Adding shadows to digital art is an important skill to master, as it adds depth and realism to your work. Not only do shadows add a sense of realism, but they also help emphasize certain aspects of a piece of artwork, making it stand out more than it otherwise would. There are several ways to add shadows in digital art, depending on the type of program you’re using and the desired effect.
Using Photoshop, there are two main ways to add shadows in digital art: using a brush tool or using the Blend Mode option. When using a brush tool, you can paint a shadow with the brush of your choice.
This method allows for more control over which parts of the artwork the shadow is applied to and how dark or light it should be. Alternatively, you can use the Blend Mode option to mix colors together so that they blend into each other, creating a more subtle effect.
Using Procreate, there are also two main ways to add shadows in digital art: using the Color Dodge blending mode or using a vector shape. With Color Dodge blending mode, layers can be blended together so that they create darker areas where they intersect.
You can then adjust the opacity and tint of these darker areas to achieve the desired look. Alternatively, you can use vector shapes such as ovals or rectangles to create shadows by overlapping them over sections of your artwork.
Using Illustrator, there is another way to add shadows in digital art: creating gradients. Gradients allow you to gradually blend one color into another while creating different levels of contrast along that gradient line. This method works especially well when creating abstract pieces or backgrounds with subtle shading changes.
Conclusion: No matter which program you use for your digital art projects, adding shadows is an essential skill for any artist looking to take their work up a notch. Whether you prefer more control over your shadows with Photoshop brushes or subtle gradients with Illustrator’s gradients tool, there are various ways to add realistic-looking shadows in your digital artwork.