Color and value

Jean-Siméon CHARDIN (Paris, 1699-1779), Self-portrait with Spectacles 1771
http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/self-portrait-spectacles

Self-portrait with Spectacles by Chardin is created with pastel and in color.  I included a gray scale conversion allowing us to see how the color transforms into value.  As mentioned before, in essence your brain should be converting the color of your subject to gray scale while you discern the value pattern as a result of mass being illuminated.  Also, it’s important to recognize even though we are recording the degree of light and dark color does possess inherent value and needs to be considered.   With Chardin’s Self-portrait with Spectacles he creates form and structure through various passes applied through hatching which is evident by the visual stroke of the pastel.  He applied and built up successive layers resulting in establishing solid form or sculptural weight.  View the image under the full screen setting provided by the Louvre and examine how the form was established and how line was used or not used, in addition note that there are no hard-edged, contour closed lines.  Moving forward, consider creating your paintings from the inside out, not from the outside in. This type of mass building concept forces you to establish structure and fight the need to outline elements.  If line is required to make a drawn statement, use a broken or fractured implied line.