Drawing Light to Illuminate Your World!

Would you like to know how drawing light on the computer works? This lesson will teach you the basic light drawing techniques that all digital painters must need to know to create details and proper illumination!

To start off, when an illuminating source (the sun, a lamp, or a beacon) hits an object, it highlights texture details in the object.

For example, given a spherical object that has a rough surface, it is how the light hits the object that we know it’s an orange and not a simple ball!

As it hits the orange, it creates texture due to how the light and shadows behave on the orange. Obviously, we will deal with shadow in a bit. But I just would like to focus on the light.

1. Drawing light: why do we do it?

With a pencil, we start with an outline and then we add shadows to it. However, with painting (digital or not), it becomes easier to draw light through negative space instead. Basically, we have to reverse what we are used to!

The reason is that light creates details while the shadows hide details! Plus, it’s easier to draw details from the light illuminating the object than it is to draw the object, and then putting shadows where you think the light does not hit.

Surfaces vary in many different ways. However, it can be divided into two different surfaces: flat surfaces and curved surfaces. When you draw light, you need to keep this in mind.

Round surfaces generally create a good gradient of colors from light to dark. Flat surfaces will give you a constant tone through out the surface. Keep this in mind when you are blocking in form that is either round or flat!

2. Drawing light: the digital approach

The best way to learn how to draw light is to just do it! If you would like, follow along and create a simple digital painting. It doesn't have to be fancy. Just block in some form with good tonal variations to give it some depth!

I recommend painting some details first. Then, using a large round brush, glaze in areas of color around the shapes that you have formed. From there, repaint any shapes that have glazed over too much.

Remember, more saturated colors belong on the foreground while dull colors will push objects into the background!

Since this is just a simple speed painting, it would be best to do these on a new layer. Professional artists will use this approach to get ideas down quickly! Throughout the exercise, don't forget about round and flat surfaces!

3. Drawing light: setting a source

Before we decide to select a light source, you must first duplicate the layer of your speed painting! Trust me: there is a reason why you want to do this!

Now, choose your light source! For simplicity’s sake, I would like to place it on the top left hand corner so we can see how it works. From there, paint rays of light on the duplicated speed painting layer.

You will be switching different size round brushes for the light rays. for sharper rays, use a smaller round brush. At the same time, create a strong ambient lighting around the source by switching to a larger brush and then gently paint around it.

You don’t need to be perfect! The goal is to paint with light rather than adding shadows. As you can see, the light covers up the object in the foreground. So how to we solve that?

 

4. Drawing light: erasing out the details

Remember: you did this on a duplicated speed painting layer! That means the original speed painting layer is at the bottom with all the details!

To filter out the details, what we are going to do is use the eraser tool! Select a chalk brush with hard edges and start to erase out the light covering the foreground in the duplicated layer!

Doing so will reveal the textures of the original painting layer underneath! You can even paint in different tonal values by changing the pressure of your eraser!

After that, you can use the dodge and burn tools to bring out the colors where the light will hit. For example, the tops of the buildings, the water reflections, etc.

As well, don't forget to add additional light around the foreground objects to illuminate the object and make it stand out more! Use your eyedropper tool to sample colors that may work with the composition!

I've done this technique once more on the blue light inside the hallow object! Finally, you can enhance all the colors with the dodge and burn tools!

As you continue to draw light near the opposite end of where the main light source is shining on the object, be sure to gradually fade it in towards where the shadow is the strongest on the sphere.

I hope you enjoyed this lesson on drawing light. Please practice it often as, once again, this is a very common technique that professionals will use often! Keep up the motivation and stay tuned for the next lesson coming your way! Make sure to submit any artworks to this site if you have any!

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