Designing with light and shadow is one of the most powerful tools I use to bring my figures to life. It’s more than just copying what I see. I use light and shadow to shape the form, guide the viewer’s eye, and create mood and feeling. When used with purpose, they also help design the composition by adding structure, movement and clarity to the drawing.
There are two aspects to the process of designing light. First, I take a moment to observe quietly and with purpose. I look at the light, the pose, the background and anything else that sparks an idea or inspires me. Then, once I have a clear picture in my mind, I move on to the next phase: crafting and shading.
