Critique - Shadow Mapping
Critique - Shadow Mapping
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Critique - Shadow Mapping
courseDrawing BasicsFull course (181 lessons)
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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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COMMENTS
Stan Prokopenko
Your drawings look flat because all your edges feel the same. In this premium lesson, I critique the Shadow Mapping project and show how to choose and control edges.
ANX804U
1mo
arigato gosiamas]
Josh Fiddler
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.
Juice
2mo
I hope it will be some christmas challenge this December also 😊 Its so fun.
Kevin Burfield
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.
HAK24
3mo
Thanks again professor Stan. Nice lesson!
onigi *pronunce [on-ie-gee]*
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.
HAK24
3mo
HAK24
3mo
Alison Shelton
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?
@uzumaki
1mo
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
Vue Thao
3mo
Lol @ Scott. The horse part.
HAK24
3mo
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.
Sean Ramsey
That's awesome to hear! Yeah getting feedback is so helpful for your improvement. It's great he was able to go over your assignment!
Juice
3mo
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.
Stan Prokopenko
The edge facing the shadow side follows the same logic. It describes the plane changes toward the shadow side!
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