Wonder-Filled Wednesday No. 15: Dark And Light Shapes Are The Keystones Of Realistic Art

Hi, friends!

In this episode, we are focusing on drawing and painting techniques that we can use in the field or studio — specifically creating realism by putting dark and light shapes in the right place and marrying the two to achieve a lifelike result. And while you don’t have to slave over complete accuracy, there are a few principles that you can implement to make your visual nature journal notes look more realistic.

There are several different shadow and light shapes that are the result of the way light falls on a subject that we can use to create the illusion of 3D realism on a 2D surface.

The core shadow is formed at the point where light drops off and that area of the subject doesn’t receive the light, such as when the sphere rounds away from the light in the video example.

Form shadows add definition to the subject by illuminating shape (like in the video example by turning a flat circle into a rounded sphere) or texture (like when we paint all the crinkles in the Hollyhock petal).

Cast shadows help place a subject in its environment. It is the result of the subject blocking the light, and is very effective in conveying the solidity of an object.

Reflected light is seen in the darker areas when light bounces off of an object or surface and onto the subject. It’s subtle, but again increases the realism in your drawing and painting.

The highlight is in the area that is receiving the most light. Technically, it’s the light bouncing off the subject and into the viewer’s eye, but placing it where you feel the light hits the subject directly and then making sure the placement of the shadow shapes relate to it correctly increases the verisimilitude of your drawing/painting.

Halftones are the shaded bits that happen in the light. As a form curves away from the light source, the light becomes more diffuse or dim until it reaches the core shadow. Getting the correct gradation from core shadow to highlight will create realism in your drawing.

I hope you give this a try and keep practicing it. It’s one of those techniques that evolves over time, but is so rewarding!

xoSusannah

P.S. Keep scrolling for this week’s prompt.

P.P.S. What’s on my easel this week? Keep scrolling to find out!

P.P.P.S. Join this episode’s chat to share your journal pages, your thoughts, and cheer on others!

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Replay

Shadow And Light Shape Types (Time Stamp 2:06)

Drapery Practice (Time Stamp 20:52)

Applied Painting: Hollyhock (Time Stamp 41:02)

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Wonder-Filled Wednesday

Every Wednesday at 1:30pm Eastern US time (Time Converter), we marvel in our nature journals together — draw along with me or just watch, ask questions, etc. Livestreams are hosted on Substack for everyone, and recorded/archived for paid subscribers.

To join me live on your computer, look for my email notification. Or to watch on your phone download the app:

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Prompt And Extra References For Practice