Contributor: Brian Anthony. Lesson ID: 11865
Light doesn't just lighten objects; it creates darkness as well, in the form of shadows. Just like the shadow that follows you, they tell where the light is coming from. Learn the shading technique!
We live in a world of light and shadows.
Look around you and point to the place in the room with the brightest light. Then, point to the spot in the room with the darkest shadow.
One of the life lessons we can take away from art is that there is no light without shadow.
In fact, shading is one of the main ways that artists show light.
Take a look at the four sketches below and observe how the artist used shading to show a light source. Answer these questions for each.
Next, read a tutorial on Shading Techniques - How to Shade with a Pencil. As you read, write down the six shading techniques the author presents, and a brief description about how the effect is achieved.
When you are finished, reflect on the following questions.
You have a little more understanding now about the techniques artists use to show light and shadow.
In the Got It? section, take a look at some of the sketches from great artists and see if you can identify the techniques they used.