This is a practical, accessible, and beautifully illustrated guide for artists on using light and shadow to develop character designs to a professional standard. This shorter-format book from 3dtotal Publishing, part of the new Create & Learn Collection, guides readers through clear and simple methods for achieving high-quality lighting in their drawings and digital paintings. The valuable content is written and illustrated by professional artists, and includes an in-depth introduction by Kenneth Anderson (also known as Character Cube), a Scotland-based character designer and illustrator who specializes in creating characters for animation, video games, and traditional publishing. After covering the fundamentals of light and shadow, the book explores ways to use lighting and shading to define form, enhance character stylization, and strengthen storytelling. This is followed by eight valuable tutorials from artists around the world, including Iranian visual artist Taraneh Karimi, Serbian illustrator Ognjen Sporin, and Italian character designer Isabella Agosti. The tutorials cover a range of topics, including: “Controlling a Character’s Tonal Structure with Light and Shadow,” “Using Light in Character Design,” and “Using Light and Shadow on a Stylized 3D Character.” With its compact format and short, clear instructional steps, this book is ideal for anyone looking for a quick reference guide or a more relaxed approach than a tutorial book. It’s the perfect gift for an artist friend just discovering their digital painting skills, or an essential purchase for artists who want to learn how professionals create precise lighting and shadows in their drawings.
