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How do we create the illusion of 3-dimensional form on a 2-dimensional surface?
When creating the illusion of something being 3-dimensional we have to play with the light and dark values of the image. We do that with shading.
If we take a ball and add a light source on one side. That will create a bright spot on the ball and darker areas. It will get darker along the ball as we move farther away from the light source. Using shading we can replicate that on a 2-dimensional surface.
Shading is the technique of adding layers of marks to create dark areas that trick you eye into thinking that there is less light in that space. The closer together or more overlapped the marks are the darker the shading will appear.
Hatching: is the use of short parallel lines which, depending how close together they are, create darker areas on the surface of the form.
Crosshatching: is the use of short lines that cross over each other, depending how dense they are, will create darker areas on the form.
Stippling: is the use of layers of dots, depending how dense they are, will create darker areas on the form.
Blending: takes advantage of the drawing mediums ability to smudge. This technique will create shades by smudging the drawing medium with a smudge stick, finger, cotton swab or other soft material to create a gradation of dark to light areas.
The Artist’s Sister with Candle, Adolph Von Menzel, 1843. Candlelight. Is it convincing?
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Rouen Cathedral, Monet, 1894, (French). The same cathedral painted at different times of day. Can you guess when each picture is painted? How does the light from the sun change the colors?
Rouen Cathedral, Monet, 1894, (French).
Sybil from Sistine Ceiling, Michelangelo, 1508, (Italian). Light creates mass (3D).
Clearwater floating, Chakta Aolau, 1991, (Japan). Light as design.
Hypostyle Hall, Temple of Amun Karnak, 1530 BC, (Egyptian). Really interesting use of light. The columns near the door (and light source) are opened flowers and they close as they get further in the building (toward the darkest part). Light is an essential part of the work.
Reichstag (parliament building), Berlin, Norman Foster, (1999). Everything reflects light. Symbolic of the goal of transparency in government.
Sainte Chapelle, 1243, (French). Light as a theological symbol for the Spirit (St. Augustine) is at its height as the whole chapel is almost entirely stained glass windows – entirely light – entirely Spirit.
Dome of the Rock, 1818 restored. Windows around base of the dome make the dome “float” in light.
Guggenheim Museum, Bilboa, 1997. Most effective at night where light becomes an integral part of the building.
Pantheon, Giovanni Paolo Panini, 1734, (Italian). The hole in the dome is called an “oculous” or “eye.” It acts like a spotlight in the building, moving as the sun moves and points out the different sculptures in the niches that around the walls.
Execution of Lady Jane Grey, Delaroche, 1834, (French). Where is the light coming from? A Window? From Jane?
Repentant Magdalen, de la Tour, 1635, (French). What is the light source? Effect?
Trellis, Gierymski, 1882, (Polish). Intricate replication of the effects of light.
Stempozan Harbour, Gakutei, 1830. What time of day is it?
Judith and Halofernes, Gentileschi, 1625, (Italian). Where is the light coming from? Creates drama, space. Chiaroscuro (light/dark).
The Red Buoy St. Tropez, Signac, 1895, (French). What time of day and what kind of light?
Meo Children, Nuntawan Silpngamlert, 1992, (Thailand). Light as part of the design.
Woman with Parosol, Monet, 1875. What time of day and what kind of light?
New Zealand Rip Curl Heli Challenge, 1991. Light as part of the design.
Nativity, Carl Bloch, 1868, (Danish). As if light emanates from the baby Jesus.
Kitchen Garden, Larsson, (Swedish), 1883. What time of day and what kind of light?
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Rainy Weather, Paris, Gustave Caillebotte, 1877. What time of day and what kind of light?
San Marco, Renoir, 1881, (French). What time of day? What is the weather like?
Crackers in Bed, Norman Rockwell, 1921. What time of day outside? What is the light source?
Sailboat morning and Afternoon, Yoshida Hiroshi, 1926, (Japan). What times of day? How do the colors change?
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