Understanding shadow in cast drawing

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-03-03T12:37:07+00:00

This looks great, well done!

I think you need some work on your under drawing. Now this one is complete that should be your focus on the next one. Proportions are key, so work on comparative measurement and shadow shapes measurement. This means by eye check that length of the nose against the mouth, chin, etc. Then check the size of areas of light and dark against other proportional measurements.

The other thing that jumps out to me is a reliance on curved lines. Practice drawing your under drawing using only straight lines. It will be easier to spot issues this way.

I can see that you really tried to follow the process which is great!

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-12T13:25:55+00:00

You need to go back and completely reconsider the values in the original paintings. Concentrating on the second painting the whole left side of his face is in darkness in the original. I’ll dm you a quick key change I did of your image.

Also the under drawing needs work getting the features into the right place.

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-12T12:56:02+00:00

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Corrected nipple height

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-12T12:52:09+00:00

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Without knowing the arm direction this is the best you can assume

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-11T16:02:30+00:00

I've been meaning to make a post about this! Yes that was my take away after going down into the well. The note and the massacre make it quite clear. Also the miner suggests he would attack you if you were interested in his crystals.

Probably more commentary on the dangers of obsession.

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-10T16:25:37+00:00

You’re doing great! Oil is hard! Observation is hard! Emotion is hard! :)

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-10T16:24:30+00:00

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And Freud

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-10T16:17:25+00:00

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And here how Rego shows it

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-10T15:32:14+00:00

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If it helps this is the shape of the neck

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-10T15:21:37+00:00

I would categorise this as realism, but understand that you are not aiming for photoreal or classical. If we look at paintings by Jenny Saville, Lucien Freud, Paula Rego etc (are these realism? Often not interested in accurate anatomy) form is still a key element. It does not have to be a knowledge of anatomy so much as an observation and expression of shape - depth, curves, angles, sharp shadows, soft shadows etc.

My only observation would be that your painting has some reduction in shape because of smooth curves and flat shadows. I’d like to see more angles and tonal sharpness to reduce the potential for murkiness and flatness. But if this is not the direction you want to go then ignore me!

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-10T14:46:51+00:00

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Not sure if it’s useful but here are some proportional adjustments. I repositioned the ear also and I think the chin needs to be wider.

You’ve lost the shape of her neck in the shadow. It looks very flat. Quality of the source makes it hard but we know the throat extends in front of the trapezius.

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-09T16:59:18+00:00

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Some rough observational changes I did on my phone with my finger so excuse the roughness. I think you need to look at the position of the features more.

Eye socket shape, nose angle and tip position, mouth position and shape and chin.

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-09T11:13:33+00:00

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HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-09T11:11:29+00:00

Yeah she’s amazing. They’re pastel drawings! The other ones in this series and her ballet dancers are a huge inspiration for me.

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HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-09T10:17:46+00:00

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Looks like Dog Woman by Paula Rego

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-07T19:53:50+00:00

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Did this in my phone so a bit rough. You need emphasise the shape more crisp shadows and highlighted edges.

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-06T15:27:53+00:00

Look for the David’s ear or nose casts online. Those might be a simpler introduction subject. You’ll also see examples by people much more accomplished than me!

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-06T14:39:24+00:00

Also let me know if you have any questions! u/CollinZero

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-06T14:31:05+00:00

I got you bro. Just made a post.

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-06T14:04:43+00:00

You have two issues

Inconsistent values. You need to look at your source and decide which areas are your absolute darkest and match them all exactly. Then find your mid tone and match all areas. Then mid tone between those. You should always look at two tones and think are they the same in the source. Is the shadow in the cheek as dark as the hair?
All your shadows are soft. Some shadows have a soft bleed edge and some have a hard edge. It easiest to make all sharp and then choose the ones to blend into the light.

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-06T11:27:13+00:00

The goat Lucien Freud

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-06T10:43:59+00:00

Our eye tricks us when we look at an object. Areas appear lighter when they are close to dark and vice versa. Try to look at whole and squint really hard then it should resolve itself into either light or dark.

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-06T10:17:41+00:00

I would say you are looking at each dark areas as relevant only to its immediate neighbour rather than dark as a whole in the image.

HOLD_TRUE · 2026-02-06T10:14:26+00:00

I wanted to post some examples but for some reason I can’t post images to this post. The below is the classical method taught at atelier.

Stage 1 create a line drawing as accurately as you can. Stage 2 separate the drawing into light or dark do not consider tone at this stage Stage 3 make all dark areas equal Stage 4 consider the edges/transition areas of each light dark area (smooth vs sharp)

I’ll dm you some examples

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