There are at least three ways to light a scene: from a source shining outside a picture, from a light inside the picture that you can easily see, or from inside the scene that’s concealed from view~James Gurney (Color and Light).
Along with planning shadow shapes goes an equal amount of planning light, determining the source and shape it takes in your painting. If anything, correct (or incorrect) light source can be easily detected by the naked eye of the viewer.
- Pay attention to the effect light has on the colors of the surrounding objects in the paintings.
- To help determine the source, use dark colors to enhance the feeling of the light
Richard D. Burton: Detail of “Old Woodie”
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