can anybody teach me how to put realistic shades in my drawings?

Question

i just want to get my drawings to look better

Answer 1

for basics: always figure out where the light source comes from. Assume first that there is always one major light source. Depending on how "dark" do you like your settings to be, and the shape and volume of your objects, shade in the areas blocked from the light source. Give shadows to where they are due. Usually, the ultra dark is the farthest away from the light source, and the highlights are the nearest, especially surfaces that reflect the lightsource like metals, shiny objects etc. For skin tone, its very difficult the shading is subtle, i suggest you consult a photo first.

Later on: double lighting effect. In reality, there is usually more than one light source. Some maybe stronger in intensity than the others, but the others cannot be ignored. Hence we get ultradarks not at the edge of the object but somewhere within...

Answer 2

A good exercise is to use light and dark pastels on medium-toned paper. That way you're filling in the lights and shadows and the paper tone is the base tone of the object. It's a great way to get yourself used to adding dimension to your work by shading. Good luck!

Answer 3

u know i hav a prob with htis too. The best way i think is to draw as u see, forget about direction of light source, if there is a dark area make it dark, if there is a light area make it light. Cuz if u go with direction theory than u start makin stuff up, but this way is more sensible to grasp

Answer 4

Find your light source. Where ever the light is coming from you draw the shade at the opposite location. It;s really quit simple if you think about it.

Answer 5

First let me tell you that technically good photos does not always make them good.

If you want to work more on your shadows, I would play around with Adobe PhotoShop. Put a photo with shadows in to the program, then click on the filter with the pencil markings, it will give you different looks for pencil, and other media. Find one that you like and practice with it.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Find a place where light source value show dark and light shade of value.

Answer 7

use drawing pencils...mix up your line weights for more "pop"

only smudge shadows once...

start drawing from the top and work your way down- less messy

Answer 8

look & study the old master painting see and feel it look at the cool colors and warm color and the mid tone a 3 point light? what's the emotion enegry from it.

Answer 9

you should show what you think into you picture that you will draw.

Answer 10

wow.i,mm amazed at all the academic artists that have answered your simple question..................**** them..and their euro centric crap follow your heart...............................