Share Your Art on Sidechat | Guys help. How do I make the shading more dynamic?? It’s so flat and I want more depth without increasing contrast. I just want to add some more color complexity. The lighting is blue/cool toned in like a small room surrounded by brown bookshelves. Help!

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Share Your Art 3w

Guys help. How do I make the shading more dynamic?? It’s so flat and I want more depth without increasing contrast. I just want to add some more color complexity. The lighting is blue/cool toned in like a small room surrounded by brown bookshelves. Help!

52 upvotes, 10 comments. Sidechat image post by Anonymous in Share Your Art. "Guys help. How do I make the shading more dynamic?? It’s so flat and I want more depth without increasing contrast. I just want to add some more color complexity. The lighting is blue/cool toned in like a small room surrounded by brown bookshelves. Help!"

Anonymous 3w

Like genuinely please help me, I want more color dynamics

Anonymous 3w

This is my reference photo, I’m just not sticking with the same colors

Anonymous 3w

I usually add color that you wouldn’t think would make sense, but looks really beautiful when it’s blended out. Not sure this helps because I know each artist has a style! But just wanted to share. <3

Anonymous 3w

https://youtube.com/shorts/mWiL3lJHEZE?si=99emAc5E_s5_9nzB

Anonymous 3w

If it’s cool toned lighting honestly pick something a little green or a little purple to add more shading with and stick to it. Also consider what shadows would be cast on the surrounding environment

Anonymous 3w

I think on the face and hair if you really push those lights and shadows you’ll get what you’re looking for. You have a nice color basis. Some harder lighting on those high points and more depth in the shadows. Also, never ever shade with true black—it’ll make it look dull with all of your naturals. I would also avoid pure white except on super hard lights like metallic (even then I wouldn’t). Adding some branch colors too for things like your skin—there’s charts of it out there is helpful too!

Anonymous

#2 3w

This guy has GREAT vids on shading

Anonymous

#4 3w

Also if you’re feeling funky, that sweater should give you some reflective lighting depending on your surrounding light—so you can cast a bit of that red onto the face with some blending.

Anonymous

#4 3w

Unfortunately the sleeves are also gonna be black with the blue light around it. I just colored it bright orange so I could actually see the sleeves until I color switch it

Anonymous

OP 3w

You can also use reflective on that blue as well—depending on where that color is closest to. I would also be mindful about that hair with the sweater too so that it doesn’t blend in.