{"id":2157,"date":"2016-07-19T09:42:53","date_gmt":"2016-07-19T13:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/?p=2157"},"modified":"2026-03-25T21:55:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T01:55:32","slug":"how-to-shade-the-ultimate-tutorial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/2016\/07\/19\/how-to-shade-the-ultimate-tutorial\/","title":{"rendered":"How to shade & pencil shading techniques"},"content":{"rendered":"

You guys asked for it, so here it is: the most requested tutorial to date: How to Shade + Shading Techniques<\/em>! :)<\/p>\n

Shading is the process of applying varying levels of darkness to create the illusion of form and depth.<\/p>\n

Aside from practicing proper shading and blending techniques, a good understanding of light, planes and contours\u00a0are\u00a0crucial for turning a flat line drawing into a realistic portrait that conveys\u00a0the illusion of form, bringing your drawing to life.<\/p>\n

Below is a\u00a0breakdown of what you can expect to learn from this shading tutorial.<\/p>\n

You can click on the links below to quickly\u00a0jump\u00a0to any section of the tutorial. However, I highly suggest you read all the way through!<\/p>\n

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Part 1: <\/a><\/strong>Understanding Pencil Grades<\/a><\/span>
\n\u2981 Intro to Graphite Pencils
\n\u2981 Shading\u00a0with\u00a0One Pencil
\n\u2981 Shading\u00a0with a Variety of Pencils
\n\u2981 Black and White
\nPart 2: <\/strong>Pencil Shading Techniques<\/a>
\n\u2981 Hatching<\/span>
\n\u2981 Cross Hatching
\n\u2981 Circulism
\n\u2981 Contour Shading
\nPart 3:\u00a0<\/strong>Pencil Shading Tips & Tricks<\/a>
\n<\/span>\u2981\u00a0How to\u00a0Shade Smoothly
\n\u2981 Increase your Range of Motion
\n\u2981\u00a0Use the Right Amount of Pressure
\n\u2981 Value Consistency
\nPart 4: <\/strong>Understanding Light<\/a>
\n\u2981 The Light and Dark Side
\n\u2981 Cast Shadow and Occlusion Shadow<\/span>
\nPart 5:<\/strong> Intro to Planes<\/a>
\nPart 6:\u00a0<\/strong>Representing Form<\/a>
\n\u2981 Abrupt vs Gradual Shading Transitions
\n\u2981\u00a0Is Your Drawing Too Flat?<\/span>
\n\u2981 Bumps and Ridges
\nPart 7:<\/strong> Shading\u00a0Practice<\/a><\/span>
\n\u2981 Shading Exercises\u00a0and Printable Worksheets<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Specific shading tutorials:<\/strong><\/p>\n