The Contrast of Light: The 1st Category of the 8 Elements of Light

Dmitri Wright. Weir Farm Tiger Lillies and Apples 24h x 36w Oil 2021

It is the classical chiaroscuro model with five contrasts of light. Artists who want to have their work more representational focus more on this application of color order to represent light. 

The Impressionists have trained in the Academy tradition in the art of chiaroscuro originated in the Renaissance. It is the art of using a strong contrast between light and dark to achieve a sense of volume in modeling 3-D objects on a 2-D surface.  This view of light fits with the value-scale-model of color, which goes from light to dark.

Using a gray 10 scale model with 1- 5 consider a tint with more light then 5 -10 has less light. 

The 5 Contrasts of Light -

Highlight - brightest light on an object; its the reflection of the light source

Direct Light - second brightest light, on an object facing the light source

Shadow Light – a darker shade of radiance that is out of the direct influence of the light source

Reflected Light - bounce backlight, which appears flanking the shadowed side of the object in the path of the light

Cast Shadow Light – blocked light caused by the object in the path of the light source to shape a darkened radiance in silhouette