A "Formula" for Coloring Light (multiple light sources)

In this video, I'll explain how I think through lighting when coloring with more than one light source. I've been studying and testing out this formula for a while, and I think I'm ready to explain it! It might not apply to ever single scenario, but I think it applies to most in a general way at least.
I use examples from popular comic book colorists like Alejandro Sanchez, Marte Gracia, Edgar Delgado, Matt Wilson, & Laura Martin.
The thumbnail features art by Ryan Ottley ( / ryanottley ) and colors by Marte Gracia ( / martegracia )
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LINKS MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO:
• Marte Gracia on Facebook:
/ marte.gracia
• Matt Wilson on Instagram:
/ fatheadwilson
• Edgar Delgado on Twitter:
/ delgaduck
• Alejandro Sanchez on KZbin:
/ @loquesunalex
• www.cgtrader.com/free-3d-mode...
• Friend of the channel, Max Dunbar's latests book: www.comixology.com/Stone-Star...
• Creating Depth & Focus with Matt Wilson:
• Creating Depth & Focus...
• How NOT to Color Comics Playlist:
• Learn to avoid these c...
• How to THINK When Coloring Comics:
• 🤔 How to THINK when co...
Get 20% off my downloadable courses at learn.comiccolor.com with the coupon code: topfive
or get a discount on my Photoshop color picker: MagicPicker
anastasiy.com/colorwheel?code=...
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Thanks for reading!
Kurt

[@colorwithkurt]

Support videos like this at www.patreon.com/kmr or use coupon code washyourhands at learn.comiccolor.com for 50% off any of my courses. Thanks for watching!

[@MohammedAgbadi]

Man this is really amazing to watch!!! you actually went indepth and explained everything down to the details!

[@untameddraws591]

I didn't expect my king to be down here in the comments ❤️

[@cedricleeakadominic]

Oh wow it's you

[@J3ss4u]

You're a phony. Nothing but a drama farmer. No one will learn anything from your videos

[@MohammedAgbadi]

I love how you explained this man!! Amazing and easy to understand

[@Icewielderguy]

After watching this I've started seeing this everywhere I look! My lighting is going to improve tenfold. Had to come back and leave a comment. Thanks Kurt!

[@colorwithkurt]

It IS everywhere you look! Sure it's an oversimplification but that's what we're doing anyway. :)

[@000bullets]

These lighting tutorials are so comprehensive, I love them!

[@colorwithkurt]

Thank you! Share it with fellow weird art nerds like us. :)

[@lRedBaronl]

I have found my new teacher! 🙏🏻

[@colorwithkurt]

Early comments are into the VR! Good! Because I've been spent YEARS trying to explain 3D concepts in 2D and trying to get you to visualize 3D in your 2D comics. This makes things simpler. :)

[@jngarrettart]

Color with Kurt Just watched, and I thought that was a very clear way to show what you were talking about. Just a thought too, the app “Handy” (which I seem to recall you’ve used before?) on the iPad also has 3D head models, and it allows for three light sources in different colors and varying amounts of light. I’d love to see more of the VR model too for these types of explanations , but if you need more light sources, maybe “Handy” would be an option to play with too.

[@colorwithkurt]

Good point! I haven't played much with the multiple lights, but I'll check that out.

[@BrendaMaryanArt]

I liked so much.

[@jngarrettart]

Color with Kurt Color with Kurt It may or may not work for what you’re needing, but figured it might be worth a check, especially if you already own the app. 😊👍

[@doro626]

This is the clearest explanation of this ever for ME. Ive seen the sphere reflected light, direct light source tutorials, but never got it until now. THANK YOU.

[@PopCross]

This is INCREDIBLY helpful! The VR thing is such an awesome way to teach this, thank you so much for making this! All your vids are so fantastic!!!

[@colorwithkurt]

So that's one vote for more VR? :) Thanks a lot.

[@PopCross]

@@colorwithkurt Yes for sure!!! It was such a great way to visualize things. I'm still a small channel, but I've been telling all my subscribers to come watch your vids! Almost everything I know about colouring I learned from taking your udemy course a few years ago and watching your youtube videos over the last few months! You're a huge inspiration man, thanks so much for all the awesome content!!!

[@colorwithkurt]

Thanks so much! Best of luck with your channel. :)

[@thekagemedia]

Aye it's Popcross!

