Light and shadow in itself produces design.

Light shapes create the image; dark shapes create the pattern and the design. It is light shapes that give form; the dark shapes make the pattern.

Draw dark with one eye and with the other see the light.

Shadow shapes must describe either structure or the form on which it lies.

Lay out form and action first, then indicate the light and shadow pattern.

The shadow pattern may look right, but more often than not it is the light pattern that is wrong.

Turn your drawing upside down and ask yourself how it might be improved. A good, balanced pattern will still look good upside down.

In a drawing, try to keep open or white spaces as part of the design; they provide rest for the eye. Be aware of the positive nature of the paper left untouched. Doing thumbnail sketches will help you to see this. You can do anything with the darks so long as it is accurate where it meets the light.

See two main tones—a light area and a shadow area. Some variation within each. If you squint, you can narrow it down to two basic tones. Separate lights from shadows. Increase the contrast. Make all areas in the light a little lighter than you see them, and all areas in the shadow a little darker than you see them. the lightest light in the shadow is darker than the darkest dark in the light. The object is to make all lighted areas hold together as one group, as should the shadow areas. Otherwise, the subject will not hold together; it will lose vilidity.

Over modeling comes from incorrect values. One of the quickest ways to correct a problem is to clean up the light and dark areas, simplifying them. Reflected light should never be as light as the main lights. Draw them at least two values darker than anything in the light.

The eye instinctively goes to the light areas in a picture. The real problem is the half-tones: which goes to the light? Which goes to the shadow? Half tones with the light should be made lighter. Those with the shadow should be made darker. Squinting helps here. When it comes to half-tones, when it doubt, leave it out. Make certain that half-tones go around the form. If you don't, your drawing will look two-dimensional.

If two light half-tone passages appear to be equal, squint until one is almost lost to view. Obviously, the one that's almost lost to view is the lighter. Squinting prevents one from being engrossed in detail. It encompasses the total scene. Your drawing, viewed with eyes wide open, should look like the model does with your eyes half shut. Squinting also works with photographs.

Don't overstate highlights—it's a sure way to achieve over-modeling.

Eliminate lines between intercepting cast shadows, like a cat on a skylight.

Cast shadows should explain correctly the forms on which they lie.

When editing drawings at home, it should be a subtractive process: eraser, not pencil.

Eliminate where possible any lines between adjacent light and dark areas.

Consider drawing as a means of containing tone.

Strength in draftsmanship lies in the degree to which structure is depicted.

Make the paper more beautiful with every stroke added. Learn to ignore details, so tht you can draw details. Look for the big, basic truths.

Construction is more important than finish.

Light and shade by themselves create design.

The pattern of light makes the drawing, the positive nature of the paper left untouched.

One can do anything with the darks as long as it is accurate where it meets the light.

There are two main tones, that of the light area and that of the shadow area.

Execute your drawing in the fewest possible values. Make certain the half-tones go around the form; get it to turn.