Pencil shading is a special type of art. Examples of poor quality shading

This article will focus on drawing with a pencil. If you want to learn how to draw, but can't get started, now is the time to start learning. Take a sheet of paper, a pencil and try it :) Let's start with drawing techniques.

Pencil drawing technique

There are two main drawing techniques - shading and pencil shading.

Hatching

Using strokes (short lines) you can very successfully convey the tone of an object. Depending on the number of strokes drawn, you can get different levels tone saturation (the fewer strokes, the lighter the tone, the more strokes, the darker). By the direction of the strokes you can convey the texture of the surface of the figure. For example, horizontal strokes will convey the surface of the water well, and vertical strokes will convey the grass.

Basically, shading is done with short, straight strokes with approximately the same distance between them. The strokes are applied to the paper with a pencil torn off. First, one thin line is made, then the pencil returns to the starting line, and in this way all other strokes are applied.

Cross hatching can be used to enhance the depth of tone. For example, horizontal shading is applied to the oblique shading, darkening the tone, then on what came out, you can apply oblique shading in the opposite direction to the first - this will darken it even more. The darkest in this case will be the tone where shading in all directions is combined.

Feathering

Shading is one of the main techniques that can be used when drawing for beginning artists. Using gradation of tone, you can add volume to your figure. In general, shading is special case shading. After applying the strokes, using the properties of pencil graphite and a special shading tool, they are shaded (smeared) until a uniform tone is obtained.

However, the implementation of shading itself has a number of features.

1. Shading of strokes must be done along the strokes, but not across. By shading along the strokes, you will achieve a more natural toning.
2. For shading, not only simple shading is used, but also zigzag strokes.

With the help of such techniques, you can depict anything on paper.

10 common mistakes that beginners make

Most people who like to draw take their first steps on their own. And even if it's just a hobby, they still make various sketches. We want to write about 10 possible errors, which all aspiring artists probably encounter.

1. Wrong pencil

If your shadows aren't coming out well, check the markings on your pencil. Most likely it is too hard. It is recommended to draw shadows with pencils marked B, 2B and 4B, but not HB.

2. Drawing from photographs

Every artist begins to draw from photographs. But very often photographs do not convey enough facial features to good drawing. When a person's face is positioned from the front, it will be difficult to correctly model their face on paper, since the perspective from behind the head disappears. Try taking a photo where the person's head is tilted slightly to the side. This way the portrait will be more realistic and with best transmission shadows

3. Wrong basic proportions

Very often people begin to immediately pay attention to details, drawing them completely without sketching the entire drawing. This is wrong because you are not planning the correct proportions in advance. First, it is advisable to sketch out the entire drawing, and only then draw in detail the details.

4. Crooked features

We are used to looking at a person directly and aligning them when drawing. As a result, the portrait comes out quite distorted. When drawing complex objects, first try to outline guidelines along which it will be easier to build the drawing later.

5. Drawing of animals

Usually we look down at our animal. This makes the head seem larger to us than the whole body, and normal proportionality is lost. Try to distract the animal so that it turns its muzzle to the side, then the drawing will come out more truthful.

6. Strokes

If you draw each hair or blade of grass separately, the drawing will come out disgusting. Try to make sharp sketches, going from dark to light.

7. Trees

Do not try to draw trees, flowers, and leaves with the correct shapes. Use outlines and penumbra for realism.

8. Wrong paper

Before you buy paper, test it on a sample piece of something light. The paper may be too smooth and the design will be faded. Also, the paper may be too stiff and the design will be quite flat.

9. Volume

When conveying volume, try not to use clear lines for the edges. They can be outlined by light lines of different tones.

10. Shadows

Very often it is not possible to apply shadows evenly. Try to use the full color range of the pencil, going from lightest to darkest. If you are afraid to overdo it with the dark, put a piece of paper under the edge, and all the black will be on it.

At first it may seem that pencil drawings are too ordinary and dull. But with the help of a pencil you can convey a huge amount of emotions.

A small selection of video channels based on pencil drawing:

From the author: If you are interested in painting, drawing, composition, and art in general, then this is the place for you! By profession I am a Painter-Monumentalist. Graduated from MGAHI named after. Surikov. On the Art Shima channel you will find videos in which I draw and paint in oils, and videos with tips. Since I know many techniques, you can feel free to ask questions, and I will be happy to answer them. By subscribing to my channel, you will be able to see all my new videos.

Interesting video lessons on any topic.

The work is more complicated, but with good description. If you really want it, it will happen.

In order to learn to draw volumetric figures, it is very important to master the technique that will allow you to achieve the most realistic images. Pencil shading makes it possible to create not only simple pictures, but also to convey complex images.

Technology capabilities

Hatching with a pencil allows you to accurately depict the required tone. Such drawings are made with lines of different frequencies, which allows you to depict tones of different saturation. Cross hatching is used to deepen the tone.

If you look closely at a drawing made using this technique, then even in the very dark tone You can detect all types of shading: vertical, horizontal and oblique. With the help of pencil shading, you can not only convey the tone of the drawing, but even show the surface of the objects depicted on it.

In addition to the usual straight shading, relief shading is often used in drawing. This type of drawing filling is necessary to give individual objects relief (as the name suggests). For example, arched lines are often used to design elements such as human lips.

It will be useful for a beginner to keep on his desktop the so-called stroke palette, which shows different kinds and shades of shading. With the help of such a table it will be easier to understand which shading should be used in each specific case. It would be ideal if this palette was created by the painter himself, because, among other things, this is also an excellent skill training.

Teaching a small child

Teaching children to draw can begin from the very beginning. early age. When a child is just learning to draw a pencil on paper, you can already begin to teach him to do it correctly, to apply the first strokes, painting over some cat or house. At the same time, the child does not need to know all drawing techniques in general and shading in particular. The most you can teach him is to paint the house using different tones. Pencil shading is ideal for small drawings such as a house or a car. For children, it is not so important that the texture of the house is perfectly depicted, the main thing is that it is very similar to a real house, and the child did it himself.

Drawing for preschoolers

All children love to draw. Most often, the creations of preschoolers can hardly be called drawings; rather, they are simply a set of icons, individual objects, or schematic animals suspended “in the air.” If you started drawing with your child from early childhood, then by the age of 5-7 years they should already have mastered the initial shading with a pencil. For preschoolers, this is a quite interesting way of drawing, because it does not require any special skills. However, by this age the child is already quite capable of portraying geometric figures, indicating light and shadow.

In addition to drawing skills, shading with a pencil for preschoolers also helps the development fine motor skills, helps teach perseverance and even instill good handwriting.

Complex drawings

Pencil shading was born from lithography and line etching. The great artists of the Norman school were fond of this painting technique. With the advent of the pencil in our lives, this type of art received a new development. Many magnificent drawings were created using this technique. With skillful use of the stroke, you can create an image that has volume and conveys space. Different line thicknesses allow you to realistically convey the depth of space.

A competent draftsman is able to depict incredible complex paintings, looking at which it is simply impossible to believe that this is shading with a simple pencil. Often, paintings are created that look more like photographs, with many tones, transitions and the smallest expressive details.

To achieve success in drawing, you must practice constantly. Pencil shading is not the most difficult drawing method; you can even learn it on your own by studying the works of masters and repeating the exercises. By analyzing and identifying your mistakes, you can achieve success in pencil drawing. There have already been cases in history when a person became popular artist, although he began to draw at an advanced age.

The drawing of the academic direction qualitatively conveys volume, air space, and the viewer gets a feeling of three-dimensionality on the flat surface of the sheet. While drawing, the artist creates the illusion of volume using shading, carefully applying stroke after stroke; in painting, the shape is sculpted with a stroke of color.

Working through the light and shadow structure of the drawing, the artist models the shape of the object, constantly comparing the shadow (the darkest tone spot) and the highlight (the lightest tone spot), as well as tracing where the light comes from, which creates its own shadow, reflex and falling shadow of the depicted object.

By carefully studying the contrast of these areas, rather than passively copying the tonal spot you see, creating a smooth transition of halftones from light to shadow, tracing the boundaries of your own and the falling shadows of objects, you can create a three-dimensional drawing.

Some masters recommend shading according to the shape, as if you would like to stroke this object with your hand. This shading can be seen on banknotes. But this is not the only technique for applying a stroke, but one of many listed below.

1. A diagonal stroke gives dynamism and lightness to the drawing. Used to create airy space and convey halftones, transition from light to shadow. Strokes are applied parallel to each other with a sharpened stylus, both soft and hard pencil. It is worth noting that line and tone are the two main means of conveying a subject in a drawing. The stroke, through the means of line, shapes space and creates the plastic image itself. The main types of hatching: horizontal, vertical, oblique and cross.

2. Cross hatching creates depth in the design, tonal saturation and realism. Due to cross-shading, the shadow becomes deeper and the light becomes brighter. Thanks to the layering of various linear strokes, details are worked out, clarifying their shape. Thus, the line has not only compositional and constructive force, but also its plastic expression through the construction of the depicted image.

3. A chaotic, involuntary stroke has its privileges and is well suited for both sketches and more serious and detailed drawings. Depending on the idea and subject of the image, this manner can help convey a certain state or character of the object, its texture. The strokes themselves, of different shapes and lengths, give a feeling of roughness; the lines seem to “run” across the form and envelop it in chiaroscuro.

Different approaches to shading provide a wide expressive range; the line in its diverse interpretation makes it possible to convey any surface and depicted object. This method is widely used in design and the art of illustration and graphics. The presentation of the same item varies.

It is worth noting that the types graphic pencils very much: the graphic rod can be of different diameters, which gives more possibilities for artistic effects. It is also placed either in a ready-made wooden frame of cylindrical, round, triangular, hexagonal shape, or in a collet, metal pencil. Each lead has its own hardness and is indicated by certain letters and numbers. This is reflected in the ratio of graphite and fired clay in the composition of the rod.

4. Hatching with short parallel lines conveys texture on smooth surfaces and airy space. This classic shading combines both less saturated strokes and deeper shades, namely thin and thick lines. These combinations and the implementation of graphic techniques are possible due to strong or weak pressure on the pencil, as well as depending on the inclination of the stylus while drawing on paper. The combination of a light and darker stroke in tone creates a subtle transition from light to shadow, thus creating volume. Using in your artistic and graphic arsenal different types applying tone (shading) and superimposing them on each other, you can depict the light-shadow gradation to the fullest. Varying thick, dark and short shading in the shadows and light, long lines in the light will help create an interesting and voluminous drawing.

If you remember art High Renaissance and his main representative Leonardo da Vinci, then you can see that for the artist the drawings are small stories in which he reflects his view of the nature of things. This is a graphic message to people, which contains his thought-forms and their directed movement. Instead of using the usual letters, words and sentences, he expresses himself using the lines of his silver pencil, pen or charcoal.

As you know, Leonardo was not only excellent artist, sculptor, architect, scientist and engineer, and was the founder of paleontology, established botany as an independent discipline. He also deeply studied mechanics, embryology and comparative anatomy. In his variety of hobbies and breadth of creativity, he was looking for some secret meaning being. Often in his notes and sketches one can find images of allegorical and emblematic content. As he himself stated Leonardo da Vinci: “Seek advice from someone who knows how to conquer himself.”

WITH artistic point From a perspective, it can be noted that Leonardo da Vinci as an artist was very competent and adhered to the classical examples of that time, which is still relevant today. Namely, the use of clear parallel strokes in shape, smoothly bending all surface reliefs. Additionally, I drew the air in the drawing with oblique shading.

Having become acquainted with the work of another artist, Vincent Van Gogh, you can see how well he conveys the rhythmicity in the painting through brush strokes, its airiness and decorativeness at the same time. By carefully applying a stroke of the same size at a certain regular interval, you can achieve the effect of oscillation on the surface of the picture, its dynamism. By using various variations stroke lengths can be transmitted aerial perspective in a drawing or to focus on a certain area, to create an imaginary, nervous, emotional mood in a graphic picture.

5. Stew- the next type of shading, which we will study in more detail. It conveys the softness of tonal transitions and gives the drawing realism, perfectly depicting the depth and velvety of shadow relationships. Suitable for both expressive bold, rough designs, e.g. quick sketches or sketches for paintings. Conveys soft, smooth transitions in a sentimental photographic manner. Repin often used this style in his portraiture: against the background of rough dark strokes he highlighted a soft, light face. This type of shading is also used for landscapes: the foreground is done with rough shading, and the background with soft shading. Tilting graphite pencil Closer to the paper and exposing the graphite 1 cm from the wooden frame, apply wide and soft lines flat to the shadow area. You can also achieve this effect by using graphite in the form of a rectangular bar in your artistic arsenal, this is especially appropriate for large formats.

6. Drawings in which volume is conveyed by dots perfectly display the subtlest transitions of tone and the texture of the surface of an object. Botanists often used this technique to convey images of plants and animals using graphics (pen and ink) in their scientific works for the study of the living world. Also, dots can convey the line or contour of an object in a softer form, avoiding sharp boundaries and outlines, a rough outline.

Dotted illustrations are light and a bit blurry, not as clear as cross-hatched illustrations. But you can avoid the risk of making a mistake by first marking the tonal transitions on the object. Although cross-hatching has its own energy, dynamics and direction, in the end the drawing can come out a little chaotic and ponderous. It is worth noting that in a drawing, not only traditional materials such as pencil, ink, charcoal, but also watercolor are used to convey light-shadow gradation. Thin lines are drawn with a pencil, and with watercolor they softly shade and at the same time make the drawing more contrasting and realistic.

At first glance, the technique of pointillism or dot pattern will seem accessible to everyone, because the result of the work is quite predictable: dot by dot and your work is ready! But it only seems... Pointillism is beyond the power of many things due to monotony, monotony and a lot of time in general. But the drawing at the end will please you, your expenses will be rewarded!

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Pencil shading

Most beginners in drawing often face the problem of incorrect pencil shading. This problem is practically not given due attention in books, and in vain, because this is a basic point in drawing. What is the secret of shading and how is it done correctly? Let's look into this issue.

Why is shading important?

Hatching is needed to give the drawn objects:

• optimal shape;
• light incidence designations;
• giving the necessary textures.

10 principles of correct shading:

In general, there is nothing supernatural about pencil shading. The main thing is to hone your skills in this component and be guided by the basic rules of shading technique:

• Hold the pencil not only as a pen (lead to paper at an angle of 90°), but also in the position of a brush, holding it by the end. The position of the stylus is almost parallel to the sheet. In this position, the pencil becomes like an extension of your hand, and you will be good at working with smooth, sweeping lines.
• Lines must be drawn by analogy with the shape, the plane of the components of the drawing. That is, rounded shapes need to be emphasized with smooth contour lines, a horizontal plane can be achieved through horizontal lines, a vertical plane through vertical lines, and so on.

• To make the lines as straight as possible, first make a couple of “idle” lines in the air. Keep the exact movement of the brush in your head and try to reproduce it on paper. The strokes don't have to be perfectly straight.
• The tone of the picture is adjusted through the following points:
• intensity of pressure on the pencil;
• number of cross lines;
• stylus hardness.

In this case, the shading must be done so that even in the darkest places between the lines the paper remains visible - this will give the drawing accuracy.

• Shadows are made by cross-hatching or shading. There is no need to use these techniques together, as the shading will look like blurry spots.
• It is necessary to shade in the direction from shadow to light. Most of the pictures contain objects with poor or good lighting. In this regard, it is necessary to make smooth transitions from light to shadow. One of the main techniques that many artists use is gradual application of everything. more pigments on surfaces in the shade, and less on illuminated surfaces. Move smoothly from darkened to more illuminated surfaces, gradually lengthening and brightening your lines. Remember the basic rule - shading should always start from the darkened surfaces of the object.
• When working with cross hatching, try to keep the angle as small as possible. Hatching should also not be done exactly in line, as it will look a little “hairy”, so in any case the slope should be present, but minimal. Each break should be hatched in a separate direction.

• To give the drawing perspective, volume, and airiness, you need to carefully draw contrasting light and shade foreground. In the background, shading should be done in such a way that the tone transitions have a softened appearance.
• If you are afraid of smearing the drawing with an accidental touch of your hand, use equipment such as a drill. The main purpose of this device is to hold the brush at a safe distance from the paper.

By following the basic principles of shading correctly, beginning artists will be able to draw any 3-D object.

Types of shading.

To create volume and lighting in a drawing, artists use shading. With its help, the tonal elaboration of the sheet is carried out. Below I will talk about eight types of shading that are most often used in classical drawing:

1. Regular single-layer zigzag shading. The pencil moves left and right without leaving the sheet. A zigzag-like stroke is formed.

2. Applying two layers of zigzag stroke. The intersection angle should not be 90 degrees. With such an intersection, an ugly “lattice” is formed. The intersection of strokes should form “diamonds”.

3. Hatching, in which the pencil touches the paper only when a line is drawn. The pencil smoothly descends to the sheet, draws a line, and then smoothly comes off the paper. This type of shading allows you to connect strokes very softly and imperceptibly. The plane of the sheet is filled with strokes evenly, without joints or “seams.”

4. Stroke around the circumference. The pencil movements are the same as in hatching number 3, only in a circle.

5. Hatching, similar to option number 4. But the number of layers here can be arbitrary. The length of the strokes is short, which allows you to delicately “sculpt” complex shapes, for example in a portrait.

6. Intersection of two layers of stroke under acute angle. The stroke is not “zigzag”. After drawing a line, the pencil comes off the paper every time.

7. Hatching, in which the stroke lines intersect at different angles. Both the angle and the number of layers are arbitrary. This stroke is well suited for tonal elaboration of planes complex shape, crumpled draperies.

8. Combined shading at different angles. There is one layer, although during further work you can introduce additional layers. This type of shading is well suited for working out complex, geometrically irregular shapes, such as rocky textures.

When working on a tonal drawing, you need to remember that the stroke most often should follow the shape of the object. It kind of “fits” the shape. In this case, the tone saturation (the level of “blackness”) can be dialed in two ways: with the force of pressing the pencil and the number of layers of shading. In this case, the stroke should not be “dull”, that is, the paper should still be slightly visible through the lines of the stroke. Otherwise, there may be some “grubiness” of the stroke, which makes a bad impression.

Connecting stroke lines into a single whole.

In a drawing, a short stroke is often welcomed, which can be “laid” according to the shape of the depicted object. But how to work, for example, the plane of a wall with short strokes? In this case, the strokes are connected into a block. In the table below, I have given an example of how this can be done:

One more important point in the drawing is a combination of working with a plane and the tip of a pencil. The stroke can be “fluffy”, that is, wide and blurry. Or it can become clear and sharp. Hatching uses each of these approaches, both individually and in combination with each other. The table below shows combinations of sharp and broad strokes:

First way. With a broad stroke you can make the basis of the drawing - the first layer. And on top, in the second layer, use a sharp stroke and detailed work.

Second way. The juxtaposition of wide and sharp strokes creates an interesting texture. If the stroke is made short and multidirectional, then it can work through the mass of foliage in the crown of the tree.

Third way. Soft fabric materials, fur, foliage... are worked out with a wide, soft stroke. It conveys the materiality of such a surface well. A sharp stroke is used to work on objects made of metal, glass, plaster, etc. That is, where clarity and rigidity are needed.

In conclusion, I would like to say that there are different techniques maintaining a tonal pattern, a large number of varieties of shading, different approaches at work. But described in this article key points, are the basis on which work on academic drawing is based.

Alexey Epishin.

You can see how the above is implemented in practice using the example of my work in the section.