Painting different shades of color?

Question

Here's an example (the left picture): http://www.interactiveartschool.com/free-lessons/Apple-CompositeforLesson8.jpg

What techniques do you recommend/use for making a smooth shades of color?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Looks like you want to paint it in black & white, am I right? There are at least a dozen methods of shading using just black ink. But if you want it to look smooth like that, try glazing with acrylics.

Start with a smooth white background. Make a mixture of Carbon Black acrylic paint and gloss acrylic medium, about 10 parts medium to 1 part paint.

Cover all but the whitest area with the glaze, let dry, and then cover all but the second lightest area, let dry, etc., using many layers until you get to the deepest value of black. You can blend the area between the layers lightly while the glaze is still wet with a brush moistened with just gloss medium.

Have fun.

Answer 2

What medium are you using? Oils? Thin it down with turp and linseed oil...Acrylcs? Use a bit of water and matte medium...not too much. In either case, lay down a color, and another color, and with a medium flat brush (clean) blend the two colors using the thinner (turps or water) ever so lightly. Practice, practice and more practice to get it right.
By the way: A shade of color is that color mixed with black. A tint is that color mixed with white. Better to avoid this until you learn values...try painting without black or white and you'll end up farther ahead than those who can't stop using either...wrongly..