4 Important Techniques To Know About Pencil Shading

4 Important Techniques To Know About Pencil Shading

Shading is a commonly used pencil technique but not everybody can do it to perfection. Every shading method has some form of artistic expression to it. In this article we share with you some interesting techniques on photo to art effects shading that will be very useful for you the next time you draw.

1. Smooth Shading
Smooth shading is easy to achieve if your drawing does not involve any form of pattern while you shade. The strokes should be light and in this case it is advisable to not use hard pressure on the pencil.

How To Apply It:
One basic about smooth shading is completely avoid the use of back and forth motion when you sketch. We all do that or have done it when we are in a rush to complete the sketch. Using this back and forth technique prevents your drawing from having a smooth finish and it will leave marks of the lines on the paper. You need to slow down on the application and use circular motions rather than going for linear strokes. This will help to give smoother finish to your drawing.

The Goods And The Bads:
When you use this process of shading, it helps to create smooth layering on the drawing. The results can be really striking as the value building of the sketch is slow and it further reduces the use of too much of erasing.

2. Smudging
Smudging is not the same as smooth shading technique. Not only is the technique different but the overall results of both the shading techniques are also different.

How To Apply It:
A lot of artists prefer smudging with the use of fingers, but if you do not know how to do it right it could look messy and dirty. Paper stump can also be used for the process of smudging. If you are a beginner, it is advisable to keep away from using your fingers.

The Goods And The Bads:
Smudging can lead to graphite particles being pushed across the paper. This hides the texture of the paper and the smoothness of it. Smudging is not a difficult technique to achieve, but a lot of beginners deepen the process of smudging and spoil the technique altogether.

3. Textured Shading
Smooth shading is not ideal for drawing elements such as trees. For these kind of elements you would have to use textured shading as you would have to develop strokes and singular lines, with also adding various tones to it.

How To Apply It:
Textured shading is solely for the purpose of adding textures to a drawing. One has to be careful about the pressure they apply on the pencil as it will have its direct effect on the texture of the drawing. The kind of pressure you use on the pencil will also affect the darkness or lightness on the drawing.

The Goods And The Bads:
Textures help to break away from the monotony of a drawing. One element in your drawing could have more texture while another could have more smoothness and less texture to it. These distinctions help to create a kind of visual separation and add lifelike touch to them.

4. Cross Hatching
Cross hatching helps to add texture, value and illusion to a drawing. Using the method helps to add controlled lines and prevents your drawing from looking loose.

How To Apply It:
Crosshatching adds great value to your sketch by creating layers in the form of parallel lines. You can add as many layers of lines as you want on top of each other and create a kind of illusionary effect.

The Good And The Bads:
You need to be careful about the kind of pressure you apply on the drawing and be very careful about the spacing between the lines. One has to be really patient while applying this technique as it will take quite a lot of time. Make sure to maintain the spacing between the lines to prevent the drawing from looking messy.

Now that you have read these shading techniques thoroughly it is time for you to put them on application. You have to be open to newer techniques to benefit from them in your drawing. There is some kind of beauty in each of these techniques!