Shading: One Element of Sketching

Posted by Jo Murphy Jul 26, 2007

Shading is a technique that artists and students use to capture gradation between light and dark. In this tutorial Shading Tutorial - Understanding the Art of Shading Rebekah Lynn tells us that her explanation is meant to teach shading techniques for realistic art. Other types of art may use different methods. The technique she explains is about subtle changes of tone and she shows how to capture this gradation in a step by step manner.

To begin with I suggest that you set out to teach the students about shading by concentrating on that one concept alone, rather than teach other complex aspects of drawing at the same time.

Here is a suggestion for an exercise that might be appropriate when you introduce the topic.

• Set up a white egg on a flat white surface
• Perhaps it would make it even easier for the students to understand if you set up this still life with them. While you are placing the object talk about light source as you create the scene
• Take digital photographs and then print them on the black and white printer – give one to each student so that they can comfortably draw from their own copy. They will have the real scene and the photcopy to look at as well.
• Have the students draw this scene as realistically.
• Ask them to look at shape and shading only
• Make sure they draw the picture at least as big as the original still life

If you set this exercise up this way the students will be quite clear about the task at hand.

If you want to make sure they understand and can clearly place this within in their own goal setting framework, have them decide the criteria for assessment with you.

Like to talk about this exercise? Please post questions or comments on the discussion boards.

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