Photographers understand that faces can change significantly depending on how they are lit. Illustrators also know this. Faces obscured are ominous. Below are examples of ominous faces making use of shadow.
NACHTMERRIE OVER NEDERLAND (1945) L.J. JordaanTHE PSALMS FOR MODERN LIFE (1933) Arthur Wragg, man in front of sexual health clinic, ‘Absolute Secrecy’Poster Art 1932 Fantomas, illustrator not foundPoster by Achille Luciano Mauzan, 1913‘Soldier and Girl Sleeping,’ (1942) probably of William Scott (the artist) and his wife MaryPeder Krøyer’s 1882 portrait is of Anna Ancher, one of the great Danish artists
Obscuring the eyes is an effective way of creating horror. In the illustration below, the deep-set eyes are entirely in shadow, or perhaps the eyes are not even there.
Fear (1945, L. Ron. Hubbard) illustration by Edd Cartier psychological horrorBaffling Mysteries magazine 1952When the top half of a face is in shadow, it can mimic the look of wearing a bandit mask. The villain in this image also has a green tinge to his skin, another marker of ‘evil’. (See: Why are witches green?)Here’s another example of a scary face in shadow, though in this case the villain really is wearing a mask.The face lit up as if through open blinds has a specifically detective story feel about it. Robert Maguire (1921 – 2005) 1959 book cover illustration for ‘Negative Of A Nude’ by Charles E. Fritch, although this art was used for several other titles tooHangsaman by Shirley Jackson an unforgettable novel of suspense
In children’s books, shadows aren’t utilised as often, apart from grounding shadows an unobtrusive indications of light-source. That’s because most picture books aren’t meant to be scary. However, the picture books of Chris Van Allsburg are a notable exception. Starting out as a sculptor, Van Allsburg makes heavy use of shadows, to the point where his shadows carry meaning.
Chris Van Allsburg, ‘The Hooded Congregation’, ”Ghosts” by Time-Life Books, 1984.from The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, meeting the magician face to faceCover by Marcello Dudovich, (1878 – 1962) 1930. This looks like death warmed up.Photo Magazin July 1953. The shadow across this guy’s face almost looks like a Rorschach test.Mead Schaeffer (1898 – 1980)Not a face but ominous all the same. Art by Leopoldo Metlicovitz with the Cathedral (duomo) of Milan in the distance, 1906.Mead Schaeffer (1898 – 1980) Jacob Kramer (1892–1962) DoloresJulian Alden Weir (American, 1852-1919) Anna, 1886
FURTHER READING
Chiaroscuro is a stylistic art term derived from the Italian word, meaning “light-dark” (chiaro meaning bright and scuro meaning dark). While working with tonal contrast can be traced back to ancient times, the term chiaroscuro emerged during the Italian Renaissance.
CONTEMPORARY FICTION SET IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND (2023)
On paper, things look fine. Sam Dennon recently inherited significant wealth from his uncle. As a respected architect, Sam spends his days thinking about the family needs and rich lives of his clients. But privately? Even his enduring love of amateur astronomy is on the wane. Sam has built a sustainable-architecture display home for himself but hasn’t yet moved into it, preferring to sleep in his cocoon of a campervan. Although they never announced it publicly, Sam’s wife and business partner ended their marriage years ago due to lack of intimacy, leaving Sam with the sense he is irreparably broken.
Now his beloved uncle has died. An intensifying fear manifests as health anxiety, with night terrors from a half-remembered early childhood event. To assuage the loneliness, Sam embarks on a Personal Happiness Project:
