PaintsightNotan and value study maker
Turn a reference photo into a notan or a value study of up to 7 values, and see where each value falls.
or drop or paste one here
How to use it
- Pick how many values. 2 makes a notan, 3 shows the main masses, and 4 or 5 gives you a plan to paint from.
- Move Simplify until the shapes are big enough to paint, not speckled.
- Tap a value in the list, or click the picture, to highlight everywhere that value falls in pink.
- Try Natural, Balanced and Even. Each splits the photo at different tones, and one often makes a clearer design than the others.
Why make a value study first
Value, how light or dark something is, carries the form and the design of a painting more than color does. A study with a few values shows whether the big shapes of light and dark make a strong picture before you spend time on color.
Questions
What is a notan?
A notan is a design of a picture in two values, light and dark, with all detail and color left out. Painters make one before they start, to check that the big shapes of light and dark make a strong design. Choose 2 values in the tool to make one.
How many values should I use?
Start with 3, light, middle and dark, to see the main masses. Use 4 or 5 to plan the painting itself. More than that starts to bring back detail you were trying to simplify.
What do Natural, Balanced and Even mean?
Natural splits the photo where its tones naturally group, so each value is one family of lights or darks. Balanced gives every value the same share of the picture. Even uses equal steps of lightness from the photo's darkest to its lightest tone.
What does Simplify do?
It softens small detail before the photo is split, so the values form big, paintable shapes instead of speckles. Turn it down for a detailed study, up for a quick block-in.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The tool runs in your browser and the photo never leaves your device.
What does a painter's value of 6.4 mean?
Values here run from 0 (black) to 10 (white), like the Munsell value scale many painters use. 6.4 is a little lighter than middle gray. It's worked out from CIE L*, a measure of lightness as the eye sees it, divided by 10.
Value studies at the easel
In Paintsight the value study sits beside your reference library, with several notan designs side by side, a thumbnail view, and a sample tool that reads the value of any spot. Prop your iPad or iPhone by the easel; the screen stays awake.
For iPhone and iPad.