and ultimately the value of an artwork.

<h2 class="section-header__title"> 
<span>What is Value in Art?</span>

</h2>

<div class="section-header__body">Value refers to the relative lightness or darkness of colors and tones within an artwork. It&rsquo;s one of the most fundamental elements that artists use to create depth, mood, and visual interest.</div>

Value is often described as existing on a scale from the lightest possible white to the darkest possible black, with infinite shades of gray in between. Even in colorful pieces, every hue has an inherent value—think of how a bright yellow appears lighter than a deep blue when converted to grayscale.

The New York Times describes value as “best understood when visualized as a scale or gradient, from dark to light.” This gradient is what gives artworks their three-dimensional appearance on a two-dimensional surface.

Understanding value is critical because it:

  • Creates the illusion of light and shadow
  • Establishes spatial relationships (foreground vs. background)
  • Directs the viewer’s eye to focal points
  • Sets the emotional tone of the artwork

Impact of Value in Art

90%
Visual Impact
Value contributes more to visual impact than color alone
3-5
Value Ranges
Most successful compositions use 3-5 distinct value ranges
70%
Composition Strength
Percentage of composition strength determined by value patterns
<h2 class="section-header__title"> 
<span>Understanding Value Patterns</span>

</h2>

<div class="section-header__body">A value pattern is not just about random light and dark areas. It&rsquo;s a deliberate organization of values that creates structure and visual harmony in an artwork.</div>

As artist Steve Fleming explains, “A value pattern is not a drawing or a finished sketch. It is simply an organization of the lights, darks and midtones of the planned painting.” This organization is what gives a painting its underlying structure.

Value patterns serve several critical functions:

  1. Create visual hierarchy: The areas of highest contrast naturally draw the viewer’s attention
  2. Establish composition: The arrangement of light and dark shapes defines the overall design
  3. Control viewer engagement: Value patterns guide how the viewer’s eye moves through the artwork

According to Painting Lessons with Marla, “The smallest shape naturally becomes the focal point or area of interest.” This fundamental principle helps artists direct attention precisely where they want it.

Historical Use of Value Patterns

  1. Renaissance (15th-16th c.)

    Chiaroscuro Development

    Italian masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio developed dramatic light/dark contrasts (chiaroscuro) to create volumetric forms and emotional intensity.
  2. Baroque (17th c.)

    Tenebrism

    Artists pushed value contrast to extremes with tenebrism—severe, dramatic contrasts between light and dark with intense emotional impact.
  3. Impressionism (19th c.)

    Light Value Studies

    Impressionists like Monet focused on light effects, often using higher-key value patterns with subtle variations.
  4. Modern Art (20th c.)

    Abstract Value Patterns

    Abstract artists recognized that value patterns could create powerful compositions independent of representational subject matter.
<h3 class="section-header__title"> 
<span>Six Basic Value Patterns</span>

</h3>

<div class="section-header__body">While infinite variations exist, most successful artworks utilize one of six fundamental value pattern structures.</div>

According to Painting Lessons with Marla, these six patterns each create a completely different feel:

  1. Light dominant with dark accents: Creates an airy, high-key feeling (common in Impressionist works)
  2. Dark dominant with light accents: Creates mystery and drama (seen in Rembrandt’s portraits)
  3. Half light/half dark: Creates balance and stability (used in many landscape compositions)
  4. Light surrounded by dark: Creates a spotlight effect (common in Baroque paintings)
  5. Dark surrounded by light: Creates a feeling of solidity and weight
  6. Alternating light and dark: Creates rhythm and movement (seen in pattern-heavy decorative art)

Ron Kasprisin notes that “Value provides the mood and emphasis within the composition, highlighting and strengthening key aspects of the composition.” The choice of which pattern to use should align with the emotional message the artist wishes to convey.

<h2 class="section-header__title"> 
<span>Pattern in Art: Repetition with Purpose</span>

</h2>

<div class="section-header__body">While value deals with light and dark, pattern involves the deliberate repetition of elements to create visual interest, rhythm, and unity in an artwork.</div>

Pattern in art can be:

  • Regular: Predictable, evenly spaced elements (like a checkerboard)
  • Irregular: Varied but still coherent repetition
  • Flowing: Organic, curved repetitions that create movement
  • Progressive: Patterns that change gradually across the composition
  • Random: Seemingly unplanned but still cohesive repetitions

According to ThoughtCo, “Artists use patterns to add complexity and depth to their work, often repeating designs to evoke emotions, symbolize ideas, or create visual rhythm.” This repetition can occur with any element—shapes, lines, colors, or even repeated value contrasts.

Examples of different pattern types in various art styles and periods

Patterns serve multiple purposes in art:

  • Create visual texture and richness
  • Establish cultural or historical context
  • Guide the viewer’s eye through the composition
  • Create a sense of harmony and unity
  • Add symbolic or decorative elements

The Arty Factory explains, “Pattern in art is made by repeating or echoing the visual elements of an artwork. The Visual Element of Pattern is constructed by repeating or echoing the elements of an artwork to communicate a sense of balance, harmony, contrast, rhythm or movement.”

