Light behavior
Use direction, falloff, source size, and secondary light to show how light behaves across a scene.
What it is
Light travels through space in predictable ways. You assess its direction, distance, source size, and the surfaces it reaches.
Choose a main light direction and apply its falloff consistently. A nearby lamp produces sharper contrast and faster value changes than a distant window. This applies to characters, props, backgrounds, and details.
Separate direct light, diffuse or ambient fill, environmental light from the sky or walls, and light reflected between surfaces. Track where light is limited, including ambient occlusion, the dark areas in corners and creases.
Why it matters
Light behavior keeps value, edge, and secondary-light decisions consistent across the scene. Weak control can produce unclear light direction, arbitrary highlights, flattened forms, or objects that appear disconnected from their environment.
You can check it when
- ✓Identify the main light, including an off-frame source, and explain how its distance and strength affect contrast and brightness.
- ✓Keep light-to-shadow edges consistently sharp or soft within a setup based on the source size.
- ✓Point out where direct, ambient, and environmental light contribute in a finished painting.
- ✓Show bounce light and ambient occlusion in contact areas and creases without obscuring form with muddy midtones.
Sub-skills
- Direction and falloff
- Source size → hard vs. soft light
- Direct, diffuse, ambient, and sky light
- Bounce/reflected light and ambient occlusion