The Magic of Shading, How to Draw with Value

Basic Hand Holds for Creating Values

We will learn about the Handholds "The Tripod Grip" and the "Baton Handhold or Overhand Grip." We will also learn about how to create flat values using the "Elbow Swing", the "Wrist Swing" and the "Finger Swing". Using your pencils create chunks of value with each of your five pencils to get to know their range.

The Grayscale

The Ten Keys of Drawing

We will start this 3 part series to create a grayscale. Start by attaching a piece of drawing paper to a drawing board. Using a ruler create a ten step scale, 10 inches tall and 1 1/2 inches wide. Mark off ten one inch increments. Using the pencils we will create the grayscale or value scale. The lightest value is ten and the darkest step is one. Grab your pencils and let's get started!

I have included a grayscale image as a resource.

Creating the Grayscale Part 2

We continue with creating the grayscale. Using the "wrist swing" and the "finger swing" we will use these techniques continue to develop the grayscale. Through layering the different pencils we will create a full range of value. Let's continue to develop our grayscale!

Finishing The Prize

We continue to fill in and modify the grayscale until we have a full range of values. Once the grayscale is finished use the grayscale to check the values of the objects that you will draw. Also memorize the the numbers on the value scale so if I mention that a value is a step 4 on the scale you will have an idea how dark or light the value is I identified.

Create Shading and Value Gradations

In this lecture we explore how to create gradations of value. The tips and techniques to give you the best results when drawing.

Looking for Forms Shadows

The good news for us as artists is the making something look 3d is simple. Our drawing just have to show the correct relationship of the form shadows. What even better news is there are only six form shadows and if we capture those in our drawings they will have depth. It does take practice and the more we draw the better we get but, it is much easier once to know what we are looking for when we draw. So let's get started discussing form shadows.

Drawing the Sphere Where the Adventure Begins

We will start the drawing of our 3D forms with the sphere! The sphere has all 6 form shadows to make it look round. The video is in 2 two parts. Let's start by taping down a nice piece of drawing paper. The use a can of some sort that is round and trace out a circle. This is so we can focus on the values and ignore the contour drawing of the circle. The start the video and start creating values with me. This was done from my memory but I will include a similar photo to help you see the form shadows.

I have included a reference photo as a resource.

Join Me to Finish Our Drawing The Sphere Continued

We will continue to layer the different pencils and transition into using gradations over the top of the flat tones. Remember to use a light touch as you draw. Another tip I can't remember if I shared this but you have more control from the back or the end of the pencil than the front so don't hold the pencil towards the back instead of the front unless you are filling in a very small area. This will help you to have more control over your drawing. Let's get started!

The Drawing Fun Is Just Beginning!

Now let's draw the cube. Let's get a new piece of drawing and affix it to our drawing board. Grab your pencils and let's get started. Now since the cube is flat it only has 5 form shadows. No "core shadow" on the cube. So we only have 5 form shadows to worry about.

Go ahead and draw the cube using "3 sets of 3 lines that are parallel" like we covered the Power of Line. Straightened your lines with a ruler. Remember to keep your lines light. Now let gets started drawing the cube!

I have included a reference photo as a resource.

Returning to Finish Our Drawing of the Cube

We will continue to fill in the form shadows on our cube. I will use the "h" pencils to fill in the paper texture. Remember to use those pencils lightly or they will dig lines into the paper. So use a light touch holding the pencil near the back and finish your wonderful drawing of the cube.

Let's Get Exotic and Draw the Pyramid

Let's draw some more flat planes. Like the cube we are drawing something with flat planes. Since it's not round again we have no "core shadow" but there is something else with a couple of exceptions you can rarely see more than 2 sides of the pyramid so we only have 4 form shadows to worry about instead of 5. So fix a piece of paper to your drawing board. Grab your pencils lightly sketch the pyramid and let's get started drawing this fascinating shape!

I have included a reference photo as a resource.

The Wonderful Cone

The cone is so much fun and always reminds of ice cream and simpler times. The cone is curved and so we need to look for all 6 form shadows. Remember the "core shadow" is located where the light and shadow come together. Grab your drawing board and a piece of paper and slightly draw a cone. Let's get started on drawing this wonderful shape!

I have included a reference photo as a resource.

Raising to The Challenge, Finishing the Cone!

As we return to the cone I need to work the shadows. Remember to build the shadows up slowly by layering the different pencil. Getting the core shadow to have enough of a gradation to not look like a line is the biggest challenge. So are the surrounding values. As we progress to more challenging drawing we will begin to understand the surrounding values are just as important and sometimes more important than the main object. This is what takes the greatest majority of time when we draw. So let's roll up our sleeves and finish our drawing of the cone.

Last But Not Forgotten The Cylinder

The cylinder is a curious shape. It is flat on the top and bottom and round across it's belly. So we have 6 form shadow on this shape. It's really a fun one. Again take care to build the values slowly. Start by drawing a light cylinder then jump in and start drawing. Let's get started!

I have included a reference photo as a resource.

Finishing the Cylinder

You are probably familiar the process by now. We will continue to establish the values and then using the "H" pencils to nuance the values and soften texture. We are really looking to try and take the drawing as far as we can trying to make it look 3D. The cylinder is one of the most challenging shapes. Join me as we finish drawing this amazing shape.

Let's Talk About Drawing the Pear

Picking up from where we left off with the class The Power of Line. We go over the process for creating a line drawing of the pear using sighting, construction, axis lines and adding the approach of breaking curves lines into straight sections of line. Join me and let's get started!!

practice drawing creating a line drawing of the pear with the photo reference below.

Learning About Planes

To Improve Your Drawing

Understanding and seeing the planes of the pear will help you to draw it more realistically. It will clarify your drawing and make it more accurate.

Lets Learn About

Mapping The Shadow Shapes!

Before we start adding values we need to understand how to identify and record the main shadow shapes. Let's get started!

practice with the included photo reference or set up your own object and light source and pratice making shadow shapes!

Leveling Up! Drawing the Pear

Let's get start drawing this wonderful fruit. The form of this fruit is a cone merged with a sphere. We need to take the know we learned drawing our basic shapes to tackle this drawing. Use the techniques we learned in the Power of line to draw the Pear. Once we draw the pear map out the form shadow shapes using basic shapes or alphanumeric shapes. Then we will jump in to create form shadow of the pear. There will be 6 forms shadows then the cast shadow and occlusion shadow(where the pear touches the table. Then we will slowly develop the drawing. Let's get started drawing the pear!

I have included a reference photo as a resource.

You've Entered A New World of Drawing

Welcome to the end of the beginning. Form shadows and shading is what you use no matter your level of drawing to create illusions of depth. Now you are ready for the next steps. In my intermediate classes we will create small still life arrangements using contour lines and value in unison the create very sophisticated drawings. I hope to see you in future classes. Take care. Keep Drawing!!