<h2 class="section-header__title"> 
<span>The Intersection: How Value and Pattern Work Together</span>

</h2>

<div class="section-header__body">The most powerful compositions emerge when artists skillfully combine value and pattern principles to create visually compelling works.</div>

Value and pattern interact in several important ways:

  1. Value defines pattern visibility: The contrast between light and dark determines how clearly patterns are perceived
  2. Pattern can reinforce value structure: Repeated elements can strengthen the underlying value organization
  3. Value variation within patterns: Subtle value shifts within repeating elements create depth and interest
  4. Breaking patterns creates focal points: Interrupting a pattern with a value change draws the eye

According to Master Oil Painting, “A good ‘rule of thumb’ for a more invigorating design and value pattern is to keep the dominant value larger in the painting than the other two values combined.” This principle helps maintain focus and coherence even in pattern-rich compositions.

Artwork demonstrating the intersection of value and pattern principles

<h2 class="section-header__title"> 
<span>Creating Strong Value Patterns: Practical Techniques</span>

</h2>

<div class="section-header__body">For artists looking to strengthen their compositions, understanding how to create effective value patterns is essential.</div>

David Schwindt, writing for Artists Network, recommends this approach: “To determine your values, start by identifying three dominant colors for your painting, one light, one in a middle value and one dark. Then paint a value scale for each color.”

Other key techniques include:

Value Pattern Development Process

Key steps to create effective value patterns in artwork

  • Create thumbnail value studies before starting the final work
  • Limit your value range to 3-5 distinct values for clarity
  • Squint at your composition to see only the major value shapes
  • Test your composition in grayscale to verify value relationships
  • Ensure your darkest dark and lightest light create sufficient contrast
  • Place your highest contrast at the focal point
  • Maintain a dominant value (typically covering 60-70% of the composition)

This process helps artists move beyond merely copying what they see to creating deliberate, powerful compositions with clear visual hierarchy.

<h2 class="section-header__title"> 
<span>Analyzing Value and Pattern in Famous Artworks</span>

</h2>

<div class="section-header__body">Studying how master artists have used value and pattern can provide valuable insights for both artists and collectors.</div>

Let’s analyze several famous works:

Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring”

  • Value Pattern: Light figure against dark background with spotlight effect on face
  • Pattern Elements: Subtle fabric textures and turban wrapping create rhythmic elements
  • Effect: The high contrast draws attention directly to the girl’s face and the pearl earring

Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night”

  • Value Pattern: Dark landscape with medium-value sky containing light accents (stars)
  • Pattern Elements: Swirling brushstrokes create rhythmic patterns throughout the sky
  • Effect: The repeating curved patterns create movement while the bright stars provide focal points

Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss”

  • Value Pattern: Medium-value figures with contrasting light/dark patterns in their clothing
  • Pattern Elements: Elaborate decorative patterns dominate the figures’ garments
  • Effect: The intricate patterns create richness while the value contrasts define the composition

Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks”

  • Value Pattern: Dark surrounding city with brightly lit diner interior
  • Pattern Elements: Architectural elements create geometric patterns
  • Effect: The stark value contrast creates a dramatic mood and isolates the diner scene

Value Contrast Impact on Art Market Value

How value pattern strength affects artwork pricing

  </tbody>
</table>
<h2 class="section-header__title"> 
<span>Value and Pattern in Different Art Styles</span>

</h2>

<div class="section-header__body">Different artistic movements and styles have emphasized value and pattern in distinct ways that reflect their aesthetic priorities.</div>

Realism and Academic Art

  • Value Approach: Smooth gradations of value to create realistic volumetric forms
  • Pattern Use: Subtle, naturalistic patterns found in real-world objects and surfaces

Impressionism

  • Value Approach: Higher-key value schemes with emphasis on light effects
  • Pattern Use: Broken color patterns created through brushwork rather than actual object patterns

Art Nouveau

  • Value Approach: Flattened value ranges with emphasis on silhouette and outline
  • Pattern Use: Elaborate organic patterns inspired by natural forms and Japanese prints

Art Deco

  • Value Approach: Strong, graphic value contrasts
  • Pattern Use: Bold geometric patterns with repeating elements and symmetry

Abstract Expressionism

  • Value Approach: Dynamic value contrasts that create emotional impact
  • Pattern Use: Rhythmic gestural patterns that express movement and energy

Op Art

  • Value Approach: Precise value relationships that create optical illusions
  • Pattern Use: Systematic patterns specifically designed to create visual vibration or movement

Each style demonstrates that value and pattern can be manipulated to achieve vastly different aesthetic results, from realistic representation to pure abstraction.

Common Questions About Value and Pattern in Art

What is an example of a value in art? 
Value in art refers to the lightness or darkness of tones or colors. For example, if you converted a colorful painting to black and white, the shades of grey would represent the different values in the painting. Practical examples include:

    

  • The dramatic light-to-dark contrast in Rembrandt’s portraits
    • 

  • The high-key (mostly light) values in Monet’s sunlit garden scenes
    • 

  • The low-key (mostly dark) values in Caravaggio’s candlelit religious paintings
    • 



Value is considered by many artists to be more important than color to the success of a painting, as it creates structure, depth, and focal points regardless of the colors used.

