Light Reveals
the Form (continued)
There is an even light on the whole back of the figure.
Rubens has decided to rely more on the use of line rather
than shading, to describe the structure of the body. Observe
how he sculpts the figure by varying the quality of the line
around the perimeter of the figure. Notice where the figure
or limb is bent, Rubens has thickened his line to emphasize
the gesture. Dark shading is used in roughly four parts of the
body, under the buttocks, the left knee, under the left calf,
and at the waist on the right. Rubens, being the superb artist
that he was, pinpointed these areas as crucial to depict the
gesture or stance of the figure. The shape of the shadow
under the left buttock is lengthened, which shows the
viewer that the left hip is lowered. The shading under the
buttocks beautifully illustrates the roundness of each cheek
of the buttocks. Take note that the shadow in this region
retains an airy quality. There is far too much light hitting the
figure overall for the shadow to be dense and heavy looking.
Consequently, the shading or tone is made up of slanted
lines. This allows some space in between the lines, which
conveys the effect of a light and airy shadow.
The solidity of the legs is achieved by the shading of the
outer contour of the right leg and the shading underneath
the muscles on the thigh and calf. Notice the slight differ-
ence between the calf muscle on the left leg and the calf
muscle on the right leg. The left knee is bent, and so the left
lower leg appears at a different angle from the right leg. As a
result, the left calf appears rounder as we see it pulled for-
ward by the knee rather than straight on, as is the case with
the right leg. This is slightly exaggerated by the very dark
shading just above the back of the knee. This, along with the
rounding of the left calf, serves as a signal that the leg is
bent. This is the shorthand which artists use to create their
illusions of space and depth.
When you are drawing, be very attentive to how the posture
of the pose affects all the muscles of the body and observe
how the weight of the body is distributed.
Copy after Peter Paul Rubens’ Nude Woman,
by Dean FisherTIP
Shadows in the Light
Find a way to draw subtle modulation
values of gray tones to suggest light in
a well-lit area of the subject.