Oil Painting Lessons - Drawing Lights and Shadows

In the real world, the light comes from one main direction.  This is the rule.  Even if you are outdoors, the light from the sun comes at you from East to West.  Depending on where you are during the day will determine where the shadows are.  This is the same with painting.

You must always determine where your light source is coming from. Once you have done this, keep it consistent.  It will show quickly if you have a subject standing on one side of the canvas with the light dancing off her hair from the left and on the other side of the canvas the table has light streaming in from the right. 

You can help to keep the light source in the proper perspective in painting by setting a light where ever you are going to have it shine from.  If you choose to have the light source come from the right of the painting, then set a light to the right of your canvas.  Keep the light source in your studio the same as the light source in your painting.  This can assist you in keeping shadows where they need to be and reflective light where it should be. 

As you become more familiar with painting lights and shadows you may not need this technique so much.  It is just a simple way to keep everything flowing in the same direction. It helps to keep the visual real.

The light source will fade as it travels across the canvas.  In some paintings, it will fade quickly.  This will depend on the subject and type of painting you are doing.  You may want to splash a sunset across the canvas.  There will be shadows, and dark ones, where the light source starts to fade.

To understand how crucial lighting is in a painting, set up a still life on a table.  Nothing fancy, just a few pieces of fruit in a bowl or a vase of flowers will do.  Now get bare 60 watt light bulb to set around the table.  Start on your left.  See where the light glistens off the surface of the subject.  Notice where the shadows are.  See how the light fades across the scene. 

Move the light to the back, front, and other side to notice all the angles.  This will give you a good idea how light works on a subject.  You can even simulate high noon by suspending the light bulb from up above.  Placing a sheet or other translucent material between the light and the table will show you the affects of an overcast day or diffused lighting.

You can become familiar with lights and shadows the more you do this.  By using different test models, you will begin to understand how curves, reflective surfaces, and other things can affect the light.  This will enable you to capture it more accurately on your canvas.

If you thought all you needed to do was buy some paint, a brush, and a canvas to start painting you were right.  To be really good at it takes some thought and planning.  Even a few exercises in painting techniques will be necessary to create a good work of art.

Amazing Painting Lessons: Learn & Master Painting Course

Learn how to paint with step-by-step painting lessons supported by video and audio files. Learn & Master Painting and takes you on a journey from beginner to advanced in your painting techniques.

These video lessons are amazing, they have been professionally recorded and edited and are guaranteed to be more stylish and useful than anything you will find. There is no substitute for seeing and hearing how something is supposed to be painted. You'll discover the most effective ways to practice so that you master new material quickly, without developing bad habits. Learn to paint smoothly and flawlessly, while cutting your learning time in half!

You WILL NOT waste hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on expensive painting lessons. You will learn all of the tips and tricks. You even get sounds files (AND video) so you can paint along to for inspiration. 

Learn And Master Painting is THE BEST painting course on the market. 

Click Here Now For Instant Access While It’s On A Massive 3 Day Sale!

Painting Lessons

Learn How to Paint | Painting Lessons DVDs | Painting Tutorials Online | Learn And Master Painting