Are You Making This Common Lighting Mistake?

Light and shadow define form but one of the most common mistakes artists make is trying to "fix" it after the fact. Getting them right from the start makes everything much easier. Here's a quick tip from this month's Discord Light and Shadow Tutorial:

Start with the extremes!

Before adding any details or blending, identify the lightest light and the darkest shadow in your subject. Think of them as anchors!

The lightest areas show where light hits directly.

The darkest areas show where the light is completely blocked.

By clearly separating the light and shadow shapes, the form and depth of your subject become instantly readable, even before adding midtones or texture. After establishing these two areas, paint the midtone. You might be tempted to use multiple values for each group (light, shadow, midtone), but limit yourself to just one value per group.

Most of the work in a greyscale portrait happens at the very beginning. Take your time to paint your shapes cleanly and accurately from the start. Rushing through these early stages often leads to frustration later, as you'll have to spend more time fixing issues that could have avoided.

If you want to see how to build the rest of the painting, including a PDF HW worksheet, and an extra full portrait walkthrough (with commentary focused on lighting),

👉 Watch the full Light and Shadow Tutorial here!

Good luck everyone!

Majestics0ck