Shading is what takes a drawing from looking two dimensional, to appearing as if it has volume and form. Shading techniques give the artist more control over the values produced, whilst creating texture and depth.
Pencil shading is a fundamental aspect of drawing, an unavoidable step that we can’t skip and a lesson we need to learn in order to master pencil drawing. By effectively using shading techniques you’ll be able to make your drawings come to life, adding texture, dimension and character to your art.
This tutorial shows you a few shading tips that can help your pencil shading drawing skills as well as your pen drawing skills. Learning how to shade with a pencil is very synonymous with shading with a pen, which is why you should try all these techniques in both mediums.
Become a better artist in minutes with our guide to shading for drawings. Discover easy and advanced shading techniques with Gathered.
Learn how to master shading with a simple value study of three apples. This beginner-friendly tutorial teaches you to see and recreate lights, mid-tones, and darks to make your drawings more realistic and three-dimensional.
Struggling with pencil shading? In this video, learn how to shade a drawing using a clear, 4-step roadmap for realistic results!
Learn basic shading techniques used to create the illusion of form, light, and shadow in drawings.
You can practice with the shading techniques introduced in this tutorial, or create your very own :) Try using them in your own drawings and see how each technique changes the way your shading looks.
Shading creates the illusion of depth in your drawing by adding dark shadows and bright highlights. When you want to add more contrast to your drawings or make them appear 3D, different shades help you achieve a realistic look.