Artist’s Value Scale Card (Free Printable Tool)

Welcome!
This free Artist’s Value Scale Card is a simple, helpful tool you can use with any acrylic painting project.
Values (lightness and darkness) are one of the strongest foundations in art — and this printable card makes it easy to compare your paint mixtures while you work.

Download the Value Scale Card (PDF)

Click below to download and print:

👉 Download the Artist’s Value Scale Card

The card prints at 3 x 5" — perfect for tucking into a binder or keeping beside your palette.

How to Use This Tool

Print, cut out, and laminate for reusable color-matching.
Or use as-is and reprint whenever you wish.

To compare a paint mixture:

  1. Hold the card near your painted area or reference photo.

  2. Squint or soften your gaze to focus on value rather than color.

  3. Match your mixture to the closest square.

  4. Adjust your paint lighter or darker as needed.

This simple technique helps bring clarity to highlights, shadows, and mid-tones in your artwork.

Why Use a Value Scale?

Understanding value helps you:

  • strengthen depth and form

  • improve shading and highlights

  • create better contrast

  • make your paintings feel more dimensional

This card is designed to support artists of all levels — especially those learning through the Everyday Art Series.

Want More Free Tools & Classes?

Browse my beginner-friendly acrylic classes, color worksheets, and painting resources anytime at:

👉 Shelly Parker ART YouTube Channel
👉 Everyday Art Series (Free Classes)
👉 Patreon —  Painting Tutorials

Copyright & Use

© Shelly Parker ART — For personal use only.
Please do not redistribute or sell this resource.