Hello,

 

In this tutorial you will learn the basics of light and how to apply lights and shadows produced by sunlight at different times of the day.

Light Reflection

How light reflection works

 

When light shines on an opaque object, a shadow casts on the opposite side of the light source. With transparent objects, the shadows are reversed and cast in the direction of the light source.

Plastic trasparent glass:

 

(1) We start by drawing a glass, with the shape we like best. Paint the glass with a base colour. Rememeber, everything will be worked in different layers. Using G-Pen draw black and bluish gray lines, which will be blended using Smooth Watercolor. Proceed by adhering the reflected shadow of the glass drawing two perpendicular lines. (2) With a more light blue tone and using Transparent Watercolor we paint the reflections. Continue with the perpendicular lines, blend them following the shape of the glass, add another bluish color and do the same. (3) With G-Pen paint the light, use a white color and blend it slightly with Smooth Watercolor.

If you are interested in knowing more about how to draw transparent objects or objects that reflect light, I recommend you to read this tutorial about water and reflection.

Sunlight

Using multiply to intensify the shadow or light

 

Create a new layer above the shadow layer, change its properties to multiply. Paint the new layer with the colour. To paint the shadow set this multiply layer into "Clip to Layer Below".

Sunlight at different times of the day.

 

At dawn, the light is cooler since the sun is not at its highest point. At noon the light is more powerful. At sunset the light is more reddish or orange.

Afternoon

 

(1) Set the base colours of the drawing (2) Decide where the light comes from and paint the shadows.

(3) Create a new layer, change its properties to multiply, using Opaque Watercolor paint over the shadow layer (4) Create another layer, on top of all the others, change its properties to multiply. Using a watercolor brush, we paint over the drawing, reinforcing the shadow and thus intensifying the light. If we want the light to be brighter, create a new layer and change its properties to Glow Dodge, subtly with Brush add the light.

If you want, you can change the colours of the lineart.

Done.

Light and Shadow

Day

 

(1) Set the base colours of the drawing (2) Decide where the light comes from and paint the shadows.

(3) We create a new layer, we change its properties to multiply, with Opaque Watercolor we paint the shadow, as the sun is at its highest point, the roofed areas will be dark. (4) Create a new lawyer, change its property to Add Dodge, add the light.

(5) Add some details on the wood and the shadow produced by the body. (6) Add the necessary details.

Done

 

I hope this tutorial has been useful and you have learned how to paint light coming from the sun.

 

See ya.