Light and Shade

One of the goals I always aim for in my art is to create interest and drama and one of the best ways to do this is to manipulate light and shade. As a wildlife and portrait artist I rely on references: photographs of the animals and people I draw or paint. They aren’t always the best photos but an understanding of how light works can lead to great art. One of the reasons I keep thousands of my own photos on my computer is that there might be that perfect one, although there might also be that one animal in a perfect position but the lighting is dull and boring. Chances are, with all my other photos, I will be able to find another with better lighting and then I can use both references to get exactly what I want. Even if I don’t have