How to Draw Shadows by Learning How to See the Variations in Values and Dividing Lines of Lights and Shadows in the Following Drawing Lesson

DRAWING SHADOWS.

Does not show detail or local color.

The effect of the shadow upon detail is similar to that of the light, detail being lost for lack of light, and local color being so changed that it would often not be known from the color of the shadow.

Varies in value.

The values of objects of different colors are not changed relatively by shadows when they are placed so as to receive equal amounts of the reflected lights ; thus yellow in shadow is lighter than orange in shadow, and so on. But the student cannot determine the values of the different shadows by any theory ; for the objects which receive them reflect light so differently that observation alone can determine the values, and the value of a light object may be darker than that of a much darker one.

At first the student will have great difficulty in seeing any difference between the different shadows of the group, and he may be assisted by thinking of the local colors, as the values of the shadows will often be in harmony with the values of the local colors. In Fig. 15, for instance, to most students the shadow on the cast will seem as dark or even darker than that of the cast on the panelling ; but if the student thinks of the local colors of the two surfaces, —or better still, blurs his eyes and tries to decide what colors he would use if painting the subject with colors, — he will often be assisted to see the true values of the shadows.

Dividing line of light and shade important.

When objects are bounded by edges, the edges define the shadow surfaces ; but when objects are bounded by curved surfaces, the shadows are not sharply defined, but grade into the light and produce the intermediate tones called half light. It is very important that the dividing line of light and shade be carefully drawn throughout, and when it is upon a rounded object the greatest pains must be taken that the gradation does not destroy the effect of the general direction of the line ; this shows when the eyes are blurred so that the masses of light and dark are seen.

Defined by an element.

In the cylinder or cone the shadow is defined by an element ; in common objects which are variations of the type forms, the dividing line of light and shade will not always conform to a foreshortened section of the object through the axis, but it may often, in parts, become practically the element of a short cone or cylinder ; and if its direction is not truly given, upon parts which are cylindrical or conical, their forms cannot be well expressed.