Light is how we develop our perception of what we see, how light bounces off the surface, illuminating human features, this is how we perceive the shape and contour of a face or folds in clothes. But it is not only that the light shines, or how it reflects the surface, which shows us the details and reveals the information. It also means that the light does not shine, which helps us determine the depth and dimension of our object because of how it contrasts with the areas that receive the light. The range of values created between the darkest and the lightest areas helps us estimate the angle, distance, and curve of the object.
You can't just add extra contrast and shadow, regardless of the direction of the light source. If you fake it, your brain will know that something is wrong because it creates a conflict or contradiction with reality. And even despite the fact that the flash we use when shooting, revolutionized the ability to take those photos where it was previously very difficult or even impossible, but also created many problems when using these photos as a link. The flash can smooth out your images, creating harsh and completely unnatural shadows that do not correspond at all to the natural contours of your object. It also creates lighted areas and highlights, where they would never exist in natural light. This is due to how the flash horizontally projects light into areas and grooves, so that it will never return or be reflected back naturally.
The concept of light is probably one of the most important to understand if we want to add size and curve to your pencil drawings. There are three basic rules of light that add depth, contour, size and detail, which can add realistic quality and character to your work.
Everything that goes where there is less light becomes darker
To add depth to your drawing, a basic understanding of this rule should be clear. Anything that visually moves to where there was less light should naturally increase in price and become darker. Increasing all your individual values, keeping them all relative to each other, when they go to where there is less and less light, you will increase the depth and dimension of your drawings. When creating darker values to achieve this, it is important to remember that there is still a limit on the amount of pressure that should be applied when using your pencils. You always want to allow graphite removal if necessary, so if you have reached the pressure limit with one pencil, but you still need more value, then go to the next pencil in the sequence to create a darker value. Make sure that you never use more than the value you need, so you will have little value in reserve when you need to show where the minimum amount of light is less.
Everything that comes where more light gets easier
For example, as you approach the top of the curve, it can be very good, more light. Therefore, all individual values in your drawing will gradually decrease as you get closer to the light. This will significantly improve the sensation of the curve, contour, measurement and help create the illusion that it is three-dimensional. Demonstrating the contour and curve — such is the use of your drawing that you never want to miss the opportunity to turn it on. This leads to the following rule.
All the same value will be flat
It is very important to avoid the appearance of any part of your drawing, especially if it is a portrait. There is nothing dense in the human form, so I constantly suggest that you always show value when you build your gradations, even in the smallest places where you may not think that it matters. Learn to distinguish even the slightest change in value, whether in your link or in the design.
There will always be places where there is not enough information about the audience to satisfy your mind and what it is looking for, but if you understand the principles and follow the rules, it will be easier to either fill in for lack of information, or refine and improve what you see.
I hope that you will learn these three rules of light that will allow you to add depth and contour to your drawings, even if you do not see them in the photo or on the subject from which you are drawing. If you are a very experienced or complete beginner, you can study and apply these three simple rules that will add a bright and realistic 3D illusion to your drawings.
Hope this covers this topic!
