How to Paint SHADOWS that Look Authentic 🎨

Paint authentic shadows by remembering these important elements: Color temperature, edges, local color and color mixing. In this video you will see what I mean by referring to actual shadows and what to look out for.
Then practice mixing shadows and see the difference.
✅Your FREE Painting Course: art.malcolmdewey.art/SpringYT
🎨 Materials:
- Gamblin Artist Oil Colors Introductory Set: amzn.to/2sLyeQh
- Artists' Grade Gamsol Oil Color Size: 1 Liter: amzn.to/2tsbQve
- Oil & Acrylic Paint Brushes Set. 100% Natural Chungking: amzn.to/2QJPs8F
- Palette Knife Painting Set: amzn.to/39Isac6
- Artist Paint Brushes - Top Quality Red Sable : amzn.to/2rU0oYQ
- Brush Cleaner: amzn.to/2QoLN0R
- H-Frame Artist's Easel: amzn.to/2Fn2UtK
- Canvas panels for practice: amzn.to/2Fmuuax

[@callmedeno]

One interesting thing about shadows like this is the distance from the object casting the shadow, the further away it is the more 'blurry' the shadow because as you move away there are just more angles and things that the light can bounce from to hit the particular area. If these were small trees these sky holes would be more defined (but still somewhat blurry)

[@mevlidasofic9131]

❤

[@ligiacerqueira1721]

Thank you

[@teresamiller3513]

Thank you for this clear lesson with specific ways to look at color and temperature of shadows. I always learn so much from your videos.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Great, thanks Teresa

[@manjiabanti]

Very informative as always ❤

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you think so!

[@mr.sean.kennedy]

The use of the photograph and computer to illustrate these points was very helpful. I feel like I learn something with every one of your videos that I watch, thank you.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, You're very welcome Sean

[@julioalarcon7092]

You are a great teacher!!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you! 😃

[@nathaliartist]

Gracias Malcolm 🎨

[@margilinegar8503]

Very useful and clear explanation

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you

[@joannemurphy4636]

That was a great class, Malcolm!!! I learned so much. I don't recall learning about local color and that is a great way to determine what color I should start with. Too often, its almost as if auto pilot takes over and I think "I like when my paths are "x" color, so I'll do what I've done before". Using local color is obviously a much more accurate starting point. The use of the photo and using your color selection right next to the photo with an explanation was a very effective teaching method. I can see myself using that color selection idea while in photoshop so that when I get to my palette, I'm already headed in the right direction. Thanks so much!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes it helps, but best training for the eye is outdoors making your own color swatches.

[@khailinn432]

Thank you much for your contributions.

[@MalcolmDewey]

My pleasure!

[@marinashaduri7836]

Thank you for your useful lesson, Malcolm. Very helpful indeed !

[@MalcolmDewey]

You're very welcome Marina

[@vesnabreskvar9082]

Thank you Malcolm for teaching us to observe our surroundings as painters do, to observe as we have never known before!

[@MalcolmDewey]

You are very welcome

[@karenleroux3734]

Thank you, Malcolm. You continue to inspire and motivate me to keep learning and improving!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks Karen, great to hear that

[@sophiereinecke8659]

Again a very clear and informative lesson. Thank you Malcolm. You are teaching us to really "see" and that is an "art" in itself!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Many thanks Sophie

[@terrierose5917]

Thank you Malcolm for another valuable art lesson

[@MalcolmDewey]

Very welcome

[@miriamtong8808]

Thanks Malcolm! The part on local color was really helpful in showing a place to start.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks Miriam, glad to hear that.

[@bryndissigfusson8909]

Thank you so much for this lesson. I really learned a lot from it. Just what I needed for being more confident when I paint light and shadows.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

[@brcana.s7788]

Thank you Malcolm. İt was one of the best lesson.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you liked it!

[@Eva-iy6vy]

This video about shadows is very useful. Malcolm gives a very specific information a bout shadows which is an important element in the painting. Thank you Malcolm you are the best.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks so much Eva 😊

[@roxanameaney911]

Malcolm. This was the most helpful lesson on shadows I've ever received. Very specific help to a very tricky subject!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks, Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jansplanet]

Great tutorial as usual! I need to take more walks & observations of my surroundings😃

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes go for it!

[@johnhaywood6358]

A most excellent video ! Thank you for the lesson. I continue to learn each day through practice and help from artist like yourself. God bless

[@MalcolmDewey]

My pleasure!

[@jenny12050]

So interesting, thank you.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jenny12050]

@@MalcolmDewey 💕

[@janicemunn4220]

Nice explanation..thank you

[@MalcolmDewey]

So nice of you Janice

[@susanw6203]

Thank you, Malcolm, this was very helpful. I have attempted dappled light before but didn't get the gradation of color part.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@adamstawski5647]

Thank you Malcolm, I always find your videos very helpful. I've been using online photo editors to single out colors as you were doing here, and to blur and get rid of detail, but I like the option to blend the paint you were using in this software. Do you use Adobe photoshop, or something else?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Happy to help! This program is called Art Rage

[@dubs3400]

Thank you so much Malcolm. I would like to know what program you use to “color match” the various hues you have to deal with. In this video, you matched many of the shadow hues and knowing how you do this would be a tremendous help. Thanks again for such a helpful and educational video. Dubs

[@MalcolmDewey]

It's called Art Rage

[@dubs3400]

Thank you sir!

[@theponderingpilgrim4342]

I much enjoyed the video explanation of how to differentiate the parts of a shadow Malcolm. Helped me see shadows in a different (better way). I just had a quick question. When one is going to paint a section in shadow, can the addition of thicker paint to that area (along with broken colour) in your experience be a good option to still employ? Or is it a better way to go, to just introduce changes in colour temps (in the shadows) & mainly leave the thick paint to the lights only.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad it was helpful! Thin shadows and thicker lights is a good option. But thick paint in shadows can be effective too - you just want them to be less textured (eye catching) than the lights.

[@theponderingpilgrim4342]

Ok so could try it thicker in dark areas but just not as textured. Thanks Malcolm for your guidance it is much appreciated.

[@alisonmike2912]

Just makes me realise how much I don't know which is a bit worrying because I've taken a huge step and hired a very very small local gallery and me and a friend are going to have an exhibition . My friend has got pottery and I've got pottery and paintings to show. It's the first time either of us have ever done anything like this before . I'm more confident with my pottery than my paintings but it'll be interesting to see and hear people's reactions, hopefully I've got thick enough skin . Any advice would be gratefully received ,it's not until November so it's a while away yet .

[@MalcolmDewey]

Have fun with it. Keep paintings simple and strong in value and color. Presentation is important when you exhibit so frame and display your work well. Most of all enjoy the moment.

[@alisonmike2912]

Thank you , I'll let you know how it goes .

[@John-mz8rj]

The local colour is defined by the light. Say a sunset, and an overcast grey blue light would change the local colour completely. A defused pure white light would reveal a true local colour, but that never happens in nature. I don't think local is the right word. It's a colour modified by a cool or warm light and its surroundings.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Local color is the color without any influence of warm or cool light. It is the objective starting point, you could say. From there you adjust your mix to get the effect of light.

[@John-mz8rj]

@@MalcolmDewey it's all fun.

[@user-fr8mf6ed2y]

❤