Light and Shade continued

Shadows from the Point of Projection – Shadows broaden if there are reflected lights that may cause multiplication of the shadows; thus, as in the illustration the shadows broaden as they leave the spouts. This is owing to the presence of reflected light. Reflected lights are those which are thrown from one object to another, each object in turn reflecting light which, coming in contact with still another object, causes the latter to throw a shadow.

It will be enough to lay down a few condensed rules for ordinary use in the study of light and shade.

Intercepted rays of light cause shadows.

The light may be direct from the sun, candle, lamp or any glowing substance. These throw strongly defined shadows.

Or the light may be caused by diffused or reflected rays. Diffused lights are such as are given by a north window without the presence of sunshine, by the lights we receive on a cloudy or misty day. These lights cast soft and more or less undefined shadows.

Reflected Light – A reflected light is cast into a room by an outside wall opposite a window, and is usually a subdued 1ight. The reflected light cast by a mirror should not strictly be considered as a reflected light, for the rays are almost as strong as the source itself. The side of a cloud in the east will, at sunset, cast a reflected light on the earth. In the same manner will the side of a piece of chalk facing the window cast a reflected light on an object facing opposite the window light, but so placed as to be within the rays of the bit of chalk. The general effect is the same, be the scale great or small.

Shadows Have No Substance – An object seen through a shadow, but beyond its area, is seen as plainly as if the shadow were not there. A shadow is not a dark object in itself. If an object comes within the scope of a shadow thrown by another object it will receive that shadow, but if it is beyond the shadow, although within the direct line cast by the shadow it wilJ not be affected.

Shadows are invisible unless they have some plane or object upon which to fall.

In landscape work one is apt to forget the direction from which the light comes.

Density of Atmosphere Renders Distant Objects Less Distinct – For that reason the objects nearest to the eye should be drawn with strong lines and tones to indicate their nearness. Therefore, subdue the distant tints and intensify those appearing in the foreground.

Direction of Outlines – As a general rule, any object with a decided form should have shading to correspond with the direction of outlines or to the general shape of the object itself; thus, curved objects may be drawn with curved lines, the sweep of the curve corresponding somewhat closely to the form of the object. When these curved lines cannot be conveniently formed with one stroke the adjoined or overlapping should be as imperceptible as possible.