Value describes achromatic color, that is, color devoid of hue. So, how do we translate objects that are full of color in real life into black and gray drawings? You have to look at the lightness and darkness of a color in order to determine its value. Keep in mind that color is separate from value; a red tie and a blue suit may be different hues, but they may share the same value.
In this illustration please find one linear grayscale and two gray "wheels". One of the wheels is a true grayscale, while the other is a color wheel converted into a grayscale. Can you see the translation of color into value? (NOTE: This example is truly affective when the student has knowledge of what a color wheel looks like.)
This fabric collage provides a clear example of that translation, and the idea that color is separate from value.
