Shadows can be a powerful resource for any artist, and that includes for character art. While areas of relative darkness are vital for conveying depth and for generating atmosphere, they also serve another function: they allow the artist to direct the viewer's gaze.
Take the artwork below. Here the Austrian concept artist Jenny Brozek guides our eye to her character’s face with the assistance of some sharp wedges. There are four characters in the scene, but the face of the character, named X, is the clear focal point and the first thing we notice.
