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Practice Reel Assignment - Apply Value Hierarchy

Put your value hierarchy skills to the test with this practice reel assignment. Draw 5 landscapes in 4 minutes each using only 7 values and starting with extremes.

Robert Joyner | Garage Studio Artist & Art Educator

Robert Joyner | Garage Studio Artist & Art Educator

— 4 min read
Practice Reel Assignment hero image

Time to practice landscape painting value hierarchy. 5 images. 4 minutes each. Apply everything you've learned. No color. Just values.

This lesson is part of the Acrylic Landscape Painting Fundamentals Course - Section 2: Value Hierarchy.

The Assignment

Create value hierarchy studies from 5 different landscape images.

Each image gets 4 minutes. That's it.

Why so fast? Because you don't have time to overthink. You work intuitively, making quick value decisions.

The Rules

1. Contour the masses first
Quick outline of your major shapes. Then add value.

2. Limit to 7 values
Remember the 7-value goal? Apply it here. Don't use more.

3. Start with extremes
Find your lightest light OR your darkest dark. Add that first. Then add the opposite extreme. Fill in everything between.

4. Landscape layout
All images are horizontal (landscape orientation).

5. No excessive details
No individual leaves. No texture. Just clear value blocks.

6. Use charcoal or preferred medium
Charcoal is ideal for quick value studies. But use what works for you.

Starting Strategy: Extremes First

Approach 1: Darkest dark first

  • Find the darkest shadow in the scene
  • Put that down (value 1-2)
  • Then find lightest light (value 9-10)
  • Fill in the 5 values between

Approach 2: Lightest light first

  • Find the brightest area (usually sky)
  • Put that down (value 9-10)
  • Then find darkest dark (value 1-2)
  • Fill in everything between

Either works. Pick one and commit.

The Timer Notification

15 seconds before each image changes, you'll hear a notification sound.

That's your warning: Wrap it up.

Need more time? Hit pause. Take as long as you want.

But the goal is speed. Force yourself to make fast value decisions.

Why This Works

Fast = No overthinking

4 minutes doesn't give you time to fuss over every subtle gradation. You simplify instinctively.

Extremes anchor everything

By placing your lightest and darkest values first, you establish the full range. Everything else falls naturally between them.

Repetition = Skill building

5 images back-to-back drills value hierarchy thinking. By image 5, you'll be faster and more confident than image 1.

What You're Training

Your eye to see value hierarchy

Not just "this is dark" or "this is light." But "this is my 3rd darkest value" and "this fits between my sky value and my tree value."

Your hand to work quickly with values

No time for tight rendering. You're forced to block in clear value shapes.

Your brain to organize values

Which elements share similar values? Which need clear separation? You decide in seconds.

The 7-Value Limit

This is the constraint that makes the exercise work.

You can't use 15 different values. Just 7.

So you're forced to:

  • Merge similar values
  • Simplify gradations
  • Make clear hierarchical decisions
  • Organize intentionally

This constraint creates clarity.

After the Assignment

Look at your 5 studies side-by-side.

Ask yourself:

  • Did I stay within 7 values?
  • Are my extremes (lightest/darkest) clear?
  • Is there a clear value progression?
  • Do the studies feel organized or chaotic?
  • Did I work faster on images 4 and 5?

Be honest. This is how you improve.

Common Pitfalls

Pitfall 1: Using too many values
You squeeze in 10-12 values instead of limiting to 7. Result: Muddy, unclear studies.

Pitfall 2: No clear extremes
Everything is mid-value. No real lights or darks. Result: Flat, lifeless studies.

Pitfall 3: Getting stuck on details
You spend 3 minutes on one tree. Result: Unfinished study, no time management.

Pitfall 4: Ignoring the timer
You pause constantly, taking 15 minutes per image. Result: You're not training speed and intuition.

What's Next

After completing this assignment, you'll watch me do the same exercise in the next lesson.

See how I approach each image. Compare your value choices to mine.

Then you can repeat this assignment with different images anytime you want to sharpen your value hierarchy skills.

The Big Picture

This exercise is fundamental to landscape painting.

If you can't organize a scene into clear value hierarchy in 4 minutes, you'll struggle when painting for hours.

Master this, and value becomes intuitive instead of confusing.

Now hit play and go for it!

Course Navigation

Next Lesson: Robert's Practice Reel - Watch the instructor demonstration
Previous Lesson: Value - High Key Demo with Monet - Light, airy landscapes

Course Hub: Acrylic Landscape Fundamentals

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