Artist insight
USE LIGHT & SHADE TO BEST EFFECT
Renowned illustrator Chris Legaspi reveals how he establishes the composition and brings his figurative art to life using light and shadow
Artist PROFILE
Chris Legaspi
LOCATION: US
Chris is a poster artist for Hollywood films, author and NMA instructor. He’s obsessed with the figure, and wants to restore beauty in the world. www.drawwithchris.com
Designing with light and shadow is one of the most powerful tools I use to bring my figures to life. It’s more than just copying what I see. I use light and shadow to shape the form, guide the viewer’s eye, and create mood and feeling. When used with purpose, light and shadow also help design the composition by adding structure, movement and clarity to the drawing.
There are two aspects to the process of designing light. First, I take a moment to observe quietly and with purpose. I look at the light, the pose, the background and anything else that sparks an idea or inspires me. Then, once I have a clear picture in my mind, I move on to the next phase: crafting and shading.
Shading is not just about copying values. It’s about showing form, leading the eye and telling a story. Whether I’m drawing from life, a photo or imagination, I’m always thinking about how my values, shapes and shading techniques support the figure and the message I want to share. Here, I’ll show some of my favourite ways to design with light and build a strong, powerful image.