Value Studies: The Brave Explorers of Light and Shadow

Sometimes a sketch starts well… and sometimes it wanders across the book gutter like it’s on vacation. That’s exactly what happened when I drew the first sketch of Market at Main, a Lynchburg classic where chrome and shadows collide with sandwiches and stories.

The Great Sketchbook Escape

I started this piece in my sketchbook after a lunch in November. Inspired by the cozy counter and all its reflective charm, I grabbed my pencil and got to work—until the sketch decided it didn’t care about my plans and meandered across the book gutter. Rude, right?

So, I moved the party to my 9x12-inch pulpy sketchbook, the kind that makes every pencil stroke feel like it’s part of a noir film. This sketchbook doesn’t judge; it’s here for the smudges, the darks, and the diner drama.

Chunky, mechanical pencil value and composition study - Market at Main (original location)

Materials That Matter

Enter my Royal & Langnickle mechanical pencil, a chunky, no-nonsense tool loaded with 2B lead. It’s perfect for wrangling shadows and coaxing highlights off chrome diner stools. The soft pulp of the paper welcomed every swipe of graphite, letting me bring out the contrast and depth that make a value study shine.

Why Value Studies?

Because light and shadow are like frenemies—they need each other, but they never quite get along. Value studies are where you step in as the mediator, figuring out where the darks should brood and where the highlights can sparkle. They’re the unsung heroes of every finished piece, laying the groundwork for composition, contrast, and storytelling.

Sketching Takeaway: Always carry a backup sketchbook for the wanderers. And remember, every shadow has its shine—it’s just waiting for you to find it.