Artistic Images/drawing tips/ Shading tips

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• Shading tips-

There are many ways to shade. You can use crosshatching. Using crisscrossing lines to build up levels of darkness. Use angled strokes, or soft circular motions to produce a  more modeled look.

Example of crosshatching;	Examples of angled strokes;		Example of softer circular strokes

In this drawing I used a combination of strokes. Notice the crosshatching used for the shadow under the nose, Also the combination of angled strokes and crosshatch throughout the drawing. I used different amounts of pressure, layers, and different size strokes to give the look I needed in each section. Don't use strokes that are too controlled. It's more of a slightly controlled scribbling. I even used some softer circling strokes on his chin and part of his lips. It helps to think about what you're drawing in order to decide what strokes you use. Men usually look better with crosshatching. I usually try to keep it a bit softer with women. Also hair can be done well with crosshatching, And it is very helpful to do beards, or stubble with some amounts of small crosshatching strokes and a bit of softer circular strokes. It all depends on the type of look you are going for. I use different techniques for different subjects and moods.

• It is important not to start out too dark and heavy. It is better to build up layers of value. However if you are shading in a very dark and large area it is easier to use a soft pencil, such as a 4b or higher, and use a little more pressure, and larger strokes. You still may need to build up layers.
• You can soften shading by smudging with a paper stump, or you can always use your finger in you don't have any available stumps.

• looking at values-
• It helps to start to look at things in three values. This always gives an immediate 3 dimensional look. Light, medium, dark.

Shading in steps-

I started with light , then medium, then darker as it gets away from the light source.	Next I blended them together to produce a dimensional look.	Next I added a highlight on the side closest to the light source, and a shadow on the opposite side.
Lastly I added reflected light on the dark side of the ball. Reflected light is found in the shadow area. It is formed by light that is reflected off of the surface underneath the object.	Reflected light is never as light as the light side of the object. The value of the reflected light I used under the ball, is the same value as in this area shown by the arrow. the reason the reflected light may appear lighter is because it is next to something dark. Anytime something light is placed directly next to something dark, it creates the illusion of being lighter than it really is.

• Learning to see values.
• The easiest way to recognize and separate values is to blur your vision by squinting, or unfocusing your eyes. You can always try taking off your glasses if you wear them.                                                                          
•  This computer sample will give you an idea of how the values become more obvious as you blur them. 

• Start out with three major values. You can add the in-betweens later. You don't want to get too carried away in every little value you see. Try to look at the blocks of values and learn to recognize them. Eventually you can get into all the individual values but start slow and build. It is a process. You have to build up values. Doing it step by step makes it easier. You can start with the dark values, then then medium, than light.
• You can judge the value of a color by comparing it to another part of the subject. If this is difficult for you , you can use a frame if you like. Cut out a small piece of illustration board and use it to isolate the values (so you are not distracted by the areas around it), and then move your frame to another part of your subject and compare it. See if its' lighter, or darker, or the same. You can do this with photos as well as with live models (from far away).
• You've started with the three values. Now what if you want to add more, like say the values in the teeth? They are so light compared to the others. So what do you do? Always remember; the one way to make something look lighter is to put something darker next to it. You can only get as light as the paper. So if you need to make something look lighter you can darken the values you already have, around it. You can do this gradually by adding a light coat of shading over the whole thing. Building up darkness. 
• If you build up your layers too dark, you can always take off graphite by using a kneaded eraser to dab some off. If you lose your detail in the shadows you can always build them back up. If you lose your highlights you can always go back on lighten them up with an eraser. It's a process. This is why it is best not to get too dark too soon. 
• Don't be so afraid that your draw too light. It's hard to take the plunge sometime, but if you find your drawings are lacking contrast, you may have to convince yourself to jump in a little deeper. It all takes practice and you will make mistakes. Probably get too dark, erase too much, maybe even ruin a drawing that started out nice. Don't be afraid of this. It is all part of learning. Don't be discouraged either.                                     
• You  don't have to put in every value you see. You can put in as little or as many as you want. It's up to you. I sometimes do very modeled or shaded drawings, but a lot of the time I leave a lot out. Its not necessary, and sometimes it makes a more interesting drawing to leave something to the imagination.

• Learn to be imperfect-
• Learning from your mistakes and small victories -
•  Look at the parts of your drawings that work. I have loads of unsuccessful drawings form my teenage years that I just couldn't get myself to throw away. Some of them are great, but one eye is crooked, or the paper is torn from over erasing, etc. There were parts of the drawing that worked, parts I was proud of, parts that I learned a lot from. I didn't show them off to people, but some of them have special meaning to me.  I have a 5 foot painting of Rembrandt in my tool shed outside. I did it in art school. I don't like most of it. I wasn't satisfied with it. But the hand. The hand is exactly what I wanted. It's how I always dreamed of painting, and  I finally did. I love that painting for that hand. I'm proud of that hand. It taught me so much that I was able to use in my next painting. It is important to recognize your achievements, even if the picture isn't perfect.