TONAL VALUES & TEXTURE
We use the term "texture" most often to describe the relative
smoothness or roughness of a surface. It can also describe the
cha racteristic surface qualities of familiar materials, as the
hewn appearance of stone, the grain of wood, and the weave of
afabric. This is tactile texture that can be felt by touch.
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Our senses of sight and touch are closely
intertwined. As our eyes read the visua l texture
of a surface, we often respond to its apparent
tactile quality without actually touching it. We
base these physical reactions on the textural
qualities of similar materials we have experienced
in the past.
• Whenever we use hatching or stippling to create
atonal value, we simultaneously create visual
texture.
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• Likewise, as soon as we begin to describe the
nature of amaterial with lines, we
simultaneously create atonal value.
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• We should always be aware of t his relationship
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between tonal value and texture, whether
smooth or rough, hard or soft, polished or dull.
In most cases, tonal va lue is more critical than
texture to the representation of light, shade,
and the way they model forms in space.
RENDERIN GT
ONAL VALUES/ 133