Topic 2 : Practice drawing light and dark intensity of the figure
Practice of drawing weight intensity of light and shadow on the form
Practice of drawing lines for weight intensity of light and shadow on form of the object either in natural or man highlight, light, shadow, core of shadow, and cast shadow object makes the form appears three on a geometric form, like a sphere, will give understanding and skill according to the principle of light and shadow reflected on the object which can be use including plant, vegetable, fruit, human face and body to use this principle to make the picture looks real.
Meaning of weight value of light and shadow reflected on the object
Light reflected on an object creates different weight values of light and shadow. The course for line drawing can transfer this to line drawing as being shown here (from the reflection of light on a sphere)
The meaning of values of light intensity and shadow reflected on a form compared to the values of light intensity and shadow distinquished by human eyes into 9 levels.
Picture shows light and shadow intensity distinquished by eyes in 9 levels
1. Highlight is the brightest spot on an object seen as being white.
2. Light is the light and shadow intensity from the levels 1 to 3. It is the area where light reflected next to the highlight.
3. Shadow is weight intensity of light and shadow at levels 4 – 7. It is the area where light reflected less.
4. Core of Shadow is the weight intensity of light and shadow at levels 8 – 9 From the chart above, it is the dark area opposite to where the light enters.
5. Reflected Light is the weight intensity at levels 1 – 3. From the chart above, it is the luminous area near the core of shadow.
6. Cast Shadow is the weight intensity of light and shadow at level 9. From the chart above, it is the shadow area and decrease intensity further away from the object.
Analysis of light and shadow intensity on form of the object to be drawn on a plan
Plan is a solid object, flat, 2 dimensional (width x length). Plans may be put together to form 3 dimensional form (width x length x depth). Before drawing any form, a drawer should look at the object and analyze the form of the object as plans and form these plans into the structure of the object. The values of light and shadow intensity can be seen. Please notice the following picture and compare the left picture, which is analyzed according to various planes, to the right picture showing light and shadow on the sphere with blended highlight, light, shadow, core of shadow, reflected light and cast shadow on the surface of the object.
Picture shows the comparison of analysis of light and shadow intensity on spherical form by analyzing as various plans (left) and blended (right)
Characters of light and shadow in line drawing to give feelings to viewers
There are many characters, each one give different emotion and feelings. Therefore, a drawer has to plan and designate character of light and shadow in relation to the context that the picture is going to express. There are some methods to give light and shadow to convey the feelings.
Methods of training for putting light and shadow in line drawing
Hatching is to put light and heavy weight to the picture to give 3 dimensiona illusion having width, length and depth on a flat plane.
Steps of line drawing
Before putting weight intensity of light and shadow to the picture, one must plan which areas are for light, shadow and background. The proper planning will help speed up and simplify the process. There are steps as following.
Step 1 Begin sketching the overall forms of the picture with lines.
Method of drawing background by alternating side of weight
This is done by adding weight to the dark background of the and draw lightly in the shadow where the forms sit. It will help emphasize the forms and see them more clearly.
2. Drawing with landscape at the back
The landscape is shown in the background. It has less details and clarity than the forms (focal point). If the background landscape is descriptive and clear, it will compete with the forms, tone down the focal point and give wrong distance in the picture.
Setting of important priority in drawing
1. Prepare mind for drawing.
2. Prepare readiness of time and concentration.
3. Prepare materials, tools for drawing.
4. Choosing of angle and suitable object.
5. Start from sketching the right structure and form.
6. Weight right light and shadow.
7. Having personal technique and skill for expression.
Summary
Training of line drawing for weight intensity from light and shadow reflected on the form of object in the light area (highlight and light) and the shadow area (shadow, core of shadow, cast shadow and reflected light) make the 3 dimension form with width, length and depth (thickness). The training of weight intensity on geometric form like a sphere will help with understanding and skill. When using the chart of light and shadow intensity distinquishable by human eyes, the highlight is at level 0, light at levels 1 – 3 , shadow at levels 4 – 7, core of shadow at levels 8 – 9 , reflected light at levels 1 – 3 , and cast shadow at level 9 to lighter. Analysis as plan before drawing will help see the values of light and shadow intensity clearly. The priority setting begin with preparation of mind, time, concentration, materials, instrument, angle, sketching the right structure, weighting of light and shadow to the personal technique of the drawer.