[@tonysavv4642]

this helped me alot!!! I was always confused on how the lights existed within the shadows and that always screwed up where I would shade the forms of the body thank you this was much needed

[@matsujun4me]

Thank you so much for this vid. I've seen other vids to try to understand the secondary lighting and never really understood it. I always wondered where it went. I initially thought opposite the main light source, but at the very border of my drawings! Lol 😅

[@anna17miklo]

This is a game-changer for me. Thank you so much! this channel is one of the most valuable resources I've found on making comics.

[@colorwithkurt]

That's great. Thank you!

[@marcosbango1978]

Very clear and instructive. Thank you so much for making this!

[@christophercondry4224]

Man, it is impossible to overstate how much you've helped me grapple with the basics of coloring. A thousand thanks!

[@annehmbar]

I watched this video yesterday and can't stop thinking about it!! I think the part of my brain that only recognised a shadow as a darker value instead of the result of a light source got fixed xD

[@hotsauce7124]

I’m so grateful for this, thank you so much!

[@kohchenkit266]

Best explanation I have ever listened to. Great job!

[@o.milonova9664]

This tilt brush is incredible, it really has an educating value to it!

[@nmlss]

Such a simple and understandable explanation for a quite complex subject. Amazing and super helpful, as usual.

[@Obs957]

Awesome! Makes a lot more sense in 3D seeing through your eyes.

[@animatormark]

just found your channel. I’m very very appreciative of the info you are sharing. Great stuff!

[@araki9055]

This is one of the best videos explaining light sources, I have never seen someone use VR to explain this, it's amazing!

[@darbypea2223]

I've never had this explained to me before and it really made things click into place for me

[@jazzew]

This video really helps me out! I probably could use Blender 3D to play with lighting and a bust model, since I have no VR. Wahhh! Anyway, starting again with drawing (and colouring), I was looking for ways to light in more cartoony styles, and your video came up. Thank you so much!

[@RJJohnston]

Great video! i’m looking forward to trying this out. Thanks for making it easily understandable.

[@michaelt8954]

Great stuff, I can feel myself leveling up. love your videos and you work. keep it up :)

[@acglass]

Kurt, thanks for your video. You are very articulate and effective in explaining the work. I really appreciate your time. You're awesome!

[@JustinoElArtista]

You, kind sir, are a godsend. I've been racking my brain trying to understand lighting better in both digital and traditional artwork for some time now. And here you are, breaking it down in a way that makes 100% sense. Please keep pumping out these lessons!

[@Macchiatostudios]

I believe I’ve watched every video you ever did on KZbin... this video is the best in my opinion. VERY VERY WELL DONE.

[@JoeAdams]

Loved this. Learned an amazing amount and it was taught so simply.

[@carlodraws]

thanks for this video! it was super informative and easy to understand, the VR tool was neat!

[@dawnsims8618]

Thank you! This was really informative and clearly explained. I've only just started to work with colour but even my black and white drawings used to be a bit flat. I'm slowly getting more confident and i want to start using dramatic lighting so this video will help lots! :)

[@daddymcawesome6135]

I have just discovered your channel by accident and it is amazing. Thanks for putting this together, you are going to keep me occupied for weeks.

[@colorwithkurt]

That's awesome. It seems like it's often by accident. I wish I knew how to spread it more on purpose...haha...

[@Liandreth]

The VR lightning is very useful. I clicked on a couple of concepts that I've been studying lately from you and other artists, and I'll probably rewatch it later to further analize it. I need to color a few pages right now, so I'll try to use that to practice all this

[@frankpol8611]

I really liked the VR demo you did! Seems like a really effective tool for this concept

[@colorwithkurt]

I really like it too! I've got plans for more. :)

[@pitchblackink.]

You went all the way with this one, well done! I just started colouring and this lesson was amazing!

[@colorwithkurt]

I'm trying! I wish someone showed me this about ten years ago. :)

[@meow710]

Just the channel I have been looking for. I am learning colouring.

[@josevaldez1347]

This is the first video I see from you and it blow my mind, truly, it is amazing. Thanks Russell!

[@colorwithkurt]

Thanks, Jose! I appreciate that very much.

[@Eyrrll]

Extremely well explained... thanks.

[@RedOni87]

Thanks Master! really interesting and helpful as always.

