Light and dark in fine art
I can review the range of ways artists have been inspired by light and dark in Fine Art.
- Year 10
Light and dark in fine art
I can review the range of ways artists have been inspired by light and dark in Fine Art.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Artists can use light and dark to create mood, atmosphere and contrast in artworks.
- We can find symbolic meanings of light and darkness across different cultures and art movements.
- Artists can experiment with using light and shadow to define form, space and focus in their own artwork.
Keywords
Chiaroscuro - the use of strong contrasts between light and dark to create depth and drama in a drawing or painting
Silhouette - a dark shape or outline of something against a lighter background, showing only the outline with no internal detail
Contrast - the difference between elements (like light and dark or rough and smooth) that makes parts of an artwork stand out
Common misconception
Light and dark are only used to make things look realistic, not to create mood.
This overlooks how artists intentionally use contrast to suggest emotion, tension, calm, or drama, not just realism.
Equipment
Access to the internet or a library of art books. Sketchbook or paper for recording ideas, pencils, pens.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does "tone" mean in art?
Q2.A is the area of darkness caused by an object blocking light.
Q3.What is a "highlight" in visual art?
Q4.An artwork’s is how its shapes, colours and objects are arranged.
Q5.Match the keywords with their definitions:
