A Theory of Light and Shade ~Chiaroscuro~

Value Value is the term used to describe light, gray, and dark tones. The contrast between light and dark is one of the most expressive and important means of composition. Value contrast can be encountered in both colorful and non-colorful renderings. All neutral tones from white, black and all the gray tones between are called achromatic, meaning having no color. All tones that have some color are call chromatic. When investigating art in all its components, you must consider the relationship of value to other art elements, color, line texture and shape. All these elements must exhibit some value contrast in order to remain visible.

Value Scale & Figure-Ground Figure-Ground is the condition in which backgrounds tone or hue changes the visual impact of the figure resting on it. The same hue or value appears to be a different depending upon the contrast of tone or hue of the background upon which it is placed. Which means, when the same medium toned figure is placed on varied light and dark backgrounds, it will be perceived to be as a different value.

Let’s see what we just talked about.

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Chiaroscuro Value describes volume and depth of space in Europe artists of the Renaissance were concerned with showing depth and volume in opposition to the artists of the Middle or “Dark Ages.” Men of the Renaissance considered their time period to be the Age of Reason and rebirth of artistic and mathematical achievements. >>>

Chiaroscuro Renaissance artists manufactured the term “Chiaroscuro” to describe how light and dark can imply depth and volume. The word Chiaroscuro is a combination of two Italian words that mean light(chiaro: clear light) and dark(oscuro: obscure, dark). Atmospheric or Ariel perspective was one of the artistic strategies used in the study of Chiaroscuro during the Renaissance.

Illusion of Creating Intuitive Space One of the most used and useful applications of value is creating the illusion of volume and mass on a two dimensional surface. When a mass is exposed to light, a solid object will receive more light from one side than another when that side is closer to the light source. A spherical surface demonstrates this as an even flow tone from light to dark. A cast shadow is created when the source of light is obstructed by the sphere. An angular surface shows sudden contrast of light and dark.

“Intuitive space” is merely a trick the artist uses to create depth on a two dimensional surface. It is sensed or “felt” on a two dimensional plane. Intuitive methods of space control include overlapping, transparency, and other applications of spatial proportion and “Light Logic”.

Light Logic! Light logic and the rendering of three dimensional objects onto a two dimensional surface will make your art more believable when you keep these basics in mind. ＼( ˚ ▽ ˚ ) /

What do we need to know about Light Logic? Can you answer: Where are the light values of an object? Where are the dark values of an object? Where is the cast shadow of an object? To answer these questions correctly, we need to know about Light Source, Shadow, Value, Contrast, and Texture.

Light Source A light projected onto an object or figure creates lights, darks, and cast shadows. Your source of light may be the sun, the moon, a light through a window or an artificial light. Where is our light source located at?

Shadow There are different kinds of shadows that occur when one light shines on an object, a cast shadow, a form shadow, and a core shadow. Cast shadow: The dark area on an adjacent surface where the light is blocked by the solid object. Form shadow: A form shadow is the less defined dark side on an object not facing the light source. Form shadows are subtle shadows, but they are essential for creating the illusion of volume, mass and depth. Core Shadow: The edge where the light is blocked from the light source is the darkest value on the dark side. The core or darkest value blends into the middle tones from the shadow edge on round subjects.

Don’t forget the Reflected Light! Reflected light: If the object being rendered is sitting on a white table, the light from the table reflects back onto the object and makes the shadow side lighter. If the object of the drawing is resting by something black or dark, the middle values will become a dark reflection. The concept also holds true when the object of the drawing is sitting on a colored surface.

Value Contrast Contrast can be used to make your drawings more three-dimensional by accentuating the light and shadows. By using extremes in Values (more light and dark values than middle values) you create a high-contrast drawing. For a really powerful, strong, and dynamic drawing, you can draw very dark shading right next to the light areas.

Value Contrast!!! Objects have an allover light, medium or dark quality. To make your representation more believable, you should take into consideration the light or dark value of each object. Before you render details, block in the value characteristics of each object. Again, objects have LIGHT, MEDIUM, or DARK VALUES.

-Remember- Your drawings can appear flat rather than three-dimensional when you use too little contrast in values. Don’t forget about the white rabbit. Most of the shading is very light, but the drawing becomes more powerful if you use a little dark shading in a few selective areas, such as the pupils of the eyes and the shadows.

Which one looks more 3-dimensional? Can you see the difference between low-contrast and high-contrast drawing?

Let’s Go Back to Our Questions. Where are the light values? Look for the lightest areas on the object. The very brightest of the lightest values are called highlights. Where are the dark values? Dark values often reveal the sections of the object that are in shadow. By locating shadows, you can usually identify the light source. Where is the cast shadow? The section of the cast shadow closest to the object is usually the darkest value in a drawing. By locating an object's cast shadow, you can easily discover the direction from which the light source originates.

Again! High contrast makes a drawing appear more three-dimensional. Seeing values is key to drawing in the third dimension. Squinting helps you screen out details and see simple values and shapes. When you can see the shapes created by different values, you can draw your subject more accurately.