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medli20 β Notes on lighting and shading
Published: 2013-01-23 00:57:13 +0000 UTC; Views: 13478; Favourites: 987; Downloads: 176
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Description
~x666NiGhTmArE666x sent me a note asking me for help on lighting and shading. Since light logic isn't a topic that I can properly discuss without the aid of visual media, I figured I'd compile whatever came to mind in this format. This is by no means an in-depth tutorial on how to do things correctly, so please do not take it too seriously. I'm still learning a lot about these things myself, so chances are I've probably made some mistakes here and there.These are just some of the basics I've picked up from experimentation, observation, and sitting in class. I haven't even touched some topics like different materials or colored lighting because I wanted to keep this short and sweet. I hope somebody will find this useful, though.
Wall-eyed shady face man was referenced from this picture: [link] ...even though it ended up looking nothing like David Tennant lol
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Comments: 55
Thank you very much for this tutorial, you wrote necessary thoughts and illustrated it very well
Your shading skills here are so neat! *w*
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thank you so much, this will help with my next picture
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Thanks, and no problem!
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I'm glad you found it to be helpful
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I find everything to be helpful XD
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Why does the light reflect where the shadow is?
It confuses me.
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The physics of light dictate that light will bounce off nearly any surface. We use this principle in order to see-- our eyes pick up light that has been bounced off of other objects. Because of this, light bounced off from a surface such as a tabletop will act as a secondary light source of sorts, albeit a much weaker one than the primary light source. It's easier to see this in action with a more reflective surface. Try putting a ball on a mirror and you'll see that the underside will be illuminated.
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Still, the light reflection seems to be coming from the shadow of the ball. Does this have to do with
the ball's reflection taking its shape, as you'd see on a metal teapot?
If so, why doesn't it take upon the rest of the ball?
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The light doesn't reflect FROM the shadow itself, if that's what you're asking. (well I suppose it technically does, which is why it's visible, but it's to a much lesser degree.) The light bounces off the surface of the table and shines back on the ball, which is what you're seeing there.
It has to do with the angle of the surface that the light is bouncing off of in relation to the ball, the shape of the ball itself, and the fact that it's just easier to notice light on a surface that would otherwise be cast in shadow, due to the contrast.
To further illustrate this, take a look at these photos: [link] [link] (please excuse the quality)
Take a good look at the bottom 1/3rd of the tape dispenser, particularly where it curves. The reflected light there is illuminated because the bottom part is facing the surface it's sitting on in the most direct fashion. It's easier to see the degree of the reflected light in the first photo because it's a somewhat glossy surface. (my old DS) The second photo helps illustrate that reflected light can carry the color of the surface it's sitting on, hence the orange hue of the reflected light.
I'm not very good at explaining things, but I hope this clears some things up.
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Yeah, I think that pretty much sums up the question I asked.
The light reflected is "wrapped" around the shape.
Since it's wrapped the distance between both ends of the "rope" is lessened, giving the effect of a face being
super thin on a metal pole, for example, right?
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Oh, also, just wondering:
Do the cast shadow and core shadow have a difference, when not counting that one is cast by something while the other is on something and is not cast by another?
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I'll definitely make sure my sister sees this; As she could use some help on lighting and shading.
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Very helpful for future reference (I'm so bad at shadows and lighting)! I'll make sure to use it wisely!
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Useful, especially applied to faces. I haven't seen a tut like this before. Thank you!
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AGGUGUGUAHAH ;A;
I DIED when I saw this was David Tennant
This is a fantastic tutorial, I'll be sure to use it!
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This is cool! However there's a typo at the end; "gospel" is spelled "gopel" here, just saying
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Thank you,this was very helpful!~ c:
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David Tennant? WHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
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Aye, now only if I could learn a thing or two about background perspective with people, still having a hard time creating good "vanishing points" along horizontal/vertical lines.
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i always have trouble shading this helped me; its easier drawn than said i do that too XD your not alone
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Thanks a lot for this, itΒ΄s basic and so well explained.
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very nice and neatly explained tutorial!
I bet this would help heaps of people, including myself
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It's going to eat your soul.
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Thanks, I'm glad you think so!
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So useful! 8D And right after I got critiques giving me tips about shading as well! >u< The advice never stops!
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I'm glad you were able to find this useful!
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this is pretty helpful, i'm seeing ways to shade i've never even thought of before haha.
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I'm glad you found it useful!
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Somehow I recognized that face as David Tennant anyway. XD;; I was like, "that face looks like David Tennant, but it's probably just my mind playing tricks on me" and then I read your description and...yeah. XD I guess I'm just good at recognizing his face, lol.
But yes, this is very helpful~! o3o
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Ahaha I'm glad the face was somewhat recognizable and that this was helpful!
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buh-whuh? But your understanding of light logic is already so much better than mine! 
You're welcome anyway?
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xD I'm really bad at human face lighting lmao so this is super helpful!
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Well I'm glad you found it to be helpful at least!
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This is really good, I will try to learn from this >w<
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