The past few weeks have been a bit chaotic, and I ended up not updating the website. My bad…
But let’s move on. I’m back, and I’d like to talk about a topic that sparked a great discussion in one of my amateur drawing groups on Facebook.
The thing is, I personally think realism is a rather ungrateful technique — and one that is often misunderstood by beginner illustrators as the definition of art. This misunderstanding can lead an amateur artist to invest hours, days, or even weeks of their life into a realistic drawing while neglecting other, often more important, techniques and foundational concepts. In the end, what they’ve created is nothing more than a low-quality copy — usually of a photo of a movie star. Nothing beyond what any scanner-printer combo can do today, but with more flaws.
One of the hardest parts of working with realistic technique isn’t reproducing micro-details like skin pores or strands of hair — it’s knowing how to properly manipulate shadow and light. These concepts might seem simple at first, but they are anything but.
Without mastering them — and without understanding other principles like the Golden Ratio, for example — your work might show some very noticeable flaws, especially when it comes to portraits: uneven nostrils, crooked lashes in unnatural positions, misaligned pupils with no expression, or eyes of different sizes.
The theory of light and shadow in art, often referred to as chiaroscuro, is a set of techniques used by artists to create the illusion of depth, volume, and realism. This theory relies on contrast between light and dark to define shapes and space. That’s where a few important concepts come in, such as the position of the light source, which determines where light hits the object and where shadows are cast.
Here’s a breakdown of the main types of lighting effects:
- Direct Light: This is the part of the object directly illuminated by the light source. It’s the brightest area and is crucial for defining the direction of the light.
- Reflected Light: Light that bounces off a surface and subtly lights up shaded areas of the object. It’s softer and less intense than direct light but adds important detail to shadows.
- Penumbra (Half-Shadow): This is the transition area between direct light and full shadow — a gradient region where light gradually fades.
- Core Shadow: The darkest part on the object itself, facing away from the light source. This shadow defines the object’s form and is essential for creating the illusion of volume.
- Cast Shadow: The shadow the object throws onto another surface. The shape and intensity of this shadow help suggest the object’s position in space and its relationship with both the light source and its surroundings.
- Contrast Between Light and Shadow: This is what gives life and mood to the object. High contrast can create a dramatic effect, while low contrast suggests softer, diffused lighting.
- Tonal Gradients: Smooth transitions between light and dark, which help avoid abrupt or artificial-looking shifts in shading.
No… knowing how to handle light and shadow isn’t as easy as it looks. It takes dedication and a lot of practice. The film industry explores light and shadow extensively, as it influences not just character expression but also the overall emotional atmosphere experienced by the audience.
Maybe paying closer attention to lighting details next time you watch a movie, a series, or even play a realistic game can help you “train your eyes” for your next realistic drawing.
