I’ve been sharing some summery “epic” scene cards on social this summer….and took a break from the to-do list too turn some of those into a mini class! But rather than the normal little promo video, I thought I’d do a lesson that applies to the class, yet can be enjoyed by everyone. So let’s go!

Supplies for this project are linked at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

What’s backlighting?

It’s when the subject you’re looking at – or coloring/drawing – is in between you and the light source – in the case of these island scenes, the sun is low to the horizon and off in the distance at sunset/sunrise, so the side of the subject you see is the shadow side. The dark side.

Showing little stamps colored this way is something I’ve done for a long time, but I thought seeing it large-scale might help make the lesson clearer – and would let me show you the difference that it can make to be really bold with those shadows!

Video

Watch the video below or click HERE to see it on YouTuibe.

The cards

The Art Impressions Gull Friends set (EH – AI) is perfect for these scenes too…birds on the beach! This solo gull has the backlighting around the edge….but notice, there’s a black outline because of the stamp. Try something like this with no-line coloring (stamp in a light ink) and the effect of backlighting is a lot better.

Backlighting does tend to make details in the stamped image irrelevant; and for some images, it may not work at all. This kind of does since you can at least tell they’re birds because of the legs and shadows – but all their accessories lose their humor in the drama of the lighting.

And then there’s these two nutty pelicans! This took a crazy long time, just figuring out how the candle flames would work on top of the background. But…when a figure is up in the air, be sure to leave space between their feet and shadow. If the sun is low, like it is in this case, offset the shadow. In reality this pelican’s shadow would probably be off the page!

The class

It’s time for a new mini class! Island Time intermediate level….pushing the boundaries of it due to some tree and cloud drawing but I have faith in you!

Supplies

Some product may be provided by manufacturers for review and use. Compensated affiliate links are here at no cost to you. If you choose to shop using my EH (Ellen Hutson) links, please accept cookies on that site in order to retain the link to my blog, or that compensation does not happen for me. I appreciate your support of my work with your purchases! Full affiliate and product disclosure | My trusted partners in art

• Gull-Friends, Art Impressions Clear Stamps —- EH – AI
• Copic Markers: EH – Blick
• Copic Hex Chart
• Jet Black Lawn Fawn Ink Pad
• Neenah Cardstock, Solar White: • 25pk – 250pk