Value is so important in the creation of art, that a special term has been created to describe the use of light and dark in a piece if art.

Chi- a – ro- scu -ro

Is the use of strong contrasts between light and dark.
These bold contrasts affect the whole composition.
This approach was widely used by Renaissance and Baroque artists..

It looks like there is only one , but very strong light source that creates very dark shadows.
The light itself molds the objects and brings them to life.
It makes the scene appear very dramatic and emotional. So, when you want to add drama to your art – add value contrast.

It describes a method to achieve an appearance of volume in modeling three-dimensional objects and figures.

In this method, if light is coming in from one predetermined direction,
then light and shadow will conform to a set of rules.

Is the use of strong contrasts between light and dark.

These bold contrasts affect the whole composition.

This approach was widely used by Renaissance and Baroque artists..

It looks like there is only one , but very strong light source that creates very dark shadows.

The light itself molds the objects and brings them to life. It makes the scene appear very dramatic and emotional.

So, when you want to add drama to your art – add value contrast.

Chiaroscuro, is also a technical term

It describes a method to achieve an appearance of volume in modeling three-dimensional objects and figures.

In this method, if light is coming in from one predetermined direction, then light and shadow will conform to a set of rules.

These rules can be applied to any object no matter how simple or complex it is.

Let’s take a look at this sphere.

When you think about it – the order of tonal values is very logical.
It is based on how much light the surface receives and reflects.

There are 2 distinctive sides to an object with 1 light source:
One side, that is exposed to light and thus receives more light – is the light side

The opposite side – is the dark side – it does not receive any direct light from the source.
Always keep values on the light side lighter than values on the dark side.

There are 2 kinds of shadows that occur when light shines on an object:

Form shadow is an area of the object that does not get any direct light.

Form shadow starts with a shadow core.
It is the darkest part of the shadow.
It does not get any direct light, but also lacks any reflected light.

The shape of a core shadow determines the appearance of the object.

A cast shadow is created when the light source is obstructed by the object and casts a shadow onto the surface..
Cast shadow is normally darker next to the object.

Between form shadow and cast shadow – the cast shadow is usually darker in value.

Here is the value order that is created by a light source, also called Chiaroscuro:

• Highlight
• Light and half-tone
• Form Shadow
• Reflected light
• Cast shadow

Let’s see how the chiaroscuro rule works in real life:

When light hits an object – it illuminates some of its sides to various degrees, based on the side’s position to the light source,

And if that light is blocked – then the shadows are created

As light reaches the side that is facing the light source – it makes this side lit the most.

The brightest area of the light side is the one that receives the most of the direct light and it is called a highlight.

As the surface curves, the light reaches it at an angle – so these parts get only a portion of that light.

These areas are called light or halftone.

Some areas don’t get any direct light.
So they have nothing to reflect.

That would be our form shadow.

The darkest area of the form shadow – the core shadow – is right where the form turns away from the light source.

– areas of biggest contrast between light and dark.
– Core shadow determines the appearance of the object. Everything on the other side of the core shadow is darker than anything on the lit side.

Every object exists in a some kind of setting or environment.

There are other objects around or next to it.

As the light reaches the surroundings – it bounces off the surfaces and now even the darkest side does get some light.

It is called reflected light.

Some light gets blocked by the object. — The object creates – or casts a shadow on the table surface.

In this case – the cast shadow is formed by the edges of the bottle, where half-tone turns into shadow..

Cast shadow is always darker next to the object.

So here are the main elements of Chiaroscuro shading pattern:

• Center light or highlight
• Halftone light
• Shadow with a shadow core
• Reflected light
• Cast shadow

You can break these elements into more specific parts, but as long as you remember these five – you can apply that to any shading you do.

Let’s check out how we can apply the Chiaroscuro pattern to basic geometric forms:

If you take a look at a cube when it’s lit with a single light source – you will see how light and shadow mold the form.

The side that faces the light source directly – is the lightest.
That’s our highlight value..

