How to Draw a Shadow
Imagine the artificial light., Draw eight circles around the imaginary light bulb., Use your pencil to add shadows on the circles., Show the light areas., Start showing the cast shadow., Smudge the farther area of the cast shadow., Add darker shades...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Imagine the artificial light.
Knowing what kind of light that creates the shadow is very important in drawing shadow.
That way, you will know where the direction of the shadow should be drawn which is against that specific light source.
Train your eyes to see like an artist, let us start by you imagining a light bulb at the middle of your drawing. -
Step 2: Draw eight circles around the imaginary light bulb.
These circles will serve as the subjects of your drawing.
This way, you will see how the light source affected the shadow based on where the subject was placed. , Draw harder or darker lines on the circles to show the shadows.
The shadows are the shades within clear boundaries or the subject that receive no or little light.
Use hatching or crosshatching while trying to show the shades.
Make sure that you don’t let any shade go out of the circle.
The darker areas should be the areas that are against the light source. , Use your eraser to show the light areas.
This is to emphasize that the light areas are conforming to the light source or to make it simple, the light is bouncing from the artificial light to the subject that is facing the light source. , Always remember that the shadow is against light.
So when a subject is placed beside a light source, the shadow should show on the surface where the light is blocked by the subject.
Again, keep in mind where the subject is placed to know where the cast shadow should be drawn. , Use your finger to smudge the farthest areas on the cast shadow.
This effect shows that the cast shadow is far from the light. , This is to show shadowing effects.
The nearer the cast shadow on the boundary line of the subject, the less transparent the cast shadow should be. -
Step 3: Use your pencil to add shadows on the circles.
-
Step 4: Show the light areas.
-
Step 5: Start showing the cast shadow.
-
Step 6: Smudge the farther area of the cast shadow.
-
Step 7: Add darker shades on the nearer areas.
Detailed Guide
Knowing what kind of light that creates the shadow is very important in drawing shadow.
That way, you will know where the direction of the shadow should be drawn which is against that specific light source.
Train your eyes to see like an artist, let us start by you imagining a light bulb at the middle of your drawing.
These circles will serve as the subjects of your drawing.
This way, you will see how the light source affected the shadow based on where the subject was placed. , Draw harder or darker lines on the circles to show the shadows.
The shadows are the shades within clear boundaries or the subject that receive no or little light.
Use hatching or crosshatching while trying to show the shades.
Make sure that you don’t let any shade go out of the circle.
The darker areas should be the areas that are against the light source. , Use your eraser to show the light areas.
This is to emphasize that the light areas are conforming to the light source or to make it simple, the light is bouncing from the artificial light to the subject that is facing the light source. , Always remember that the shadow is against light.
So when a subject is placed beside a light source, the shadow should show on the surface where the light is blocked by the subject.
Again, keep in mind where the subject is placed to know where the cast shadow should be drawn. , Use your finger to smudge the farthest areas on the cast shadow.
This effect shows that the cast shadow is far from the light. , This is to show shadowing effects.
The nearer the cast shadow on the boundary line of the subject, the less transparent the cast shadow should be.
About the Author
Alice Tucker
Enthusiastic about teaching pet care techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: