Tints and Shades
This activity covers the differences between tints and shades. It is important for students to be able to decipher between them when painting to strengthen their pieces. When teaching this lesson, you will need to know how tints and shades are made. A tint is a color with the addition of white, while a shade is a color with the addition of black.
Step-by-step Guide:
The students will each need two canvases of equal size (12x16), acrylic paint, paint brushes, pallet, towel/rag, and a cup of water. If students are put into table groups, they may share the water and paint.
1. The day before, give students a homework assignment to choose a famous painting they like. Require them to print off the painting in color and bring it to class the following day.
2. Give each student two small canvases, for example 12x16 inches. Any other canvases desired by the student must be purchased by the student. Allow them to choose brushes from the class selection. Pass out cups of water and rags to each table/ desk.
3. Remind the class that a tint is a color with the addition of white, and a shade is a color with the addition of black.
4. Tell them that they will be recreating the painting to the best of their ability on each canvas. When doing this, each canvas is exclusive to either tints or shades. One painting will be used with only colors mixed with white. The second painting will be using only colors mixed with black. They are allowed to alter the colors however they see fit, but the paintings shapes and values must be recognizable.
5. They will have a week to complete the assignment. The lesson will be given on a Monday, and the following Monday they will be required to bring their two finished paintings to class.
At the end of the critique, the teacher will present the students with a worksheet with the questions listed below. The students are to fill it out and bring it back the following class completed and ready to turn in.
1. What problems arose while painting with only tints? Shades?
A: Not being able to use white in the shade painting was very challenging. The lightest shades where the original colors, so the painting was very dark. Mixing colors that had similar values to the original painting was also hard. I had to manipulate certain colors and change them in order to only use shade. Similar problems arose in the tint painting. It was hard to keep everything from just looking white.
2. How did you solve those problems and give the image proper value?
A: I had to be very careful with the amounts of black I used. I use very scarce amounts of black compared to the original pigment. I began with mixing a large amount of a dark colors, and then used it to make lighter tones by adding in the original color.
3. Which colors were especially difficult to render?
A: The values of yellow were very hard to control. The slighted addition of black would turn it into a dark green. This may be because the black has traces of blue in its pigment. When using white, I struggled with finding good middle tones. White made so many different values within the darker colors like green, I had to take my time mixing.
4. Did you solve those problems to the best of your ability?
A: I spent many hours outside of the class working. Mixing colors is a difficult process, but I spend a lot of time choosing the right values. Considering I don’t have much experience painting, I think I solves the problems that came up pretty well.
5. What did you learn about painting and color through this process?
A: I have a greater understanding of how shades have value, along with tints. I also gained strength in my color mixing skills. I had to make tough decisions on which colors were mixed along with the tint/shade. I realize now not important the use of tint and shades are in my paintings.
Step-by-step Guide:
The students will each need two canvases of equal size (12x16), acrylic paint, paint brushes, pallet, towel/rag, and a cup of water. If students are put into table groups, they may share the water and paint.
1. The day before, give students a homework assignment to choose a famous painting they like. Require them to print off the painting in color and bring it to class the following day.
2. Give each student two small canvases, for example 12x16 inches. Any other canvases desired by the student must be purchased by the student. Allow them to choose brushes from the class selection. Pass out cups of water and rags to each table/ desk.
3. Remind the class that a tint is a color with the addition of white, and a shade is a color with the addition of black.
4. Tell them that they will be recreating the painting to the best of their ability on each canvas. When doing this, each canvas is exclusive to either tints or shades. One painting will be used with only colors mixed with white. The second painting will be using only colors mixed with black. They are allowed to alter the colors however they see fit, but the paintings shapes and values must be recognizable.
5. They will have a week to complete the assignment. The lesson will be given on a Monday, and the following Monday they will be required to bring their two finished paintings to class.
- Try and dedicate the first two days to just the tint painting. Only allow them to use pure colors and white. Do not allow any black on the table.
- The third and fourth days may be dedicated to shades. Only allow pure colors and black to be used.
- On the 5th day, allow the students to finish the work they have left on either paintings. Keep an eye on what paints they are using for each canvas.
At the end of the critique, the teacher will present the students with a worksheet with the questions listed below. The students are to fill it out and bring it back the following class completed and ready to turn in.
1. What problems arose while painting with only tints? Shades?
A: Not being able to use white in the shade painting was very challenging. The lightest shades where the original colors, so the painting was very dark. Mixing colors that had similar values to the original painting was also hard. I had to manipulate certain colors and change them in order to only use shade. Similar problems arose in the tint painting. It was hard to keep everything from just looking white.
2. How did you solve those problems and give the image proper value?
A: I had to be very careful with the amounts of black I used. I use very scarce amounts of black compared to the original pigment. I began with mixing a large amount of a dark colors, and then used it to make lighter tones by adding in the original color.
3. Which colors were especially difficult to render?
A: The values of yellow were very hard to control. The slighted addition of black would turn it into a dark green. This may be because the black has traces of blue in its pigment. When using white, I struggled with finding good middle tones. White made so many different values within the darker colors like green, I had to take my time mixing.
4. Did you solve those problems to the best of your ability?
A: I spent many hours outside of the class working. Mixing colors is a difficult process, but I spend a lot of time choosing the right values. Considering I don’t have much experience painting, I think I solves the problems that came up pretty well.
5. What did you learn about painting and color through this process?
A: I have a greater understanding of how shades have value, along with tints. I also gained strength in my color mixing skills. I had to make tough decisions on which colors were mixed along with the tint/shade. I realize now not important the use of tint and shades are in my paintings.