What is the pattern of the arts? 
Pattern in art refers to the deliberate repetition or echoing of elements to create visual rhythm, balance, harmony, contrast, or movement. Patterns can be:

    

  • Regular (consistent, evenly spaced elements)
    • 

  • Irregular (varied but still coherent)
    • 

  • Natural (inspired by organic forms like leaves or waves)
    • 

  • Geometric (based on shapes like circles, squares, triangles)
    • 

  • Cultural (derived from traditional motifs of specific cultures)
    • 



Artists use patterns to add complexity and depth to their work, create visual texture, establish cultural context, or add symbolic meaning. Pattern has been central to many art movements, from Islamic geometric art to Art Nouveau’s organic motifs to Op Art’s perceptual patterns.

How do value patterns enhance composition in painting? 
Value patterns enhance composition by:

    

  • Creating visual hierarchy that guides the viewer’s attention
    • 

  • Establishing the underlying structure of the painting
    • 

  • Defining spatial relationships (foreground vs. background)
    • 

  • Setting the emotional tone (high-key for cheerful, low-key for somber)
    • 

  • Unifying diverse elements into a coherent whole
    • 



A strong value pattern typically has a dominant value (covering 60-70% of the composition), with smaller areas of contrasting values. The highest contrast is usually placed at the intended focal point. This organization helps create a clear "read" of the painting, even from a distance or when squinting.

What are the 5 types of patterns in art? 
The five common types of patterns in art are:

    

  1. 

    Regular/Formal Patterns: Consistent, evenly spaced elements with predictable repetition (like a checkerboard)
    

    2. 

  2. 

    Irregular Patterns: Varied but still coherent repetition with less predictability
    

    3. 

  3. 

    Flowing Patterns: Organic, curved repetitions that create a sense of movement
    

    4. 

  4. 

    Progressive Patterns: Patterns that change gradually across the composition (getting larger, smaller, or changing in some way)
    

    5. 

  5. 

    Random Patterns: Seemingly unplanned but still visually cohesive repetitions
    

    6. 



Each pattern type creates a different visual effect and can be used to express different ideas or emotions in artwork.

How does value affect the market price of artwork? 
In terms of artistic elements, strong value organization can significantly impact an artwork's market value:

    

  • 

    Works with clear, effective value patterns typically command higher prices than similar works with muddy or confused value relationships
    

    • 

  • 

    Strong value contrast at focal points increases visual impact, memorability, and collector appeal
    

    • 

  • 

    Masterful handling of subtle value transitions demonstrates technical skill that collectors will pay premium prices for
    

    • 

  • 

    Innovative approaches to value organization can distinguish an artist’s work in the marketplace
    

    • 



Beyond artistic elements, the term "value" in the art market also refers to the monetary worth, which is determined by factors like artist reputation, provenance, rarity, condition, size, and historical significance.

<h2 class="section-header__title"> 
<span>Practical Applications for Artists and Collectors</span>

</h2>

<div class="section-header__body">Understanding value and pattern principles has practical applications for both creating and appreciating art.</div>

For Artists:

  • Begin compositions with value studies before adding color or detail
  • Use value patterns deliberately to create focal points and guide viewers
  • Consider the emotional impact of different value arrangements
  • Use patterns to add complexity and interest to simpler compositions
  • Study master works in grayscale to understand their value structures

For Collectors and Appraisers:

  • Recognize that strong value patterns often indicate a more sophisticated artist
  • Look for clear focal points created through value contrast
  • Appreciate how patterns can add richness and cultural context
  • Understand that muddy values may indicate less developed artistic skill
  • Consider how value and pattern work together to create visual impact

For Art Educators:

  • Teach value studies before introducing color theory
  • Demonstrate how squinting helps see basic value patterns
  • Show examples of the six basic value patterns across different art styles
  • Encourage pattern recognition and creation as fundamental design skills
  • Connect value and pattern principles to both traditional and contemporary art

External Resources on Value and Pattern in Art

Conclusion: The Enduring Importance of Value and Pattern

Value and pattern remain foundational elements in art regardless of style, period, or medium. From cave paintings to digital art, the organization of light and dark and the thoughtful use of repetition continue to define what makes visual art compelling.

For artists, mastering these principles provides the tools to create works with impact and intention rather than merely reproducing what is seen. For collectors and appreciators, understanding value and pattern offers deeper insight into why certain works resonate and endure.

The next time you stand before a painting that captures your attention, take a moment to analyze its value pattern and observe how the artist has used repetition. You’ll likely discover that beneath the subject matter and color choices lies a thoughtful organization of these fundamental elements—a testament to the artist’s skill and vision.

By understanding and appreciating these principles, we gain not only a deeper connection to individual artworks but also insight into the universal visual language that transcends time, culture, and artistic movements.

Category Price Notes
Strong, clear value pattern +15-30% Premium over similar works with weaker value organization
High contrast at focal point +10-20% Increased visual impact and memorability
Muddy or undefined values -20-40% Significant reduction in market appeal and collector interest
Innovative pattern integration +10-25% Added visual interest and uniqueness factor