This blog post addresses the question “How to use color for shadowing and contrast?” asked by a student in my Watercolor Mini-Course.
Every object placed in daylight or artificial light will cast shadows and have shadows. The shadows vary according to the time of day or the direction of the light, and if the light is diffused by clouds in the sky or nearby objects. Contrasts between the object and its shadows are the differences between the tonal values dark and light, color temperatures warm and cool, and complementary colors.
Color In Shadows
There are three distinct shadows visible when objects are lit by direct light, they are:
- Core Shadow – the dark band visible where light and shadow meet at the point where light no longer reaches the object
- Reflected Light – the light that bounces off the surface of nearby objects and reflects back onto the object
- Cast Shadow – the shadow created by the object itself blocking the light on the surface the object rests on
The above image illustrates the core shadow, reflected light and shadow, and the cast shadow of the banana. The bright light source creates a strong contrast of light and dark tonal values, in color contrast of warm and cool colors, and in the contrast of two complementary colors – Yellow < > Purple < or > the split-complement Blue-Purple.
How the Light Source Affects Shadow Color
The color seen in a shadow is not created by the object alone—it is strongly influenced by the color temperature of the light source.
- Warm light (late afternoon sun, incandescent bulbs) produces cooler shadows
- Cool light (overcast skies, north-facing light, fluorescent lighting) produces warmer shadows
- Artificial indoor lighting can introduce unexpected shadow colors such as blue-violet, green, or muted reds
Understanding the light source explains why shadows naturally shift toward complementary or split-complementary colors rather than appearing gray or black.
Contrasting Colors
Think opposites:
- warm < > cool color temperature
- dark < > light tonal value
- color < > complementary color
The color Yellow in the banana has a warm temperature, a light tonal value, and is the complementary color opposite the Purple visible in the shadow.
The color Purple in the cast shadow of the Yellow banana has a cool temperature, a dark tonal value, and is the complementary color opposite of Yellow.
Local Color vs. Perceived Color in Shadows
Local color is the true color of an object under neutral light.
Perceived color is how that color changes due to light direction, shadow, reflected light, and surrounding colors.
In watercolor painting, shadows rarely contain black or gray. Instead, they contain:
- Modified versions of the object’s local color
- Reflected colors from nearby surfaces
- Cooler or warmer shifts based on the light source
This is why shadows feel more believable when they are painted with color rather than neutral mixes.
Reflected Color Inside Shadows
Shadows are not flat or uniform. The reflected light within a shadow often contains color from surrounding objects.
For example:
- A yellow object near a red surface may reflect red into its shadow
- A white object near grass may reflect green into its shadow
- Reflected light is usually lighter and warmer than the core shadow
Careful observation of reflected color adds realism and depth to watercolor paintings.
Hard and Soft Shadow Edges
Hard and soft edges tell the viewer how strong or diffused the light source is.
- Hard edges indicate strong, direct light and higher contrast
- Soft or lost edges indicate diffused light or atmospheric conditions
- Cast shadows often have a sharp edge closest to the object and soften as they move away
In watercolor, controlling edge softness depends on timing, paper moisture, and brush control.
How to Create Shadows
Observation and understanding of color is key.
Use this Color Wheel page as a resource to find my blog posts about the 12 colors on the color wheel and their color schemes.
Look closely at the object to be painted, and determine its dominant local color.
Look closely at the object’s cast shadow, and determine what complementary color it is.
- Yellow < > Purple
- Yellow-Green < > Red-Purple
- Green < > Red
- Blue-Green < > Red-Orange
- Blue < > Orange
- Yellow-Orange < > Blue-Purple
For corresponding watercolor paint names for the above see What Watercolors To Buy.
NOTE: The hue PURPLE is labeled as the color VIOLET by most watercolor paint brands.
Chromatic Shadows vs. Neutral Shadows
There is more than one correct approach to painting shadows.
- Chromatic shadows (using complements or split-complements) appear luminous and expressive
- Neutralized shadows (mixing complements to gray) feel subtle and realistic
Your choice depends on the subject, lighting conditions, and mood you wish to convey.
Value Does More Work Than Color
While color enhances realism, value establishes form.
- A shadow must always be darker than the local color to read as a shadow
- Even if the hue varies, correct value relationships create believable depth
- When in doubt, check value first, color second
Watercolor Techniques for Painting Shadows
Use transparent watercolors and/or semi-transparent watercolors, never opaque or semi-opaque watercolors. Why? Because shadows are transparent. You can see the color of the surface beneath the shadow.
For the best results when painting shadows:
- Build shadows gradually using glazing and layering
- Allow each layer to dry before applying the next
- Preserve lighter reflected light areas inside the shadow
Common Mistakes When Painting Shadows
- Using black or gray straight from the tube
- Making all shadows the same color
- Ignoring reflected light
- Painting shadows too dark too early, leaving no room to glaze
Avoiding these habits leads to more convincing and luminous watercolor paintings.
Practice Exercise: Understanding Shadow Color
Try this simple exercise:
- Paint one object under warm light with cool shadows
- Paint the same object under cool light with warm shadows
- Change the background color and observe how reflected light alters the shadow
This exercise strengthens observation skills and reinforces how light, color, and value work together.