Value Study: art reference

Name: Value Study: art reference
Rating: 4.8 (3030 reviews)
Author: Diem Limited

Analyze light and shadow

Free · In‑App Purchases

3K Ratings
Ages

4+
Years
Category

Graphics & Design
Developer

Diem Limited
Language

EN
+ 11 More
Size

21.3
MB

In art, value (or tone) refers to how light or dark a colour is. If you're learning to paint or draw, doing value studies is one of the best ways to improve. These small, loose sketches in greyscale help you understand where shadows fall and highlights appear—essential for capturing depth and form. Value Study is a simple, focused tool designed to help you see values more clearly in your reference images. Instead of just converting a photo to black and white, this app lets you break down tones step by step. Start with just black and white to map out the biggest shapes, then gradually add more values to refine your understanding. You can also highlight all areas of an image that share the same value, making it easier to see subtle shifts in tone. This is especially useful in complex references, like portraits, where different parts of the image might have the same level of shadow but look completely different in colour. Value Study isn’t here to replace traditional studies—it’s here to enhance them. Whether you're sketching, painting, or working digitally, this tool makes it easier to focus on the fundamentals of light, shadow, and form. Try it for free with all features enabled on sample images from Unsplash before deciding to unlock the full app with a low-cost yearly or lifetime purchase. All Value Study Pro upgrades count as lifetime purchase. Either option will unlock Value Study across iPhone, iPad and Mac. Annual: Auto-renews yearly. Lifetime: One-time payment, no fees. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Ratings & Reviews

4.8

out of 5

3K Ratings

Watercolor Helpful
12/09/2025

Sno & Lo
Just right. Just enough features but not so many that it gets confusing Very helpful especially now that I found out I can download it to my Mac and use the bigger screen. Thank you.
Watercolor Helpful
12/09/2025

Sno & Lo

Just right. Just enough features but not so many that it gets confusing Very helpful especially now that I found out I can download it to my Mac and use the bigger screen. Thank you.
Diem Ltd = Committed and Perseveres. Try it, Buy it.
12/31/2024

r_screenname
I may be like you, I am a very discriminating app downloader. Initially, I used this app to - try, and moved forward through iOS devices only, to purchasing lifetime, to sharing it as my drawing friends must try, and through multiple quick helpful chats with the creator, touse now - on my OS mac desktop. Shane is the best and each version is a blessing. My favorite new feature is Simplify Shapes. Try it. Preview before purchase. Mac, iPhone, and iPad apps

Developer Response
Ah that’s so kind, thank you! The macOS has been a tricky one but think the initial teething issues are solved now thankfully.
Diem Ltd = Committed and Perseveres. Try it, Buy it.
12/31/2024

r_screenname

I may be like you, I am a very discriminating app downloader. Initially, I used this app to - try, and moved forward through iOS devices only, to purchasing lifetime, to sharing it as my drawing friends must try, and through multiple quick helpful chats with the creator, touse now - on my OS mac desktop. Shane is the best and each version is a blessing. My favorite new feature is Simplify Shapes. Try it. Preview before purchase. Mac, iPhone, and iPad apps
Developer Response 01/01/2025
Ah that’s so kind, thank you! The macOS has been a tricky one but think the initial teething issues are solved now thankfully.
Great tool!
01/18/2025

Popy509274
The vlaue study app is simple to use and has allowed me to simplify my subject mater ina. few clicks.

Developer Response
So glad to hear that, thank you for reviewing and using Value Study!
Great tool!
01/18/2025

Popy509274

The vlaue study app is simple to use and has allowed me to simplify my subject mater ina. few clicks.
Developer Response 02/12/2025
So glad to hear that, thank you for reviewing and using Value Study!
Highly recommended
Feb 23

LJM331
I normally do not write reviews unless worthy! I’m a beginner at painting with acrylics, and blocking in values can be a chore, but with this tool, you can focus on blocking in mid, dark and light values separately, or all together. I’m still learning the tool, but do appreciate the detailed overview of how to use each function, with the why you might want to use a specific function. Very user friendly, my go to app! Believe me, I have downloaded many apps that do not detail what is needed as this app does.I have one request, and that is when you toggle back and forth with the original colors and the histogram, it would be nice if whatever zoom % you are viewing would stay the same, eliminating re-zooming back to the area I am studying every time I toggle. Small request but would be very helpful as I study values in a specific area of my photo. Thank you for creating this app.

Developer Response
Thank you so much! This request of yours should now be working 😊
Highly recommended
Feb 23

LJM331

I normally do not write reviews unless worthy! I’m a beginner at painting with acrylics, and blocking in values can be a chore, but with this tool, you can focus on blocking in mid, dark and light values separately, or all together. I’m still learning the tool, but do appreciate the detailed overview of how to use each function, with the why you might want to use a specific function. Very user friendly, my go to app! Believe me, I have downloaded many apps that do not detail what is needed as this app does.I have one request, and that is when you toggle back and forth with the original colors and the histogram, it would be nice if whatever zoom % you are viewing would stay the same, eliminating re-zooming back to the area I am studying every time I toggle. Small request but would be very helpful as I study values in a specific area of my photo. Thank you for creating this app.
Developer Response Mar 16
Thank you so much! This request of yours should now be working 😊

The old Add to Photos has been replaced with Export. You can now use Export (in the tools menu) to save to Photos, use the Share Sheet, or print your value studies. This new system will allow more export customisation in future. If there’s something you'd like added, let me know: shane@valuestudy.app Also includes improved zoom-out behaviour (helpful for tracing) and a new Blink setting to make the selection highlight easier to see, especially when using a projector.