Easy Shadow and Highlight Placement for Stress-Free Coloring

Shadows and highlights don’t have to be complicated! If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out where the light hits and where the shadows should go, here’s my simple rule: shadows on one side, highlights on the other.

For this coloring page, there wasn’t an obvious light source, so I imagined the sun coming from the right (in front of the van). That meant all my shadows went on the left and all my highlights on the right. It’s an easy trick that works every time!

Pick a Light Direction

• If there’s a window or light source in the image, use that as your guide.
• If not, just choose a side! Light from the right? Shadows go on the left. Light from the left? Shadows go on the right.#

Apply Shadows First

• Use a darker tone to shade areas furthest from the light.
• Keep it consistent across the whole image for a natural look.
  

Add Highlights

• Use a white gel pen or a lighter marker on the side closest to the light.
• This helps objects look more 3D without overthinking the details.

Pens: Ohuhu Markers

Book: Litte Corner by Coco Wyo

It’s easy to stress over getting shadows and highlights "right," but honestly? It doesn’t have to be that hard!

Just stick to one side for shadows and the other for highlights, and your coloring will look balanced and natural. This trick keeps coloring fun and stress-free!