Optional Question: Lighting

Understanding Lighting in Artwork

Lighting in art refers to how light is represented, and how it interacts with objects, spaces, and figures in the piece.
Light is a vital aspect that can dramatically impact the mood, tone, and interpretation of an artwork.
It can create depth and perspective, help to identify the time of day, and contribute to the overall sense of realism or abstraction.

Tenebrism: An extreme form of chiaroscuro, where most of the figure is dark with dramatically illuminated areas for emphasis.
Chiaroscuro: This technique uses strong contrasts between dark and light areas to create depth and volume.
Impasto: This technique uses thickly layered paint that can catch more light, creating a significant play of light and shadow.
Hatching and Cross-Hatching: Used in drawing and printmaking to suggest light and shadow.

Lighting can help create a strong focal point. Bright areas naturally draw the eye and can serve to highlight important elements.
It can also help manage the viewer’s gaze around the artwork, guiding it from one area to another through strategic placement of light and shadows.
Lighting can contribute to the overall balance and harmony of the piece through the distribution of light and dark areas.

In Portraiture, lighting is used to highlight the face/features and to create a mood or atmosphere.
In Landscape Art, lighting can suggest the time of day, season, and weather, and give depth and realism to the scene.
In Still Life, lighting brings out the textures and details of the objects, and creates an interplay of light and shadow.
In Abstract Art, lighting can create contrast, draw focus, and contribute to the overall dynamic of the composition.

Good use of lighting can add realism to a piece or dramatise a scene, contributing to its overall impact.
It should be consistent and follow a logical source, unless intentionally manipulated for stylistic purposes.
The use of lighting in the artwork should serve its purpose, enhancing the theme or concept and not overwhelming other aspects of the piece.
Consider the emotional or conceptual role of light in the artwork, it can often say as much about the piece as the subject itself.