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How to Create Dramatic Lighting for Your Drawings

A well-shaded drawing begins with a well-lit subject. How often do you consider the lighting when you choose something to draw? If you're like most artists, probably not enough. Whether you're drawing from life or a photo, the lighting is just as important as the subject itself.

When we draw, we aren't just drawing an object. We are drawing the effect of light on that object. The difference between a drawing that appears dull and flat versus one that is dimensional and dramatic often comes down to lighting. This guide will show you how to use a single light source to create dramatic light and shadow.

What is Single-Source Lighting?

Single-source lighting is exactly what it sounds like: lighting your subject with a single source of light. This could be the sun, or it could be as simple as a desk lamp. It is the best way to create dramatic light and shadow on any subject.

Even if you don't set up your own lighting, you need to be able to look at a reference photo and know if it’s lit in a way that will benefit your drawing.

How to Set Up Your Lighting

You only need a few things to get started: a subject and a single light source. I use an LED light, but a simple, cheap desk lamp works great. It's best to do this in a dark room so your main light source provides most of the illumination.

For a classic lighting setup, follow these guidelines:

• Position the light off to one side of the subject, but also pull it around toward the front.
• Place the light source slightly above the object.
• The goal is to have about two-thirds to three-quarters of your subject in direct light, leaving the rest in shadow.

This setup creates a beautiful range of values, from bright highlights to deep, rich shadows and a clear cast shadow.

What to Look For

When your lighting is set up well, you will see a few key things that help describe the form:

1. A full range of values: You should see everything from brilliant highlights to deep, dark shadows. This tells you that you'll need to use your full value range in your drawing.
2. A clear division of light and shadow: The lit areas should be clearly separated from the shadow areas. This helps the viewer understand where the light is coming from and how it's hitting the form.
3. An accentuation of form: Good lighting describes the three-dimensionality of the subject. On a sphere, the curved line dividing light and shadow, the circular highlight, and the oval-shaped cast shadow all work together to emphasize its roundness.

Common Lighting Mistakes to Avoid

The position of your light source dramatically changes the look of your subject.

• Light too far to the side: When the light is directly to the side of a round object, the line dividing light and shadow can appear straight. This works against the form and can make it look flat.
• Light too far to the front: Moving the light directly in front of your subject can eliminate most of the shadows. Without shadows to describe the form, a beautiful three-dimensional object will appear flat.

Remember, the goal of single-source lighting is to accentuate the dimensionality and enhance the form of whatever you are lighting.

Applying This to Any Subject

This lighting principle works for any subject, from simple to complex. On a detailed object like a skull, a single light source makes every small texture and detail sing.

For figure drawing, single-source lighting is everything. It does a beautiful job of describing all the small, anatomical details and the undulations of muscle and bone. I light every single one of my figure drawings with a single source.

Your Project

Now it's your turn to practice.

Drawing from Life

Use a desk lamp to light a simple object, like a piece of fruit. Look for that full range of values and a clear division of light and shadow. Once you feel comfortable, move on to more complex subjects that you want to draw.

Drawing from Reference Photos

Pay close attention to how the subjects in your reference photos are lit. Are they lit with a single light source? If a subject in a photo is not lit well, you cannot do a good drawing of it.

Drawing from Imagination

If you draw from imagination, this is still a critical skill. To draw a convincing form, you have to be able to imagine a light source and how it affects your subject.

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