Shading transforms a flat contour drawing into a three-dimensional illusion, giving depth and realism to your artwork.
There are numerous shading techniques, each influencing the style of your drawing. Here are some fundamental options to experiment with, ideal for a simple sphere design as an enjoyable exercise.
1. Cross hatching
Cross-hatching involves drawing parallel lines that vary in direction and are layered to achieve different shades of shading.
I prefer to begin with the lightest areas and then build up layers of cross-hatching to reach the darkest parts of the drawing.
Here’s an example of a drawing depicting gargoyles on the roof of Notre Dame de Paris.
You can also use cross-hatching in life drawings.
2. Parallel Line Hatching
Hatching with parallel lines is similar to cross-hatching, but all the lines go in the same direction. It’s a bit more time-consuming than cross-hatching but can produce interesting results.
3. Contour Lines
Contour lines can be applied in various ways, but the basic idea is to have the lines follow the shape of the subject. You can use contour lines for shading, as shown in this example.
or simply to define the shape, as illustrated in this example:
Contour lines work well for figure drawings. You’ve likely also seen many hand drawings using contour lines.
4. Scribbles
Scribbling, or scumbling, is a fun and quick way to shade a drawing!
Scumbling or scribble shading is especially effective for portraits and still life drawings.
You might also enjoy: Fun and Easy Scribble Drawings
5. Stippling
Stippling is enjoyable but can be quite time-consuming. I suggest starting with a small drawing to gauge the amount of time it requires.
When using the stippling technique, vary the sizes of your markers to create different sizes of dots.
6. Zentangles and Patterns
You can also use any pattern for shading, including zentangle-style patterns. Simply assess the darkness of the pattern and fill the corresponding area with your chosen zentangle design.
For inspiration on zentangles and patterns, you can explore my Pinterest board titled “Zentangle and Patterning Inspirations.”
