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Lighting is one of the most complex parts of mastering illustration, but it’s also one of the best ways to FLEX on fools.

And cuz it’s critical to me that your art is flex-worthy I’m gonna show you how to nail your lighting from the start.

K, let’s get it!

Keep Light and Darks Separate

“Your darkest lights should still be brighter than your lightest darks.”

But wait…what does that even mean?

Think of values like a scale from 0 to 10

• 0 being dark as possible

• 10 being light as possible

1. Pick a point between 0 and 10 - I like 5 (or 50) for cel shaded stuff

2. Every color you use with a value above your point (50) can only go in your LIGHT areas

3. Every color you use with a value below your point (50) can only go in your DARK areas

Now that you’ve decided what is a “light” and what’s a “dark” in your piece, plan your lighting using a LIGHT and DARK map.

In these 2 distinct LIGHT and DARK areas there is an area where only the “light” values can go (above your point) and an area where only the “dark” values can go (below your point).

• In the black area ONLY use colors that have a 0-5 value

• In the white area ONLY use colors that have a 5-10 value

Let’s compare our piece following this guideline and one not following…

See how the one with distinct values has a much stronger impact?

Keep your lights and darks separate to avoid muddy and washed out results. It’s a sure-fire way to make your art impactful.

Bonus: Commit to More Dynamic Lighting

This one is an extension from picking your light and dark areas.

The standard lighting for most characters is to just add some shade on the bottom or back of forms. It’s simple and reliable, but it rarely leads to memorable art.

To create an image with more B A N G, start to think in distinct and confident light and dark areas.

If you lack confidence with your figures and forms, I’m always willing to help.

Conclusion

Being decisive with your lights and darks (and planning where they go) will create more contrast. And contrast is the super-secret sauce of making art that commands attention.

In a later tutotial, I’ll show you some simple detailing tricks to make your characters sing!

As always, remember to have fun with your art. If it ain’t fun you won’t practice. If you don’t practice, you’ll never get good. And what’s the point if we don’t get good, amirite?

Peace,

Brosatsu

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