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HOW TO LIGHT THE MODEL

Always use only one dominant light on your model. It’s okay to have some general light in the room, but several competing lights directed at the model will create forms that are flat or hard to read. Below are two drawings of the same woman done with two different lighting styles that were practiced by two master artists: Rembrandt and Van Dyke. One creates a harsh look with distinct shadows and more contrast (Rembrandt’s high-contrast side lighting), whereas the other produces a more feminine, delicate image (Van Dyke’s low-contrast front lighting).

Side Lighting When drawing this portrait, I worked in a dark room with ...