Lighting has always been one of the biggest challenges for me in my art. I used to avoid complex light sources because I found it overwhelming to figure out how shadows should fall or how light interacts with different textures. Whenever I attempted to incorporate lighting, it often felt flat or unrealistic, and I’d end up frustrated, unsure how to make it work.
However, I’ve slowly been learning and practicing, and the process has been amazing. By studying how light behaves in real life, watching tutorials, and practicing in my digital and traditional pieces, I’m beginning to understand the fundamentals. I’ve been experimenting with different light sources—soft and hard lighting, backlighting, and dramatic shadows—and seeing my progress has been so rewarding.
Each time I sit down to practice, I notice improvements in how I capture depth and mood in my work. While I still have a long way to go, I feel more confident tackling lighting now than I ever have before. There’s something magical about seeing how light can completely transform a piece, bringing it to life in new and unexpected ways. It’s been a challenging journey, but one that has deepened my love for creating art.