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LESSON NOTES
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I walk through a critique of the Shadow Mapping project and show how to choose and control edges. You’ll see how to spot and fix common issues like everything-too-sharp, everything-too-soft, messy halftones, weak containment, and symmetry that flattens forms. I demo core shadow vs cast shadow, where to go sharp, firm, or soft, how to build soft edges with gradation instead of thick sharp strokes, and how to map before rendering. We also cover shape design, zigzags, proportion checks, contour strategy, paper texture, pencil handling, and drawing size.
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critique-shadow-mapping.mp4
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critique-shadow-mapping-transcript-english.txt
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critique-shadow-mapping-transcript-spanish.txt
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critique-shadow-mapping-captions-english.srt
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critique-shadow-mapping-captions-spanish.srt
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COMMENTS
Take-Aways
- variety: if it's not obvious, push it a little, especially in areas that will accentuate the forms. Variety is also not the same as complexity. Focus on the big reads.
- shape design >> anatomy: good, clear shape design compensates for any deficiencies in anatomy knowledge. And a key element of good shape design is asymmetry and rhythm. Ignoring that you know it's an arm and has muscles and instead thinking about C,S,I, round/organic vs boxy will get you where you need to go.
- proportion: while less important than the above, accurate proportions support shape design and variety
- thick ≠ soft: an edge that is soft is gradated, light.
- outlines/contours should support the sense of form. Outlining everything can detract from the overall effect of roundness, flattening things out.
- finding the terminator is only the first step in identifying the core shadow.
Also, I really appreciate how Stan tempers his expectations based on the skill levels of submissions, as well as as the critique precedes. I think that helps those of us that might get discouraged by commentary that doesn't speak to their skill level.
Sorry I did the assignment wrong and rendered the entire thing. I realized after I submitted it and saw everyone else’s that I didn’t do it right. But I’m super stoked you took the time to critique my submission! That was really cool. Thanks for everything Stan! And thanks for the awesome course. It’s been one of my favorite courses so far.
I was struggling to understand what was a firm line and what was a sharp line.The explanation in this demo really helped me out.
This is why I was asking about charcoal. I find it difficult to control. Is it just practice or are there good tutorials that will help?
I feel your pain dude, i have the same issue. It is a struggle to control. Steve Huston has some good tutorials regarding charcoal sketching/shading. The paper plays a huge roll. Newsprint is your friend
Excellent, Mr. Stan! Thank you for the feedback; I understand it and I will practice doing smooth edges.
I've noticed a significant improvement after applying the last two lessons you gave before this critique session.
Thank you! If its firm edge make it thin and soft thicker. I get it. I’ll keep on focusing finding firm and Sharp edges. And yeah I think I was a bit confused with the shadow mapping as well because the terminator gets 2 edges one to the light side and one towards the shadow side we don’t fill in. So i didnt really knew what to do towards the shadow side.