The side that is lit at an angle – is a little darker, because it receives less light.
This is your light to halftone value.

The side that does not receive any light from the source is the darkest. That is your shadow side.

The darkest part of it – is the core shadow that is defining the edges of the side.

We do get some reflected light, of course.

And the cast shadow … that is formed by the cube’s sides that block the light.

Highlight – the closest side that faces the light source

Light – the light side that gets plenty of light
Shadow – the side with no direct light. The darkest areas are next to the edges and the front corner.
To make the front corner appear even closer – increase the contrast.

Reflected light – we get the bounced light from the table

Cast shadow – The shape of the cast shadow depends on the shape of the object casting it and how close the light source is to the object.
So in this case – it looks something like that.

Sphere is a perfect object to see how chiaroscuro value pattern works.

To make this circle look like a solid ball, we need to apply value in a specific order.

Highlight is the lightest value of an object. This is where direct light hits the surface.

Light – as the surface curves, it does not get as much light, so value becomes slightly darker. And as it continues to curve away from the light source – less and less light hits that surface – and light value becomes halftone….

Until… no direct light reaches the surface.

Shadow – once the surface curves away from the light source, it does not receive any direct light.
The darkest part of the shadow is a Shadow Core. It defines the form of an object.
Reflected light
As the surface curves further away from the source – the shadow starts to get some indirect light that is reflected from the surroundings.
So here is the area where reflected light hits the sphere the most.

Cast (or drop) shadow

When the source of light is blocked by an object it casts a shadow.
The length and shape of the cast shadow depends on the placement of the light source and the form of the object
Cast shadow is always darker next to the object.

Gradual value change creates an illusion of roundness.

As light lights a side of a sphere – it is distributed over the surface that is facing the source.

Highlight is the lightest area of the sphere that gets a direct light.
As the surface curves – it gets less and less light – that is transitioning into halftones.
One the surface is past the turn – and not getting any direct light – a core shadow is formed. This side of the sphere is in a shade.
As it gets closer to the table surface – we get some light that is bouncing off the table surface. That’s why the value gets lighter again due to the reflected light.
Cast shadow is formed by blocking the light source by the ball.

Start with light and dark
Mark the core of the shadow
Shade the shadows.
Everything on the light side will be lighter than anything on the dark side.

We use the exact same pattern for a cylinder
We just change the shapes of the value elements:

Here is a side that gets the most light.
If we low the light source – the most lit area would be here.
But the order of the values remains the same.

Highlight
Curves into halftones
Until the surface curves away from the source and forms a core shadow.
Some reflected light

And the cast shadow.

Shading a cylinder is similar to the cone approach.
The difference is that each area is a rectangular area.
Highlight
Light and halftone
Foreshadow
Shadow
Reflected light
Cast shadow.

Cone shading is almost the same.
The only difference is the shape of the shading areas.
Highlight
Light and halftone
Core shadow and shadow
reflected light
And a cast shadow.

Light side:
The lightest part of a cone – is this triangular area that gets most of the direct light, Here is our highlight.

As the surface curves – we see light and half tone. They are triangular areas as well.
Dark side:
Core shadow, and shadow –
Then transition to the reflected light area.

Here is an example of how an object changes appearance if we modify the core shadow.
By making the contrast really sharp between light and shadow – we can create an edge.
Now, instead a round surface, we have a pyramid with well defined sides and corners.

The pattern stays the same
the lightest area is the closest to the light source and is facing it directly .
Area further from the source gets less light and is slightly darker.

This side does not get any direct light, but gets plenty of reflected.

Areas of high contrast in value create an illusion of sides and corners in an object.
To bring a specific corner closer – you can increase contrast of the sides values, to make it appear further – decrease the contrast.

Please note that all objects that you see around you do not have an outline. We see them by defined edges – contrasts between lights and darks.

So even if you start with a linear drawing, when you shade – you incorporate the outline into the shading.

Once you know the chiaroscuro pattern and understand the logic behind it – you will be able to apply it to any complex form.