Seeing the complex forms in nature as simple, basic planes is helpful in assigning relative values accurately to each item. This in turn helps give your landscape a natural look. The top of this page points out the relative difference between the basic planes. The ground becomes the top plane, receiving the most light. The slanted plane represents the hillside, and because of it's angle receives less light and consequently is one value darker than the top plane. The trees represent the upright plane, receiving even less light and is therefore 2 values darker than the ground in the light. Translating this into painted values, the grass in sunlight is painted at 8th value, and in the shade at value 6. The upright plane (tree) becomes 6 in the light and 4 in the shade.
© John Ennis 2011
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