Final answer:
The use of blacks, whites, and beiges by artists to create shadows and reflections is known as chiaroscuro. Tints are created by adding white, while shades are formed by adding black, assisting in depicting light and shadow effectively. Control over light direction is also essential for creating the illusion of three dimensions in a two-dimensional space.
Step-by-step explanation:
The blacks, whites, and beiges that artists use to create shadows and reflections in their artwork are integral to the technique known as chiaroscuro. This term describes the use of light and shade to give the impression of three dimensions on a two-dimensional surface. It is a method that was revolutionized by painters like Constable and Delacroix who moved away from using dull, dark glazes for shadows and instead employed a spectrum of colors to represent them more realistically.
Adding white to a color creates a tint, which can be used to represent reflected light or areas that are hit by light more directly. Conversely, adding black to a color creates a shade, which can indicate areas of an object that are in shadow. This play between lightness and darkness, density and intensity, is crucial for creating the illusion of size and shape within the confines of a flat canvas.
Controlling the direction of light is another way to generate the illusion of depth. When light comes from a certain direction, it casts shadows that delineate forms, implying a three-dimensional space. Artists may also use the absence of light, or backlighting, to create a silhouette effect, which highlights the shape of an object but not its details.