In order to learn how to paint shadows in landscapes, it is important to understand types of shadows, types of light sources, and the temperature of shadows when painting landscapes. This article will explain briefly what you need to know when you are painting shadows in landscapes. 

There are three types of shadows in landscapes: cast shadows, form shadows,and open shadows.

Types of Shadows:

Cast shadows in landscapes are shadows that appear when an object blocks the sunlight and then the shadow of that object is layed down beside it or behind it. Cast shadows should always painted with cool colors.

Open shadows are shadows that receive their color from objects other than the sky and are universally warm in temperature. They should be painted with warm colors.

Form shadows are shadows that appear on the object that is not facing the sun and should be painted with warm colors.

Photo example of shadows

*Notice in the photograph that the tree casts a shadow on the sand and almost has a bluish tint or cool color shadow. The form shadow looks rather warm with brown tones and the open shadow underneath the log is also warm with an orange brown tone.

Light Sources:

In landscapes you have two powerful light sources, your primary light source and the reflected light from the sky. Both of these light sources have different temperatures. In a direct light source such from the sun, the temperature is always warm, whereas the secondary light source "the sky" is always cool.

Temperatures of shadows:

When painting landscapes it is important to keep in mind the temperature of the shadows. Is it warm or cool? Then you can decide what colors to choose to paint your shadows. Warm colors that suggest warmth are red, yellow and orange. Colors that suggest coolness are blue, green and violet.

A warm light source (the sun)makes warm colors on light struck sides. Warm light produces relatively cool cast shadows.

Summary:

Cast shadows are cool. Open shadows are warm. Form shadows tend to be warm.