How to Draw & Shade Objects & Things with Artificial Light Coming From Side with the Following Drawing & Shading Lesson

ARTIFICIAL LIGHT AT THE SIDE.

Fig. 13 represents the same group when exposed to the rays of a very powerful lamp placed near the group.

Strong contrasts of light and shade.

The effect is due to the contrast of strong lights and deep shadows, and at first glance we feel the simplicity of the masses of light and shadow. Fig. 13 makes these masses more simple than they really were, for it does not give the delicate gradations. The light and dark upon the cone, for instance, would, except near its base, represent a pyramid ; for there is so little gradation near the shadow element that the idea of roundness is not well expressed. Upon the sphere the circle (ellipse) that separates light from shadow is also very sharp.

Sharp and dark shadows.

Sharpness is, however, a distinguishing feature of the shadows of objects that are exposed to one strong artificial light, and the stronger the light, the greater the contrast between the masses of light and shadow, and the less the gradation from one to the other upon rounded objects. There is, of course, gradation upon rounded objects, but it is very delicate through all the mass of the light, and is principally confined to a very small space near the shadow element.

Masses of dark very simple.

Another effect characteristic of a single artificial light is the strength and simplicity of the masses of shadow formed by the shadows and cast shadows. The base of the cylinder and the cast shadow of the cylinder illustrate a common effect, namely, that in which the shadow and cast shadow adjoining are nearly of the same value. The shadow side of the cube illustrates another effect, that in which the shadow and cast shadow are of the same, or so nearly the same, value that the contour of the object is lost in the mass of shadow. The student who works with light and dark or with color should be careful not to represent contours which cannot be seen, for much of the interest and artistic effect of the drawing depends upon its being true to nature in this respect.