How to draw a shadow? Basics of Drawing

Most art schools and courses in drawing are primarily taught how to draw shadows. The construction and drawing of such primitive figures as a cylinder, sphere, cone, cube - this is quite a tedious and uninteresting case. However, it is precisely these tasks that are the first step to understanding the shape and volume of the geometric shape, as well as the ability to depict its dark and light sides - that is, the ability to draw shadows in pencil step by step. In further artistic practice, the ability to correctly perceive the dark and light sides will be a good help in any drawing.

If you want to make the sketch visually and realistic, you need to give it a volume. In this article we will tell you how to draw shadows with a pencil.

Light and shadow

Drawings should be realistic and pleasing to the eye. Therefore, it is necessary to correctly combine light and shadow in them. This will give the pictures a contrast, a depth and a sense of movement. How to learn to draw shadows, so that the pictures look more lively, attractive and interesting?

A bit of theory

Have you ever thought about what allows us to see the shape of objects? Let's open the secret: this is a collision of light and shadow. If we put an object on a table in a room without windows and turn off the light, then we will not see any shape. If we illuminate an object with a very bright lamp or a searchlight, then, again, we will not see its shape. It allows you to see only the light that encounters the shadow.

Neither light nor shadow falls on objects as horrible. There are certain patterns. They allow us to suppose how the light will be placed on the object, on its forms, and where the shadow begins. And the drawing person needs to know these patterns.

Elements of light and shade

In drawing, the following elements of light and shade are distinguished: flare, light, partial shade, own shadow, reflex and falling shadow. Let's consider each of them in order.

A glare is called a spot of light, which is located on a convex or flat glossy surface and is obtained because of the strong illumination of the object.

Light is the surface of an object that is brightly lit.

A shade is called a shade. It occurs when an object is illuminated not by one but by several light sources. In addition, it is formed on surfaces that are facing at a small angle to the light source.

The shadow is those parts of the subject that are lightly illuminated. The falling shadow is the one that the object throws on the plane on which it stands. And own - one that is on its unlit side.

Reflex is a weak light spot that is in the shadow area. It is formed by rays, which are reflected from other objects nearby.

The image of these light gradations allows the artist to clearly visualize the shape of the object on the sheet, to convey its volume and the degree of illumination.

Do these rules work for computer graphics?

Yes. Computer graphics are the same as drawing. Therefore, how to draw shadows in AIS or "Photoshop" does not at all differ from their image on paper. The whole theory and all the rules that work for the image on canvas or paper are also effective for the computer.

Step 1: Select the right materials

How to draw a shadow pencil? First you need to choose the right pencil. Of course, you can draw shadows and charcoal, and sanguine, and gouache, and acrylic. But at first it's better to limit yourself to a pencil.

For shadows, special drawing pencils are used. They are sold in sets. A budget option can be found in any office store. There is also a special paper for drawing: it is better to choose more dense and rigid.

There are many varieties of pencils for drawing. Is with a soft (M, 2M, 3M, ..., 8M, 9M) slate, and is with a solid (T, 2T, 3T, ..., 8T, 9T). In sets of foreign manufacturers M is replaced by B, and T - by H.

To display the shadows, you will have enough of a set of 3T, 2T, T, TM, M, 2M and 3M. For the image of light, it is better to use hard pencils, and for the shadow - soft. So the picture will look more natural and it will be easier to draw.

Let's talk about paper. To draw do not fit too smooth sheets, those on which we print. Do not use too hard paper. It will be difficult to draw shadows on it. It is best to use special drawing sheets, which are sold in a folder in the stationery stores. How to draw a shadow? First of all, get the right materials.

Step Two: Linear Sketch

How to draw a shadow in the picture? First, make a linear outline of what you want to draw. It is advisable to do this from nature, but you can also use the photo of the object. The most important thing is that the object you chose should be immovable. In this case, you will have a lot of time to sketch it.

Carefully take a look at the home environment. You can draw flowers, watches, kitchen accessories, garments. All these are excellent objects for sketching.

If you use a photo, it is better to print it in black and white. So you will be able to more accurately depict the outline and shadow.

Step 3: achromatic colors

How to draw a shadow? When working with a pencil, you have at your disposal all achromatic colors. They start with white and end in black, having in the middle of a few shades of gray.

How to create an achromatic scale? Draw a rectangle: this can be done on a separate sheet of paper or in the corner of your drawing. Divide this rectangle into five equal parts (you can do more, but 5 will be enough for the beginning), then number them.

The very first square will be white, and the last one will be black. The parts between them should be painted with three different shades of gray, dividing them in tone. As a result, you will have something like a palette of your pencil: the first rectangle is white, the second is light gray, the third is medium gray, the fourth is dark gray and the last is the darkest tone that a pencil can give.

Step 4: Theory of Shadows

How to draw a shadow? For this it is necessary to understand their nature.

Find the main light source. Observe that the brightest are often closest to the light, the dark ones go further, and the shadows fall against it. Particular attention should be given to reflections, since they can be the brightest place chosen for drawing an object.

Step 5: Select the hatch method

How to draw a shadow? Using hatching. It is superimposed over the pencil sketch.

Choose the way in which you will sketch the outline, depending on the object itself, the light source and the type of drawing. There are many kinds of shading of shadows, and the most popular ones are straight, circular and cross.

Direct is the drawing of a set of parallel lines as close as possible to each other. This method is perfect for objects without texture and for drawing hair.

For circular hatching, you need to draw a lot of small circles. With this shading, you can create an interesting texture, scattering the circles and adding them to the lines. In addition, you can more clearly show the density of the object, which you represent by placing the circles close to each other.

Tinted objects by drawing intersecting lines - this is a cross hatch. This method is great for giving depth to the drawing.

Step 6: Try the pen

Try to make shadows. Since your drawing is still at the initial stage, do not make them too dark. So you can easily erase them, if necessary. Draw, gradually filling in the places you need, and leave the brightest places white.

In the process of drawing, compare work with an object or its photograph to make sure that you put the shadows in the right place.

Step 7: Patience and step-by-step work

Add shadows to several layers. They need to be gradually darkened, overlaying layer by layer. Between dark and bright places there should be a tangible contrast. Do not forget to use the achromatic scale: the drawing should not be in equally gray tones.

You do not need to hurry. The process of hatching shadows resembles the manifestation of a black and white film: it must occur gradually. Patience is your key to success and beautiful drawings.

The more you deepen the shadows in the picture, the less noticeable will be its outlines. And this is right, because in real life, almost nothing has a black outline. The same should be reflected in your drawing.

Step 8: Shadowing Shadows

Now shade the shadows in your drawing. It is necessary to make them more realistic and smooth. It is necessary to control the pressure, so that it is not too strong and too weak. Stimulate until you are satisfied with the result.

If you do not have shading, you can use a small piece of paper. The eraser will help you highlight those places that you have smeared randomly. It can be a glare, or a contour that does not completely disappear under the hatching layer.

The main thing, remember that most of the drawing people, including the most famous artists, made mistakes at the initial stage of the creative path.

Tips and Tricks

• Between your hand and the paper on which you draw, you can put a blank sheet of printing paper: so you avoid the spots in the picture.
• In order not to spoil the sketch and correct errors, it is better to use a vinyl eraser. Erasers made of this material do not spoil the paper and well erase the traces of the pencil.
• Do not use your finger to shade the shading.
• To make the difference between light and shadow more noticeable, you need to use good lighting.
• A pencil is best kept at a smaller angle to the plane of the paper to draw with the side of the lead, not its tip. So the shadows will turn out more natural.