Mike Sibley

Image posted Jul.16th, 2012, viewed 125 times

CAST SHADOWS assistance

See the shadow assistance image above:

The more contrast you can get into a drawing, the more you emphasise the three-dimensional form, and you can use cast shadows in the Barn Wall drawing to good effect when signalling how each leaf bends in relation to the wall (see illustration).

For example:
--If a leaf does NOT touch its own shadow it is standing parallel with and away from the wood (LEFT). This increases the depth in the drawing.

--If a leaf touches its own shadow, that leaf MUST be touching the surface that the shadow is on. This (CENTRE) leaf tip touches its own shadow so it must be curving back to touch the wood.

--If a leaf touches its own shadow at ONE PART ONLY, that leaf (RIGHT) MUST be curving back to touch the wood and then curving away again.

This a previous student's work and I've removed all the white content from the wood - much the same as if they had layered all the wood with a harder grade - which increases the brightness of the leaves and make them stand out more.