[@Dr.RockeART]

Thank you, this was very informative 🙏🏼✌🏻

[@shaundoiron]

Great video, it's definitely driving home something I've been working on picking up from your videos and from Mohammed Agbadi. You've helped me increase my skills ten fold, I can't promote your comic color course enough!

[@CENTURION.CARPATIC]

Best video of the year for me! Well done Sir!

[@colorwithkurt]

Wow. Thanks!

[@thapelomakwatanyane4859]

I was reading a closed all along, but this video made coloring very simple. Thank man

[@clayhenss4687]

Very helpful! Thanks so much.

[@GarmanyRachel]

This was incredibly helpful! Subscribed:) Thank you!

[@rpc4626]

Thanks dude, this really opened my eyes.

[@colorwithkurt]

Love to hear it.

[@devilitododol989]

You are clear and sharp liks a knife. Thanks for the info

[@J3ss4u]

Brilliant lesson!😊

[@nickjames8136]

There is an artist I recently got into that was straight blowing my mind and after studying his images for a couple hours I noticed one of his things is that he's constantly using multiple light sources, so I looked up a tut on it and this video does not dissapoint!

[@tat2masheen]

I really enjoyed a couple of your videos. Youre very good at explaining subjects in a very digestible terms. Good job

[@colorwithkurt]

I appreciate that! That's great to hear.

[@tat2masheen]

Funny because the way you approached the subject actually clarified something ive been struggling with a long time. I came up in a more "traditional" backround. Mom was an artist/teacher. Paper reference, actually redrawing everything from scratch 10 times til you get it right. And drawing from imagination. Use reference only to see the subject.but not stylized. I broke out because i hate authority lol

[@titanscity9113]

even for a french spectator, your video is really easy to understand :) the 3D tool helped a lot to understand it

[@TheDruone]

Amazing video! Thanks!

[@jdfleblanc]

Super helpful instruction. Thank you.

[@SeanMcKnight]

Great lesson!

[@vihangaraveen8891]

Thank you man! Keep up🔥

[@WolfikCZ]

Thank you for those videos, they are so great! And you are great teacher!:)

[@colorwithkurt]

Thanks!

[@utumaru]

Thanks Kurt this actually puts things in perspective for me. I tend to sometimes struggle with lighting like things dont look right sometimes i have a general understanding of color theory and lighting but videos like these always help. :)

[@colorwithkurt]

Glad to hear that! I'm trying to guide y'all along my zigzagging path through learning this stuff.

[@utumaru]

@@colorwithkurt Looking forward to taking your courses on Udemy :)

[@arhamhabibdnp8378]

so helpful! thanks a lot !

[@timbrown6373]

Awesome video Kurt! You did an excellent job showing and explaining stuff, definitely have some new ideas I want to try. I like the 3-D VR model you used, I think it's a strong tool. And the new name for the channel is awesome. I always joke with people I have "Kurt Russel Syndrome" because nobody is going to find me by googling Tim Brown, so I had to start going by Timothy C. Brown. Again, great video! 10/10!

[@gonjo7409]

Thank you so much Kurt

[@BrendaMaryanArt]

I really loved this video :o

[@ShelbyRobertson22]

Great video. Might help a lot of aspiring colorists from jumping right into hitting everything with the airbrush!

[@falkoiii2630]

Amazing video

[@Bangy]

A weaker light is not necessarily softer. The reason weaker lights tend to be softer is that they are usually closer to the subject. The size of the wavefront is proportional to the softness of the transition, so a larger light source would produce a larger transitionary distance. This is why sunlight is a lot sharper than diffuse light, because the sun (though much more intense) has a much smaller initial wavefront than diffuse light. Furthermore, the transitionary area is inverse proportional to the distance from the light source. Weaker lights tends to be softer because they need to be closer to light subject, leading to softer light.

[@i5anna1000]

Thank you SO MUCH for this!! It really helped me. I struggle with light. I suffer, actually, 'cause I can never get it right. This simple explanation has helped tremendously. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@colorwithkurt]

That's very cool! Glad to know it helped.

[@merra8515]

Thank you!

[@BeAhatGirlloveGG]

Thank you, sir.

[@TheChameleon2008]

Amazing video and big thumbs up for sharing!

[@colorwithkurt]

Thanks!

[@melanye3591]

I love your tips! Everything is really useful! =D

[@safwanosman6329]

amazing vid

[@leannkaska9156]

Excellent 🎉

[@0mniessence548]

thank you!

