Thursday Art group - Session 18


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Shading

In this session class were asked to imagine some different objects and then use shading to bring out their forms. The following list was provided:

1. Looking through a hole in a stone
2. One box resting on another box
3. A ball
4. A piece of broken egg shell
5. A piece of broken pottery
6. A reflection of light off an object

Some of you asked about getting the shadow shapes correct in your drawings. Take a look at Techniques 4 and the other items listed on the right >



Take a look at the following video clips on other pages on this website:

Techniques 2

One and Two-Point Perspective

Shading - mark-making for basic shading in drawing

Shading Light and Form - Basics

Pencil Portrait Drawing Tutorial - Shading

Techniques 4

How To Draw Perspective Shadow - Drawing Shadows In Perspective

Foundations of Light and Shadow - Planes

Amazing Illusions Will Help Your Realistic Drawing

Stan produced a series of drawings with some nice qualities. Shading requires smoother gradation and blending and some shaded areas, such as around the bases of the egg shell and ball, are not as they would appear if drawn from actual observation. The position of the top cube is slightly illusional, since its angle, if it could exist in the way it has been drawn and shaded, would produce a space at its lower left corner where it could not have contact with the cube below. (Click on image to enlarge).







Kathy has worked quite small with her drawings this week and a few of them appear to be slightly elevated, due to the starting points of the shadows. The top left drawing is an imagined view looking down a tube, although the shadow/reflections seem more like a kaleidoscope. An actual tube would have been useful in this instance, as the paths of light are different to those imagined. I like the shadow shading around the lower left cube and also around the apple. A bit more boldness and pencil pressure would help to bring Kathy's objects alive. (It was beginning to happen in the top right image).


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Nan has begun to work out shadow shape in relation to imagined light source - the box being the most realistic of the drawings. The position of the hole in the shadow of the stone requires a bit of repositioning and the sphere was being changed as the session ended.





Lorraine produced a few drawings, but her balloon resting on the edge of the box really feels as if it could be taken off in the slightest breeze. The shading has nice qualities and the harder line works well - although in this instance, I might suggest fading it out a little around from the top and down the right edge. (Click on image to enlarge).



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Tracy has started to capture the three-dimensional qualities of her objects, although the path of shade produced by the light source hitting the objects requires a bit more observational experience. I particularly like the shading on the ball and on the far right [stone] object. A sharper and clearer line edge would help to convey the fragility of the shell. (Click on image to enlarge).





Mary is quite tentative with her drawing, but she isn't alone in the group. A few people could be a bit bolder with their mark making and it really doesn't matter if something isn't perfect first time. Sometimes, just making quick and decisive marks allows the creativity to flow. It's easier to make adjustments to a drawing, once there is something put down to adjust. Like others in the class, perspective drawing requires practice and it's something we will revisit at a later date.





Vee was somewhat amused by her 'Monk's head', but as a smooth sphere, the shading needs to have less line-direction texture. As with most in the class, consideration for light source and resulting shadow has thrown up its challenges. The line was sharpened around the egg shell to give it more of a fine edge, although light and dark areas require further work.





Rebecca is beginning to get the feel for light and shadow and the two images that work best are the broken pottery (top right) and the two boxes. Using a softer pencil (5B or 6B) helps to add solidity to the lower box and some smoother gradation in the cast shadow area would iron out the hillside location - unless that was intentional of course. (Click on image to enlarge).




Mags appears to have spent most of her time on developing her spheres. The top right image seems to best capture the form, although the one slightly below it and to the left, has merit. Smudging has removed some of the line and paper textures and the resulting smoothness of the shadow adds realism - particularly to the top right sphere.
Techniques demonstrated or discussed

Considering the direction of light as it falls on an object

Using the right pencil for the desired effects (HB, 5B, etc.)

Varying pressure on pencil line

Shading in different directions and smudging, to hide line direction and/or paper texture

Carefully fading shadow with smooth gradation

Using clarity and sharpness of lines - not having raggy-edged lines or straying, unwanted pencil marks

Observing how the absence or presence of light and shadow creates the edges of a form, as much as the outline drawing of a form is used to delineate its shape.



 Observations

Some people got a bit confused with their 3-D perspective.

Most people had issues with where shadow would project to and the shapes it would take.

Most people did not take enough care over the quality of their lines - often having multiple lines, rather than one clean line, or lines that didn't follow the smooth or regular contour of their imagined objects.

This exercise also brought home the need for observational practice over time.


Suggestion

As you go about your daily life, start to consciously observe light and shadow and how objects are affected by it, how light hits objects, and how shadows are cast as a result.

Try half-closing your eyes when you look at scenes and you will find that light and dark areas become more obvious.
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