Beyond Chiaroscuro: Light and Dark in Art

When we talk about light and dark in art we often talk of chiaroscuro. This is a well-known concept, made famous by the likes of Caravaggio, which understands light and dark as an extreme contrast between a light source and shadow. It appears to be the predominant way of understanding light and dark in western art.

As a result, we tend to think of the terms light and dark and chiaroscuro as the same thing. However, there are two different ways of seeing light and dark, not just one. It’s helpful to know the distinction when determining how chiaroscuro can be used in art.

I first heard about this from the amazing Disney Animator Bill Perkins. It has since massively helped me in my art practice.

Type 1 – Light and SHADOW

Sometimes referred to as ‘Form’ in art.

This is chiaroscuro. It is probably how you conventionally see light and dark.

You shine a bright light into a room, the room becomes light. You take all light out of the room, the room becomes dark. It is light during the day, it is dark during the night. Simple.

This is the difference between a light source and the shadows that the light source creates.

Type 2 – Light and Dark

Sometimes referred to as ‘Mass’ in art.

You have a black pen, its makes a black mark on paper. You have a light blue pen, it makes a light blue mark on paper. One mark on the paper is light, the other is dark.

This difference of light and dark is a difference of tonal value. There is no shadow involved. There is no light source involved. Apart from the ambient light you actually need to see, but that doesn’t count. This way of seeing light and dark can be referred to as ‘notan’, which is a Japanese term used to describe light and dark.

So, this light and dark has nothing to do with light sources and shadows. It is just describing the tonal value that the object holds. I like to think of it similar to a dye - a dress can be dyed dark black or bleached bright white. One dress is light, the other is dark. No light sources or shadows are involved. The lightness or darkness come from the colour of the object itself.

Light and Shadow (Chiaroscuro)

Light and Dark (Notan)

See the above examples. The first drawing depicts a strong light source and the shadow that forms as a result, this is ‘light and shadow’ or chiaroscuro. The second example depicts the tonal values of the objects, without a light source, this is ‘light and dark’ or notan.

Compare her belt in both examples. Is the belt dark or is the belt light?

This is often where we begin to get muddled. And, confusingly, the belt is both light and dark; it is a black belt with a strong light source on it. These are two different types of light, you get to choose whether to depict the blackness that the belt holds, or the effect of strong light onto the belt, or a bit of both.

How This Affects Your Art Practice

Understanding the difference between the two concepts of light and dark can bring clarity to your images. It also helps you figure out what’s going on when you are drawing, and not get muddled between the two and end with confusion in your work.

I have often done that mistake, gotten myself into a right muddle trying to depict both a light and dark belt at the same time! Usually, it ends up in a panic and the whole thing being rubbed out.

To make it simple, ask yourself this question: Am I drawing the shadows or am I drawing the tonal value of the object? You can do both, but usually one has a dominance.

As the artists, we get to pick which one we show in our work, ‘light and shadow’ or ‘light and dark’. Maybe you show a bit of both, maybe only one. It’s completely up to you how to depict the situation.

Having two different understandings of light and dark helps you to understand and draw what you see in a clearer way.

How do you approach the concepts of light and dark in your work? Let me know in the comments!