In this lesson, you’ll explore the foundational concept of value, using a black-and-white palette to organize light and dark through notan and chiaroscuro. Bill Perkins begins with a lecture on tonal hierarchy and value grouping, then challenges you to complete multiple 30-minute portrait studies from high- and low-key lighting setups. You’ll focus on simplifying shapes into grouped value zones, keeping the light and dark families separated, allowing you to build clarity and strength in your value structure.

This lesson belongs to the course Color Theory Bootcamp. In this 5-week course, acclaimed painter and visual development art director Bill Perkins guides you through a focused, practical approach to color theory. Designed to build your foundational understanding and sharpen your color decision-making, this course introduces essential concepts through timed painting exercises from the model in carefully controlled lighting setups. Each week explores a core component of color theory—value, saturation, complementary colors, temperature, and hue. With every session, you’ll compare your results with Bill’s demonstration to gain direct painting insights, refine your process, and reinforce the principles in action. This course is ideal for painters looking to build fluency with color and strengthen their ability to organize complex scenes quickly and effectively.

Throughout this course, you’ll have access to the NMA community for feedback and critiques to improve your work as you progress.