Mini Abstract Art Compositions & Value Studies
- Charlotte Wensley
- Aug 30, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Understanding and mastering 'value' and learning how to place it effectively in a composition takes plenty of practice. In this abstract art composition exercise, I'm looking at 'value' in terms of light and dark. 'Value' can be explored in many other ways but here I'm just looking at using light and dark values to create contrast.
Exploring this idea just using small thumbnail sketches is a great way to practice looking for values and training our eyes and brain to recognise where contrasting light and dark values are sitting within an abstract art composition.
You'll see in the video that I started with blind contour drawing to capture some lines and shapes from the environment. The less representational the better!
The resulting lines make no sense and are not readable as a scene or subject, but this is perfect for the next step.
Using a viewfinder to select mini compositions I then added values by shading in pencil.
There are plenty of places to go from here, so watch this space!
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