Here is a great assignment: Practice drawing and painting shadows emerging from underneath objects. By including a shadow, it implies the location of the light source. Shadows help to anchor your subjects. See the image above - for realistic paintings, I include shadows. For my abstracts, shadows are not included because there may not be a light source.
And what color is the shadow? Generally, the color may be the complementary color of the light source. Paint a snow scene on a sunny day and the shadows on the snow will be bluish (orange sun, blue shadow).
Watch the demo to see an easy way to get started and a simplified approach to painting convincing shadows. For a realistic image, anchor the subject sitting on top of their own shadow.
In the painting part of the demo, I establish the direction of the light source to also create dimension. You will hear me say Dark Against Light, Dark Against Light over and over again. Incorporating a light source in your paintings will give focus, shape, dimension and a point of interest! Once you figure out where your light source is, you will know where to place the shadow.
Summary Notes:
1. Practice drawing and painting shadows.
2. Set object on top of its shadow.
3. Shadow emerges from underneath the object.
4. Shadow move away from the light source.
5. Shadows work best with realism; no need for shadows with abstracts if you aren’t using a particular light source.
Now, get out of your studio - go outside and look at shadows early in the day or late afternoon.
Enjoying watching Bob's Demos?
We have a NEW Monthly Demo - All on ZOOM
Inviting you into Bob’s Studio so you can watch his process at work.
•December 14, 2020 - 9am - 10:30am PT
“How to Start and Finish a Painting”
•January 13, 2020 - 9am - 10:30am PT
“Studio Table Set-up and Warm-Up Painting Exercises”
Interested in making a painting all in Black and White?
We have a new Date Night exploring that subject!
December Date Night topics are all new!
Date Night with Bob!
New Subjects!!! - Wednesdays in December
Saturdays in January
All Zoom Painting Workshops!
This is what we're up to… Come Join the Fun!
"Zoomin' with Bob!"
Monday & Tuesday, 10-noon PT and 1-3pm PT
Online Workshops in November, December and January
Click here for more information!
•Color Lesson: Making and Using Neutrals in your Painting
January 11-12, 2021
•Paint the Effects of Light
Monday, January 4, 10-noon & 1-3 pm PT
Click here for more information!
•Art Marketing: Make More $$ - The 10 Must-Do's to Sell your Paintings
Saturday, February 6, 12:00-3:00 pm PT
Something New for You! • Burridge Critiques Your Art
Online honest critiques • Private one-on-one
Critiques • Comments • Suggestions
Click here for more information!
New Virtual Juried Show - Details Coming…
•Prospectus available December 20
•The Theme is “Table Setting"
•Our Juror is Karen Vernon!
•Whole Bunch of Prizes!
Looking forward to seeing your work!
