A colour value chart is a visual representation that shows the range of colours used in a particular image or design. It allows designers and artists to see the distribution and balance of colours at a glance. Understanding colour values is an important skill for graphic designers, photographers, painters, and anyone working with colour and images.
What does a colour value chart show?
A basic colour value chart displays the range of lightness and darkness (values) within a given colour palette or image. Each colour used is shown as a block or swatch, arranged from lightest to darkest. This allows you to assess at a glance whether there is an even distribution and range of tones, or if certain value ranges dominate.
More advanced colour value charts may also show the relative saturation and brightness of colours. Saturation refers to the intensity or purity of a colour, while brightness indicates how light or dark it appears. These additional metrics allow for an even deeper understanding of the colour relationships.
By studying a value chart, designers can spot potential issues with contrast or imbalance in an image. For example, a photo that is mostly mid-tones with few darks and lights will lack contrast. Or an illustration that relies too much on saturated colours may look garish. Adjustments can then be made to achieve a more pleasing and harmonious range of values.
Why are colour value charts useful?
Here are some of the main reasons colour value charts are a valuable tool for artists and designers:
- Assess colour distribution – Spot areas that are heavy or light on values.
- Identify contrast issues – Determine if there is enough difference between lights and darks.
- Compare colour schemes – Evaluate the value range of different colour palettes.
- Plan paintings – Map out the values compositionally before starting.
- Correct photos – Adjust the brightness, contrast and saturation.
- Check print reproductions – Ensure colours translate properly to CMYK printing.
- Study other artwork – Understand how the masters used value.
- Communicate colour goals – Share intended value range with clients or collaborators.
For all visual mediums that involve colour, analysing and controlling values is essential. Value charts help simplify this process tremendously.
How to read a colour value chart
When looking at a colour value chart, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Lightest values are at the top, darkest at the bottom – Values progress sequentially from light to dark as you move down the chart.
- Pay attention to value gaps – Look for large jumps between neighbouring swatches, which indicate missing values.
- Note colour temperature shifts – See if warmer colours skew light and cooler colours go dark.
- Check for imbalance – Determine if the distribution favours lights, mediums or darks.
- Watch saturation too – Saturated colours will appear lighter than muted colours at the same value.
Analysing these factors will reveal a lot about the use of colour and values in a piece. It takes practice, but learning to critically evaluate value charts is an invaluable skill.
How to create a colour value chart
Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a basic colour value chart yourself:
- Select colour samples – Gather a palette of swatches or sample an existing image.
- Sort colours by value – Arrange colours from lightest to darkest.
- Find missing values – Fill any gaps by adding gradations between sampled colours.
- Make a value scale – Create a numbered scale with 1 being lightest and 10 being darkest.
- Assign each colour a value – Place each colour on the scale where its apparent lightness fits.
- Refine as needed – Adjustments can be made to the order to create a smooth progression of values.
- Check distribution – Look for areas that are sparse or dense in values.
- Expand the range – If needed, alter colours digitally to extend value range.
For a very precise chart, a value finder tool can be used to numerically calculate the values of colours. But even done manually by eye, this process helps visualize the value makeup of any colour scheme.
Tips for creating colour value charts
Here are some helpful tips for making effective colour value charts:
- Use plenty of gradations – More swatches between light and dark improves accuracy.
- Aim for even distribution – Balance out lights, mediums and darks.
- Go big enough – Larger swatches are easier to evaluate and compare.
- Include white and black – These anchor the extremes of the value range.
- Use grayscale first – Assess values before introducing hue.
- Sample meaningful areas – Pull colours from key parts of the image, not just random spots.
- Try different arrangements – Experiment with different value orders and groupings.
- Label values – Add numbers or descriptors to clarify the progression.
Taking the time to create a thorough, well-refined colour value chart provides great insight into the values of any image or palette. The chart can then guide adjustments and improvements.
Types of colour value charts
There are a few main types of colour value charts, including:
- Simple value chart – Shows colours in order of lightness to darkness. May be limited to 5-7 swatches.
- Expanded value scale – Includes more gradations, often 10 or more steps from white to black.
- Value finder chart – Calculates the precise value of each colour on a numeric scale.
- Value map – Charts values compositionally as they appear in an image or scene.
- Combined value/saturation chart – Adds a second dimension showing colour saturation.
- Grayscale value check – Converts image to grayscale to evaluate values without the distraction of hue.
The simplest charts are useful for quick assessment, while more complex charts provide deeper analysis for critical colour work. Select the approach that best fits your needs and goals.
Value charts for different colour modes
Colour value relationships vary based on the colour mode involved:
- RGB – Used for digital images. Values are displayed as percentages of brightness.
- CMYK – Used in printed materials. Values show ink densities of cyan, magenta, yellow and black.
- HSV – Maps hue, saturation and brightness values independently.
- HSL – Similar to HSV, with lightness as the brightness metric.
The same colours can have very different values depending on the colour system. It’s important to understand these differences when managing colour across media.
Value charts for key colour schemes
Certain colour schemes and harmonies also have characteristic value relationships worth understanding. Here are examples:
Analogous colours
Analogous colours are hues next to each other on the colour wheel. They tend to share similar values:
| Light pink | Pink | Magenta |
Complementary colours
Complementary colours are opposite each other on the colour wheel. They often have high contrast:
| Red | Yellow |
Triadic colours
Triadic colour schemes use three hues equally spaced around the colour wheel. Values can vary:
| Brown | Teal | Gold |
Tetradic colours
Tetradic palettes pair two sets of complementary colours. This creates vibrant contrast:
| Red orange | Teal |
| Green | Maroon |
Monochromatic colours
Monochromatic palettes use a single hue. The emphasis is on modifying values:
| Blue | Royal blue | Cornflower blue |
Studying value relationships in different colour schemes gives helpful guidance for using them effectively.
Typical uses for colour value charts
Here are some common applications where colour value charts are used:
- Painting – Plan value composition and mixtures for an artwork.
- Design – Assess values to ensure sufficient contrast and legibility.
- Photography – Adjust photos to create a full tonal range.
- Printing – Convert images from RGB to CMYK and preview separations.
- Web – Optimize images for online use and different devices.
- Illustration – Establish a value strategy before rendering.
- Quality control – Match colour proofs to press sheet values.
Any field that involves colour management benefits from the analytical power of value charts. They provide vital visualization for informed decision making.
Benefits of using colour value charts
Here are some key benefits colour value charts offer:
- Reveal the essential lightness and darkness of colours for objective analysis.
- Provide better control over image tonality and contrast.
- Help spot value gaps, problem areas and imbalances in an image.
- Simplify evaluating large colour schemes by arranging them visually.
- Improve value perception by seeing subtle gradations displayed together.
- Give guidance for mixing colours to achieve desired values.
- Allow planned, intentional use of values instead of guesswork.
- Facilitate communication about colour goals and results.
By leveraging the strengths of colour value charts, artists and designers gain an invaluable tool for managing one of the most important and powerful dimensions of visual imagery.
Conclusion
Understanding value is essential for properly using colour. Colour value charts make the relationships between lights, darks and colours visible at a glance. Mastering the creation and analysis of value charts empowers designers in any visual medium to maximize their use of colour.
With practice, colour value data can be interpreted intuitively. But value charts provide an indispensable reference tool even for experienced artists. By revealing colour values in a precise, organized way, they will continue to elevate the colour IQ of anyone willing to utilize their considerable merits.