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Skillshare

The Illusion of Depth: How to Create Realistic Shadows with Watercolors

via Skillshare

Overview

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Without light, you see nothing. However, with light, you see everything, including the unnoticeable beauty such as shadows! Learn how to add depth into your watercolor paintings by adding realistic shadows with me.

Have you thought about what would happen if there were no light in your paintings? It could be just dark and black without any objects showing, right? What would happen to perspective? Artists have reproduced light’s effects and shadows in their watercolor paintings in order to create the impression of three dimensional objects on two dimensional surfaces in realistic styles. 

Light in art creates the illusion of depth. In order to create depth in your watercolor paintings, catching light and creating shadows in your paintings is essential! Creating different layers of shadows can also help your viewers to visualize the space in your watercolor paintings. You might ask how artists can achieve that effect. The answer is interpreting the light source and playing with shadows.

In This Class You Will Learn

  • The relationship between light and shadows
  • How to observe shadows
  • How to define different layers of shadows
  • Art supplies that you need for this class
  • Compose an interesting painting
  • How to create a single abstract layer of shadows on the door by using bokeh effects. 
  • How to create multi-layers of shadows by combining abstract and object shapes.
  • How to add the details of the wall. 
  • How to paint the main subject (Virginia Creeper) in a realistic way.

There are two types of space that we can create in our paintings; one is called positive space referring to the areas of the work with the main subject and the other is called negative space that is the space around the main subject. In this class, I am going to not only show you how to paint the main subject in a realistic way, but also create negative space by adding shadows in your paintings.

This class is for everyone of all levels in watercolor painting. After this class, you will be able to apply this knowledge and skill to create depth in your other paintings!

Additional Resources:

  • Follow me for my latest paintings on Instagram.
  • Check out my website.
  • Get 15% Off for Art Philosophy watercolor confection sets: when you use my discount code (yincreativestudio15%) to purchase the paints that I use in this class.
  • Get 15% Off for Schimoniart Brushes: when you use my discount code (yincreativestudio15) to purchase the brushes that I use in this class.
  • Winsor & Newton Art Masking Fluid
  • Arches Cold Press Paper

Recommended Class:

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Class Project
  • Observe Shadows
  • Cast Shadows
  • Art Supplies
  • Composition
  • Cast Shadows from the Further Objects
  • Shadows from Closer Objects
  • Shadows from Closer Objects: Adding Depth
  • Details on the Wall
  • Virginia Creeper: Individual Leaf
  • Virginia Creeper: Cast Shadows on Bottom Leaf
  • Virginia Creeper: Branches
  • Virginia Creeper: Painting the Groups
  • Virginia Creeper: Emphasizing the Leaves
  • Virginia Creeper: Cast Shadow
  • Final Thoughts

Taught by

YU-YIN LIN

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