chapter 9
Let the Light
Reveal the Planes Planar Rendering of Complex Forms
Before you begin to draw, shine your light source on your still life from various angles. This will
help you to find the various planes of your subject by revealing its intrinsic geometric structure.
The palm, with its gently curving fronds, is a subject that is more difficult to break
down into planes; nevertheless, the form can still be simplified into planes.
In this image, the light moves into another position so you can see that each of the
strands that make up the frond have two separate surfaces, which creates a
āVā shape.
The light in this photo is in a different position from the photo on the previous
page. The form is revealed by the light in a very different way; it was especially dif-
ficult to see the planes within the shadow in the photo on the previous page, but
in this example, the planes are clearly visible.