Uploaded April 2014 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Ever felt frustrated having worked so hard on a painting -- only to find it still looks 'flat'?
willkempartschool.com/how-to-acrylic-paint-light-and-shade-part-3
Is it the proportions? The perspective? Perhaps the composition?
Whilst these all play an integral part, the most effective method of making your drawings appear three dimensional, is understanding how light logic works.
If line drawing creates the proportions, handling of tone creates the form.
The theory seems simple and the changes in technique small, but applying the principles of how tone, light and shade work, will improve the illusion of form in every drawing you do -- regardless of the subject.
And the exciting part about it is, once you 'get' lighting, the principles never change.
In Part 1 of this 2 Part painting video demonstration we look at the theory, the drawing and then paint a simple form focusing on shadow, light and edges.
You might find it isn't your drawing technique that's wrong, but your lighting...
Ever felt frustrated having worked so hard on a painting -- only to find it still looks 'flat'?
willkempartschool.com/how-to-acrylic-paint-light-and-shade-part-3
Is it the proportions? The perspective? Perhaps the composition?
Whilst these all play an integral part, the most effective method of making your drawings appear three dimensional, is understanding how light logic works.
If line drawing creates the proportions, handling of tone creates the form.
The theory seems simple and the changes in technique small, but applying the principles of how tone, light and shade work, will improve the illusion of form in every drawing you do -- regardless of the subject.
And the exciting part about it is, once you 'get' lighting, the principles never change.
In Part 1 of this 2 Part painting video demonstration we look at the theory, the drawing and then paint a simple form focusing on shadow, light and edges.
You might find it isn't your drawing technique that's wrong, but your lighting...
