How to Draw from Photographs

Showcasing Light Subjects

Light and white objects puzzle many artists, but they can be a real joy to work with once you figure out the right approach. First it’s important to establish that no “white” subject is ever truly white; light shading depicts the gray-toned lights and highlights of even white subjects, which would have no form or dimension without. Even with this gray shading, we can create the illusion of a white object by employing the contrast of a dark background, which simultaneously directs the eye to the lighter object and creates interest. A dark background further helps us define the shape of the object; when we fill in the negative space, the shape of the lighter object appears. I’ll show you how it’s done with a pretty white ...