Inspired by the Light

Use light to create emphasis in a composition.

• Your subject might be a landscape, a portrait, or a still life. 
• Make a series of sketches to work out your ideas.
• Remember that highlights and shadows vary depending on where the light source is located.
• Experiment with a variety of media.
• Don’t be afraid to make bold choices. Highlights and shadows can create drama, add emphasis, and set the mood.

• Work in pencil or pen.
• Leave the brightest highlights white. Build the composition by adding progressively darker layers. The darkest shadows in the scene should be the densest areas of pen or pencil marks. 

Before you begin, check out these examples by the students at South Kamloops Secondary School in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada!

Prepared by: Lisa Yamaoka, South Kamloops Secondary School, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada