I can never get my shading to look smooth??

Question

It always looks like a bunch of messy lines

Answer 1

I start with a soft pencil around 2b-4b and shade lightly to start with as you can always add more as it can get messy when you start taking it off. Also try shading in the direction that you intend the surface to perform and keep at it. It should take a lot of time to get it looking perfect so be patient. As you work toward the darkest areas of the shading i tend to use a softer pencil perhaps about a 6b and keep using it as light as possible to ensure that i dont have to rub anything away. Although if you do need to use a rubber try using a putty rubber which you will be able to mould into any shape you may need. With this rubber you can very lightly, by dabbing the area, take off a slight layer of pencil off the paper which can be used very effectively to blend really accurately. i wouldn't suggest to smudge with your finger unless it is very very lightly because when you stand back and look at it the smudges can stand out especially in the light ares. Mainly just work with your soft pencils to see what sort of shades you can build up and remember that you can always add more!

Answer 2

smudge it , get a loly-pop such off the candy round off the end,
let dry then the perfrect tool . the other ones just fall apart. of use potoshop. if not take you time don't wear down to a fine edge. some times that griddiness makes a cool effect. like frank miller and hellboy / b.p.r.d.

solfter led is for rookies

Answer 3

You can blend your shading with a blending stump, your finger or tissue.

Answer 4

i find it easier to start with darker lines first and gradually decrease pressure on your pencil to make the lines lighter and lighter.

Answer 5

more practise...and patience of course...