February 2010
Beginner to intermediate
32 pages
2h 45m
English
Shadows and highlights add depth, texture, and visual interest to a painting. Make sure to carefully observe objects, their shadows, and their highlights. Consistent shadows and highlights will add credibility to your work. Notice that the closer an object is to a wall or surface on which its shadow falls, the more defined its shadow will be. Highlights also vary depending on the lighting and surface of objects. Use shadows and highlights to capture textures and dramatic contrasts.

Note the soft, elongated shadows cast from the silver compote. The light is coming from the right, creating a cast shadow ...