3.3: Collages - Value Pattern

Color Theory and Composition · LibreTexts

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    Exercise \(Value      Collages\)

    Minimum size 6 x 4 ½’

    For this series of collages, focus on developing the structure of your compositions by utilizing different value patterns. Create color palettes of monochromatic or neutral hues in order to create one example of each value pattern:

    • Modulation
    • Intervals
    • High Contrast
    • Low Contrast
    Notes

    Remember, value pattern is the bone structure of your composition.

    Squint, use a red filter, or digitally desaturate a photo of your work to ignore hue contrast and focus on relative values.

    Avoid bright colors which will emphasize the contrast of hue or saturation.

     

    Modulation

    • Choose one hue for this composition.
    • Find all the tints and shades of that hue and arrange them in an even gradation. Not all colors have equal amounts of tints and shades, you should have around 5 different values. You may choose to add black and white.
    • Create a collage that utilizes the gradation as a source of light. The light may be singular, multiple, or dispersed.
    • Try to compose in a way that gives the illusion of a seamless value modulation.
    • Be inventive with your forms and inspiration.
    Example \(Modulation\)
    Example high contrast collage
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Copy and Paste Caption here. ("Value Study - Modulation" by Katie Marshall is licensed under  CC-BY-NC)

     

    Value Intervals

    • Think about composing a melody with different values corresponding to notes on a musical scale.
    • Choose around 8-10 colors with a range of different values. This works best if the hues are analogous or neutral, avoid highly saturated colors.
    • Think about light and dark going up and down, like steps.
    • Some patterns in value may repeat and alter or change throughout.
    Example \(Intervals\)
    Mostly green collage with varying steps in value
    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Copy and Paste Caption here. ("Value Study - Intervals" by Samaira Felton is licensed under  CC-BY-NC)

    High Contrast

    For high contrast use extremely light colors next to extremely dark colors, use bold shapes to increase drama of stark value contrast.

    Example \(High  Contrast\)
    Collage with white, black, and some color
    Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): High contrast of light and dark create a powerful composition. ("Value Study - High Contrast" Student work by Katie Marshall is licensed under  CC-BY-NC)

     

    4. Low Contrast (mostly light/mostly dark)

    For low contrast use colors withing a similar range of value: mostly light, mostly dark, or mostly medium value. Notice how edges or boundaries between these colors tend to dissolve.

    Example \(Low{ }Contrast\)
    Example low contrast, mostly dark collage
    Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\): Low contrast and dark values create a moody composition. ("Value Study - Low Contrast" by Molly Champlin is licensed under CC BY)

    This page titled 3.3: Collages - Value Pattern was last modified on Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:49:37 GMT and is shared under a mixed license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lauren Champlin.