This fact in itself serves proof of “the eye seeing only what it is on the look-out for, and it may even be there are things just as wonder
In Leonardo da Vinci’s Treatise on Painting, paragraph 178 says,
The first object of a painter is to make a simple flat surface appear like a relievo, and some of its parts detached from the ground; he who excels all others in that part of the art deserves the greatest praise,
In terms of line drawing versus light and shade from the artist’s point of view, the outlines of parts of the human figure are very similar, but the “knowledge of the situation, quality and quantity of the shadows [are] infinite, requiring the most extensive study.” (Leonardo da Vinci, Treatise on Painting, paragraph 178)
You can practice line drawing daily with this shape exercises tutorial »
Charles Bargue’s Cours De Dessin is and excellent way to learn and practice the art of light and shade (also known as chiaroscuro). You can see some examples of this in the Art Gallery Portfolio, here is one from the level 2 Bargues which I rendered in graphite in 2007.
Level 2 Bargue Tone Study, Hand Holding a Whetstone by Peter McClory, Graphite on Canson Paper after Charles Bargue
Pages: 1 2
Tags: Chiaroscuro, Line Drawing