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Shading

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Shading can be a difficult concept to grasp let alone execute!
Today, we will learn a few techniques to help you prepare to start a portrait drawing of your own!
You may practice along with us in your notebook to get a good handle on things!
Working on shading before starting a drawing helps refresh our minds and focus in on the fundamentals of art.

One of the best ways to practice shading is to start by drawing a few solid objects.
Let’s start with a simple circle.

What is the most important element that affects the values you will apply to a circle?
Light!

To locate your light source you need only look at the object you are drawing.

If you are making it up the same principle applies, only this time you choose the light source. …show more content…

That’s ok! Just use your eraser to fix it!

If you have trouble erasing dark lines, try easing up on the pencil next time.

Give it another go with a different light source now!

See how practice helps a lot!?
Now we can transfer this skill to a facial feature!
Remember, when you are drawing any features, you want to locate the light source and avoid using very many hard contour lines.
Shading will give you the effect of line, depth and shape.
You can start off a nose by breaking its form down into shapes!
Don’t overlap the side of the nose with the nostrils.
Erase the middle of the circles but leave the points where there is overlap.
Find your light source and start to shade where you see darks!
You may use hatch marks just don’t draw too hard!

You will have a hard time erasing your mistakes if you do!
Don’t forget to shade with the objects curves and honor flat areas to give it a more realistic look.
When you think you have it right, go ahead and blend if you want!
You may use your eraser to brighten the highlight areas that are hit with direct light!

Feel free to fix areas you are not happy with or start a new nose!
Don’t worry about making every drawing

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