From the course: Graphic Design Foundations: Color

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Value and saturation

Value and saturation

From the course: Graphic Design Foundations: Color

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Value and saturation

- To understand value and saturation of color and light, let's consider a term in art known as chiaroscuro, the use of strong contrast between light and dark, usually bold contrast affecting a whole composition. Countless films have used chiaroscuro for dramatic effect in film noir. The films were shot in black and white, explored purely and value the use of expressive light. Most people associate chiaroscuro with Renaissance paintings, like this self-portrait of Rembrandt. His paintings are synonymous with the idea of light revealing only parts of a form in a darkened space. My favorite example is a painting by Caravaggio, The Sacrifice of Isaac. As every element of contrasting light and shadow, working together in concert, for a most compelling piece. This painting, created between 1590 and 1610, demonstrates not only the effective use of chiaroscuro, but also a strong composition, depth of field, and dramatic emotional impact, achieved by limited color and saturation of pigment…

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