Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Shadows & Shading Blog Hop

Note: Commenting is now closed. Winner will be posted Monday. Thanks for commenting!!

Book Giveaway

The Shadows & Shading book is now available at many of your favorite retailers (sorry, we do not sell direct or else I could post a link), and so we wanted to offer a chance to WIN a copy for yourself.
Thursday the Copic Instructors in the US and Australia are doing a Blog Hop!!!

My new book, Shadows and Shading is great for beginners, either papercrafters or artists - this is the reference book you have been looking for to help you add shadows to give your projects more dimension. The book does not teach you to draw, rather to help you add shadow and shading. This is a wire-bound book that comes with 4 clear printed guides to help you add shadows properly on your own work. So far, the people who have read it love it! There's a lot to digest, so take it slow and read it often to let the concepts sink in.


Now, a Blog Hop wouldn't be as much fun without BLOG CANDY!!! Today or Tomorrow each of the blogs listed below will be posting an opportunity to win. One lucky commenter per blog, so you have lots of chances to win. That's right, simply leave a comment on this post and you'll be in with a chance to WIN this fabulous book!! You have until Sunday to leave a comment on my blog or any of the following blogs.

Here's the list of blogs you can comment on for your chance to win. Please note, this contest is only open to North American Residents on the North American blogs, and Australian Residents on the Australian blogs.


N
orth American Residents only:

Copicmarker Blog

Marianne Walker

Lori Craig

Sharon Harnist


Jenn Balcer

Jennie Black

Colleen Schaan

Bianca Mandity

Debbie Olson

Sherrie Siemens



If you live in the land down under, then you can win from one of the Australian Blogs:

CopicOz (Australia)

Kathy Jones (Australia)


Mandi-Lee Klinger (Australia)


Ok, Happy Hopping!!

Coloring Shadows Example - toy guitar
I don't know if I've shown this picture before on this blog, but it really does a nice job of showing a cast shadow. Cast shadows can be scary! You have to draw in a shape that isn't there. Aaack! However, it is worth it. Practice makes perfect, and the clear lighting placement guides included in the book are perfect for practicing without wasting paper.

Look at the first picture, without a cast-shadow shadow. While the object is beautifully rendered, it has no "place". It is a floating object without reference. This looks strange, because it is easy to see the dimensionality of the guitar and where the light is hitting it. The easiest way to "ground" our image is to add a cast shadow.

The shape of the shadow mimics the shape of the guitar. On this image, it is almost parallel. If you are worried you're not doing it right, you can take a second copy of the image, slide it over a bit, and trace it.

On this example you'll notice that my shadow is purple, not just gray. The shadow gets more gray as it gets farther from the eye. The shadow gets lighter under the neck because there is more ambient light.

Notice the neck and the top area with the tuning pegs. These are not colored a flat color, even though the light would hit those surfaces uniformly. By giving them slight color variation (lighter in the middle) it helps to add to the shine/dimensionality. The texture on the main body of the guitar was made with a colorless blender. This created the splotchy blended/washed out look you see.

I hope that you can come to see how much more life a shadow gives, have a wonderful creative journey, and good luck with the contest!

440 comments:

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Angel Hawks said...

Congratulations on your book! I can't wait to get a copy. It sounds like it will be so helpful.

tricia said...

Thanks for a chance to win. Also thanks for all the helpful tips you share.

sunnyrc2001 said...

Shadows & shading, the two things I need the most tutoring in.I would be blessed to win this.You are such an amazingly talented artist.Thanks for sharing with all of us.

Sue in CT said...

Sure sounds like a book I need. Thanks for a chance to win it.

Sue in CT said...

Thank you for a chance to win. I really need this book!

Gaby said...

Congrats for the book! I hope I can win it but if not, that is already in my wish list :)

Tara said...

I am BRAND NEW to Copic colouring and LOVIN' IT! This book would be great to get me on my way! Thanks for the opportunity!

Carlotta Vachon said...

As always, thanks for your instruction. You are just truely gifted.

Debra said...

I have soo much to learn and this would be such a treasure!
Thanks for giving me a chance to win!

lainey said...

Oh, this looks like a great book to have! I need all the help I can get with my coloring!

Elaine said...

Saw the book at CHA and know it's a must have for me!! Can't wait to get this one! Fingers crossed:o)

simpsondn said...

I could really use this book. Thanks for the chance to win the book!

Debbie said...

Can't wait to get my hands on this great book.

Unknown said...

just getting into copics and really appreciate the opportunity to do it right. After painting years ago, this seems a natural progression with my card making. Thanks

Jana Weaver said...

I can't wait to get this book, it looks amazing!!!

Barb said...

The book looks awesome... Thank you for the opportunity to win this book!

Unknown said...

Ooh, I REALLY need this book!!! I love your work and all the teaching you do. Thanks for the opportunity!

Anonymous said...

Great idea! I could really use this!

Unknown said...

I am happy to see that you have addressed the "shadow challenge" as it is something I have a great deal of trouble with - thanks for helping!

Tina W. (TeaDub) said...

Thanks for compiling such a great reference book for us!

Jillisgram said...

I would love to win this prize. Thanks for the chance to win it!

Jennifer Dove said...

you know i would love to win this :)

PatS said...

Thanks for the great guitar sample! I really need some help with dimension and this book would be ideal for anyone perfecting the art of shadowing and shading.

Leezer said...

Wow! I just would love to win one this book!

KarenH said...

Sure could use a book like this.
KarenH

Stacey Barrows said...

This looks like a great book, packed with techniques. I am learning to use my copics but have not done much with shadowing. Would love to win this book. Thanks for the opportunity.

Marie said...

Thank you for the chance of winning a copy of your book

Mary Jane said...

I've been looking forward to this book. I have a hard time figuring out shadows. Thanks so much for creating it and for the chance to win one!

stacey said...

I just recently bought my first set of Copic Markers.... I have drawn for years, without knowing about Copics, but now I'm hooked on them!

Unknown said...

Marianne, you are so talented. Thank you for writing a book for us to learn from the best!

Chris K said...

The perfect tool for every Copic user. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

Regina Ellison said...

Just discovered your blog. Thanks for all the helpful info.

Ally said...

I would love to win! I love learning new techniques.

JulieF said...

Sounds great! Where can you buy if you don't win?

JulieF said...

thanks for the chance to win. Where can you purchase if you don't? :)

Michelle said...

Thank you for all you do.
Michelle A.

Unknown said...

This is just what I need. Thanks!

Shawninaz said...

Shading is something I could really use help with. What a great example shown with the guitar before and after. Makes such a huge difference.

Kat said...

I LOVE copics..... and would be so glad to have a copy of this book. Hope it'll be available for sale if I don't win one..... lololo

Patricia St Martin said...

If I do not win a book I want a book. Your book I'm sure would be so helpful. Marianne thank you so much for putting this book out and thank you for giving me the chance to win the book. Please let us know where we can order you book???
Hugs...

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