Value Art Lessons for Kids
Value is how light or dark a color is. Kids practice value scales, shading, tints and shades, and learn how light and shadow make a drawing look real. Below you will find Ms Artastic lessons, free blog posts and videos all about value.
Featured Ms Artastic lessons
Ready-to-teach lessons from my shop. Each card shows the grade range listed for that lesson.
Elements of Art: Value UnitGrades 6 to 910 sequential value drawing lessons plus printable shading worksheets.See the lesson
Snowmen at Night Value LessonGrades 2 to 5A winter art lesson on the Element of Art: Value.See the lesson
Chalk Pastel Reindeer Art LessonGrades 5 to 8A chalk pastel reindeer lesson exploring the Element of Art: Value.See the lesson
Value Eye Shading Art ProjectGrades 5 to 8See the lesson
Anglerfish Value Art LessonGrades 5 to 8See the lesson
Shading Art Lessons and WorksheetsGrades 4 to 7See the lesson
Winter Penguin Value Art LessonGrades 1 to 4See the lesson
Spring Flower Value Art LessonGrades 3 to 6See the lessonFree blog lessons and ideas
Free tools
Videos to watch together
Supplies and picture books
Supplies that help
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Questions teachers and parents ask
What is value in art?
Value is the lightness or darkness of a color. A value scale shows the steps from the lightest light to the darkest dark.
What are tints and shades?
A tint is a color mixed with white to make it lighter. A shade is a color mixed with black to make it darker.
How do I teach shading to kids?
Start with a value scale, then shade a simple sphere with one light source. Show where the highlight, the shadow and the cast shadow go before kids try it on their own drawings.
Value video art lessons
Press play and paint along with me. Each video lesson comes with a printable lesson plan and a QR code, so it is ready for the classroom or the kitchen table.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
More art lessons to explore
Elements of Art
