Sketching Light

Following up on the great success of The Moment It Clicks and The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes, legendary magazine photographer Joe McNally takes us on another memorable ride with Sketching Light, another trip into the land of light--but this time running the gamut from small flash to big flash, and everywhere in between. Of course, Joe includes coverage of Nikon Speedlights, but he also covers big flash, as well as "in-between" lights as the Elinchrom Quadra. The exploration of new technology, as well as the explanation of older technology. No matter what equipment Joe uses and discusses, the most important element of Joe's instruction is that it is straightforward, complete, and honest. No secrets are held back, and the principles he talks about apply generally to the shaping and quality of light, not just to an individual model or brand of flash. He tells readers what works and what doesn't via his let's-see-what-happens approach, he shows how he sets up his shots with plentiful sketches and behind-the-scenes production shots, and he does it all with the intelligence, clarity, and wisdom that can only come from shooting in the field for 30 years for the likes of National Geographic, Time, Life, and Sports Illustrated--not to mention the wit and humor of a clearly warped (if gifted) mind.

The Urban Sketching Handbook: Understanding Light is an informative guide to heightening the impact of your artwork by capturing the look and subtleties of light in any scene. In settings ranging from fields and mountains at daybreak to neon cityscapes at midnight, learn how to express light effects through color and value to improve and refine your drawings and paintings. Artist and urban sketcher Katie Woodward offers strategies for: Selectively translating values for maximum effect Using your sketchbook to experiment with the effects of natural as well as artificial light Considering many options for visual solutions through work contributed by experienced urban sketchers Master the art of rendering light with The Urban Sketching Handbook: Understanding Light as your guide. The Urban Sketching Handbook series offers location artists expert instruction on creative techniques, on-location tips and advice, and an abundance of visual inspiration. These handy references come in a compact, easy-to-carry format—perfect to toss in your backpack or artist’s tote.

Drawing is not a talent, it's a skill anyone can learn. This is the philosophy of drawing instructor Brent Eviston based on his more than twenty years of teaching. He has tested numerous types of drawing instruction from centuries old classical techniques to contemporary practices and designed an approach that combines tried and true techniques with innovative methods of his own. Now, he shares his secrets with this book that provides the most accessible, streamlined, and effective methods for learning to draw.

Taking the reader through the entire process, beginning with the most basic skills to more advanced such as volumetric drawing, shading, and figure sketching, this book contains numerous projects and guidance on what and how to practice. It also features instructional images and diagrams as well as finished drawings. With this book and a dedication to practice, anyone can learn to draw!

Without shading, even a beautiful drawing can appear flat. But artists can learn to add dimension to their work with these techniques, illustrations, and exercises that show how to achieve effects with light and shadow.

Introductory guide offers clear, concise instruction on composition, outline, proportion, perspective, light and shade, more. Its 66 illustrations encompass numerous subjects — mainly architectural, but also people, animals, and landscapes — and a variety of techniques.

(back cover) Titles in Barron's Drawing Academy series guide beginning students through a detailed training course in the art of drawing. The books open with basic instruction, then proceed to analyze the details that make up a successfully executed drawing. Drawing Academy titles make fine self-instruction manuals and can also serve as textbooks in formal art classes. LEARNING BY DOING Constant practice teaches you to analyze the characteristics and understand the difficulties you must overcome in developing techniques to produce light and shadow effects. Exercises will teach you mastery of strokes, shadings, and tonal ranges. ANALYSIS It is not enough to practice. You must also learn to see. The Analysis Section following each exercise shows how professional artists resolve difficulties and achieve desired graphic effects in their drawings. You'll learn to profit from others' achievements and incorporate some of their solutions and effects into your own work. SKETCHBOOK A section at the end of each chapter is the sketchbook section. It allows you to analyze the difficulties you encountered and isolate different parts of your overall composition to measure your success in attempting light and shadow effects, tone-building processes, applying tonal scales, and fully developing your draftsman's skills. Available titles in Drawing Academy Series: The Basics of Drawing Line and Shading in Drawing Light and Shadow in Drawing

Discover simple and effective techniques that will infuse your watercolor paintings with stunning highlights and vivid depths, all demonstrated in clear step-by-step exercises. Inside you will learn how to: Create paintings brimming with color using transparent layering techniques Innovate with masking materials to create crisp edges and eye-catching light effects Use tone and contrast to bring your paintings to life Packed with practical information for using color and light, Paint Watercolors that Dance with Light will transform your art.