How to Draw with Realistic Shading

A three-dimensional drawing will still look flat or two-dimensional without the aid of shading., If we visualize a light source at the upper left of the image, we can simulate an object as 3 dimensional by adding various layers of grey (one darker...

15 Steps 1 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: A three-dimensional drawing will still look flat or two-dimensional without the aid of shading.

    Start by using the lightest gray or white along the area nearest to the light.

    You can use various shades of pencil or coloring tools to create this effect. ,, This is commonly used in illustrations and comics.

    In other print media, the printing process uses "halftone" printing, which prints small dots of varying sizes to simulate shading. , The sketch used here was created using an image of the actress Milla Jovovich.

    I sketched the image using a very dark rough pencil and only drew the darkest parts of the image. ,,,,
  2. Step 2: If we visualize a light source at the upper left of the image

  3. Step 3: we can simulate an object as 3 dimensional by adding various layers of grey (one darker than the next).

  4. Step 4: If the layers of grey are blended together where the each shade meets

  5. Step 5: It can further simulate the appearance of volume and solidity.

  6. Step 6: This effect can also be done using pen and ink

  7. Step 7: by drawing intersecting lines drawn on top of one another to simulate the appearance and layers of shading from light to dark.

  8. Step 8: Here's an example of shading using various layers of grey.

  9. Step 9: Leaving the lightest part of the image as white

  10. Step 10: the rest of the sketch was shaded with a light shaded coloring tool.

  11. Step 11: Using a slightly darker shade of coloring tool

  12. Step 12: the next darker areas of the image were shaded.

  13. Step 13: A darker shade of coloring tool was used to shade the darkest areas of the image.

  14. Step 14: By blending the edges of each shade using a blending tool

  15. Step 15: the final image now has a 3 dimensional appearance like a photograph.

Detailed Guide

Start by using the lightest gray or white along the area nearest to the light.

You can use various shades of pencil or coloring tools to create this effect. ,, This is commonly used in illustrations and comics.

In other print media, the printing process uses "halftone" printing, which prints small dots of varying sizes to simulate shading. , The sketch used here was created using an image of the actress Milla Jovovich.

I sketched the image using a very dark rough pencil and only drew the darkest parts of the image. ,,,,

About the Author

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Danielle Reyes

Enthusiastic about teaching creative arts techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.

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