Digital Painting Digital Painting Light and Shadow

Question 1

What is the 'terminator' in painting a 3D form?

Accepted Answer

The boundary line between the lit and shadowed areas on a form

Answer

The terminator is the transitional edge between the light and shadow sides of a form, and its softness or hardness is determined by the size and type of the light source.

Question 2

How does the size of a light source affect the quality of shadows in a painting?

Accepted Answer

Larger light sources create softer, more diffused shadows while smaller sources create harder shadows

Answer

Large light sources (like an overcast sky) produce soft, diffuse shadows because light reaches shadow areas from multiple angles, while small sources (like the sun) cast hard-edged shadows.

Question 3

What is 'three-point lighting' in a painting setup?

Accepted Answer

A lighting scheme using a key light, fill light, and back/rim light to illuminate a subject from multiple directions

Answer

Three-point lighting uses a key light (main source), fill light (softens shadows), and rim/back light (separates subject from background) for dimensionally lit subjects.

Question 4

In painting a sphere, where is the 'highlight' typically located?

Accepted Answer

At the point on the surface where the light source reflects most directly toward the viewer

Answer

The highlight is the brightest point on a surface where the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection toward the viewer — its position depends on both light and viewer position.

Question 5

What causes the 'penumbra' (soft edge) of a cast shadow?

Accepted Answer

Light from the extended area of a large light source partially reaching the shadow zone, creating a gradient transition

Answer

The penumbra occurs when parts of a large light source are blocked while others still reach the shadow transition zone, producing a soft gradient at the shadow edge.

Digital Painting Practice Test

Digital Painting Practice Test

Digital Painting Digital Painting Light and Shadow