[@reggied.8771]

yeeeess thank you

[@krager5566]

Awesome

[@stasgroshev2487]

Awesome video, thank you Kurt, and could you tell us about a differnt coloring styles?

[@colorwithkurt]

It's on my list. :)

[@anjuulinajuulie]

the vr was rlly good

[@ibrahimaydn5768]

Hello. How did you change lasso tool than polygonal lasso tool suddenly here (10: 44) Thanks

[@lefthandstory1280]

Amazing and so nice friend🤟👍👍👍❤️❤️👍👍👍👍😉..

[@officersquarehead]

Very nice! I'm not afraid of lighting characters anymore! Does this formula apply to environments though?

[@colorwithkurt]

It's a simplification of how light works anywhere.

[@katssketches1118]

I remember my art teacher telling me to squint my eyes when I’m studying an image to see the contrast.

[@mertolojis]

I see another color as I pass from the area that receives the light to the shadow. Can you tell me how to do this or do you have a video that you explain beforehand?

[@elsiehill3758]

6:50 so does this mean the base color is the shadows in between the primary and secondary light sources?

[@anuradason9542]

At 0:44 which comic did the middle panel come from?

[@ratedpg2009]

Great and very helpful tutorial, but if you could please let me know where you got that perler bead spider-man, is that custom-made?

[@colorwithkurt]

It is. Got it at a con years ago. Don't remember who but they don't think they sell them online.

[@ratedpg2009]

@@colorwithkurt guess I'm going to have to make one myself. And thanks again for the tips and hacks, you're a lifesaver.

[@gammyalade9896]

Please could you drop a link to the brush you use? 🙏🏿

[@colorwithkurt]

Which one?

[@teslainvestah5003]

15:26 "movies have more dramatic lighting than the real world" unless it's any marvel movie made since they figured out that boring lighting makes last-minute revisions easier.

[@Jason-rt4lv]

Virtually Radical.

[@kckdutton]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😎😎😎

[@PrisGallicchio]

where can I find that light bust model?

[@colorwithkurt]

There's a link in the description to cgtrader.

[@itzharmaor5853]

what about the 3d model?

[@kim_chasgrits1527]

Love your videos.....but off topic, I gotta ask.....what is that little Spider-man figure on the left side of the screen? Who makes it ? Yep, I'm a Spider-fan ;)

[@colorwithkurt]

I found it at a con. Can't remember which. It's made of those beads you melt together. :)

[@kim_chasgrits1527]

@@colorwithkurt very cool....thanks for the reply!

[@doro626]

That drew my attention as well. it looks like a frame from the street fighter capcom games, but in a slightly Chibi style.

[@OliVeeTV]

Great video. "The Prowler" spoiler alert was not necessary for your light explanation...

[@colorwithkurt]

Maybe for some unaware youngsters! 😜

[@ophelia5240]

I'm working on a digital painting with 4 light sources and all of them equally as bright. Iiiiiiim in trouble

[@QuickWitit07]

What 6 evil people gave this a thumbs down. SLAP YO-SELF.

[@kalebgonzales4009]

You play WoW? I heard a ding sound haha!

[@colorwithkurt]

I think you're the first to notice. :) Snowblower on Malfurion is my main. I'm one of those that comes back for a few months every xpac, then doesn't play until the next one... Haha

[@ProcreateDigitalArt]

Hey Kurt. Is everything ok? I’ve not seen anything from you in a long time. 😢

[@colorwithkurt]

Thanks for asking. I have some large coloring projects taking up a lot of time, and still dealing with some health issues that are slowing me down. I'm planning more videos though and will get it up as soon as I can.

[@ProcreateDigitalArt]

Color with Kurt Sorry to hear about the health issues. I miss your videos. Get well soon. Take care. 🎄

[@petitio_principii]

While there's a lot "based on physics," for making pictures, a lot can be "faked," just like photography and movies, even though they're capturing actual light, are also "cheating" for a desired effect, with reflectors off-picture and added lights and so on, rather than being an accurate representation of the "natural" scene.

[@colorwithkurt]

Right.

[@zersh.flores]

ramos is the artist, delgado is the colorist, haha

[@colorwithkurt]

Haha

[@TheDudeway]

how many values in general would you recommend ? I feel like if you don't know the planes of the body all theory is worthless. Also colour harmony is killing me...