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Shading in Art - Rose with Shading

Basic Pencil Shading - Getting Started

After the line drawing is done, it's always gratifying to add realistic shading to it. Shading makes the subject look three dimensional and solid. Here's an easy technique with instructions and a practice lesson to help you learn it.

Before you Start - How to Hold the Pencil

Use an overhand grip for these exercises. (Shown in the photo to the right.) Fill a sheet of scrap paper with broad marks made with the side of the lead until you're comfortable working with a pencil held this way.

Supplies

B or HB Pencil
Drawing Paper
I used a Derwent B Drawing Pencil and Canson Cream Drawing Paper.

how to hold a pencil

Shading Made With the Side of the Pencil

Make this kind of shading with the side of the lead held at a low angle. A back and forth motion creates a textured shading that's easy to control.

Practice this technique until you're able to make a graduated hatch like the one to the right.
shading made with the side of the pencil
  • Using light pressure, make short back and forth motions with your pencil. Make the hatch marks in the same direction but vary their length so that they'll blend well as you add more. (Make them between a 1/2 and 3/4 inches long.)
  • Instead of pressing harder to create a darker value, go over the area several times until it darkens.

Practice Lesson - Shade a Simple Ball
Ball and Shadow Model
This type of shading can be used to add value to just about any subject, but it's a good idea to start out with something simple while you're learning how to create it.

Use this ball as a practice model. Save it and print it, or open the next page of the lesson in a different browser window so you can look at this ball as you read through and draw the steps in part two.
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© Carol Rosinski 2008
The writing and images on this page are the copyrighted work of Carol Rosinski and cannot be used without her permission.
Purdy the Toad I've been growing Toad Hollow Studio since 1998.