Painting Values Tool – Simplify Photos for Watercolor & Art

• Free online tool for artists to simplify reference photos into tonal values. Perfect for watercolor sketches, value studies, and planning your painting compositions.

Master your compositions by simplifying complex photos into clear tonal shapes.

1. Upload your reference

• Text: Choose a photo from your library to start your value analysis.

2. Select Value Levels

• Text: Use the slider to reduce the image to 2–8 tonal steps. Three values (Black, Gray, White) are ideal for finding the "big shapes."

3. Study and Paint

• Text: Focus on the connections between shapes rather than details. Download the result to use as a guide at your easel.

Why use a Value Tool? 

Understanding Values in Art Values (or tones) are the foundation of any great painting. They define the light, shadow, and 3D form of your subject. By using this Painting Values Tool, you can:

• Identify the strongest compositions before you start.

• Simplify complex scenes into manageable shapes.

• Ensure your watercolor washes have the correct tonal contrast.

Your privacy matters. The images you upload are not stored anywhere, cannot be seen by anyone else, and are never saved. They are only processed locally in your browser and can only be downloaded by you.