RENAISSANCE Drawing

The main principle that distinguishes Old Master works from contemporary realism is the use of value and shadow to create an illusion of a three-dimensional form on a two-dimensional surface. The principle, which became known as chiaroscuro, an Italian term meaning “light-dark”, is actually surprisingly simple. When illuminated properly, form divides into two major masses of value: light and shadow. If you learn to replicate the exact shapes of both light and shadow, and pay particular attention to the transitions between them, you will be able to capture a likeness and draw anything realistically. Since its introduction in the 15th century, this approach has been successfully practised by many artists that we admire today.

HOW DO I LIGHT MY SUBJECT?

To achieve the beautiful soft transitions