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About Value Study
What is Value Study?
Value Study is a paid mobile and desktop app (iOS, Android, Mac) that instantly converts any reference photo into a simplified grayscale or color study. It helps artists train their eye to see light and dark patterns clearly—a fundamental skill for drawing and painting.
Who is it for?
Designed for beginners struggling with values and experienced artists wanting a quick reference tool. It is not for photo editing or graphic design. Best for traditional and digital artists, art students, and educators looking for a teachable, privacy-focused tool.
Real use cases
Use Value Study to simplify a photo into 2–5 value shapes for notan studies, toggle outlines to trace composition, or flip images for mirror checking. Teachers can assign it for value-spotting exercises without worrying about privacy—all processing happens locally on the device.
Key features
- Eyedropper — Select any value in your image to match or analyze tones.
- Shape Simplification — Reduce a photo to 2, 3, 4+ values for clear value studies.
- Toggle Color — Switch between grayscale and color to learn value relationships.
- Histogram — See the distribution of values in your reference.
- Toggle Outlines — Show or hide outlines to focus on shapes.
- Grid Overlay — Composition guides for accurate placement.
- And More — Flip, export, and other tools.
SaaSpartout Score
6.9
/10
Editorial score from our review methodology — not user ratings.
Value Study Pricing
Value Study pricing: from $1.99/year.
Annual Subscription — $1.99/year
Low yearly cost, cancel anytime. Includes all features. Try free with sample images before subscribing.
Lifetime Purchase — $6.99
Pay once, use forever. Best value for serious artists. Includes all features with no future payments. Special pricing available for schools and educators.
Free trial: Download the app and try it with free sample images before choosing a plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is Value Study free to use?
Value Study is a paid app, but you can try it for free using the included sample images before purchasing. Plans start at $1.99/year or $6.99 lifetime.
How much does Value Study cost?
Annual subscription is $1.99/year. Lifetime purchase is $6.99. Special pricing for schools and educators is available.
What platforms does Value Study support?
Value Study is available on iOS, Mac, and Android via the App Store and Google Play.
Who is Value Study best for?
Best for artists of all levels—beginners learning values and serious artists doing notan studies. Also used by art teachers for classroom exercises.
What are the best alternatives to Value Study?
Alternatives include Adobe Photoshop's threshold adjustments and free apps like Notan Studio. However, Value Study is unique for its simplicity, low cost, and privacy focus.
Does Value Study upload my images to a server?
No. All processing happens locally on your device. No ads, and no uploading of your artwork or references. Only anonymous analytics are collected to improve the app.
