Light and Shade: A Classic Approach to Three-Dimensional Drawing

By Mary Philadelphia Merrifield

Book Overview

"Form," writes the author, "is developed by means of light and shade; without these every object would appear flat." Originally published in the mid-nineteenth century, this classic approach to three-dimensional drawing was the first book to provide art students with instructions for correctly illustrating perspective outlines of various objects.
An art historian noted for her authoritative reference works, Merrifield clearly demonstrates the principles of light and shade by revealing the effects of common daylight, sunshine, and candle or artificial light on geometrical solids. Her simple explanations are accompanied by illustrations of cubes, prisms, pyramids, cylinders, spheres, ovals, and cones.
As useful and practical today as it was when first published well over a century ago, Light and Shade provides beginning and advanced art students with valuable insights into effective drawing and sketching.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486441431
• ISBN13: 9780486441436
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 44 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 5.9" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

light and shade review

This is a compact guide to the use of light and shade in drawing. It is a solid tool for the person starting out to the more experienced artist. I would recomend this book especially for art departments in schools as well as libraries where the general public can access it when needed. Also good for parents helping children to develop that third dimension with depth and texture within their art from a relatively early age. This book is easy to understand and follow. However, for the younger artist, there is a fair bit of reading involved and as such may require an adults assistance at times just to help get the concepts right early on. All in all a very good book for it's target group.

drawing to dos

this is as good a book as any when it comes to teaching techniques, i would give it a try to those interested in this stuff

Shade & Light

I have had to re-read this little book over and over to fully grasp the nature of light explained in it. It is a good little reference book to have, however it is one that needs to be re-read several times to really understand what is being explained. I still need to re-read it some more! The language it is written in is a little out dated but still it is worth picking up if you are serious about your art.