Techniques used for applying shading to an object are quite varied. Each technique produces a different texture and "feel" to the drawing. The drawing medium used may determine the shading technique that is applied in the drawing.
The most common application techniques include:
Hatching - Lines drawn in the same direction. By drawing lines closer together, darker values are created. Leaving more space between lines results in lighter values. For rounded objects, the lines may curve slightly around the form - following the contours of the object.
Cross-Hatching - Lines cross over each other. The density at which the lines cross over each other determines the value that is produced.
Blending - Smooth gradations of value are produced either by adjusting the amount of pressure applied to the medium or by using a blending tool, such a blending stump.
Rendering - Using an eraser to remove the medium to produce lighter values. This technique is typically used in conjunction with blending.
Random lines- Loose applications of crossing lines. The frequency in which the lines cross over each determines the value produced.
Stippling - Applying countless small dots to build up darker values in a drawing. The density of the dots determines the value produced.
What technique is the graphic artist Suso33 using here?
The Illusion of Light
It's easy to get caught up in the technique in which the material is applied and loose sight of the reason why we apply shading in the first place.
Light is how we see, after all, and shading informs us of the light within a scene. We understand the light within the scene through the use of value and contrast.
Value is the darkness or lightness of a color. Light values are called tints and dark values are called shades.
Contrast deals with difference. Contrast is produced when any difference between elements such as texture, color, size, or value occurs. It can be subtle or extreme. When it comes to shading, we are mostly concerned with the contrast that is produced from changes in value.
When light hits the subject, it produces a range of contrasting values. The intensity of the light determines the contrast of values. Generally, the stronger the light - the higher the contrast.
Values are arranged on the subject according to the location and intensity of the light source (or sources). To simplify the manner in which light behaves on a subject and surrounding objects, we'll look at what happens with just one light source on a smooth surface.
SHADING AREAS
Locations of Value
Highlight- The highlight is the location on the subject where the reflection of light is most intense. Highlights are typically indicated by a very light value of the color or in some cases - white.
Mid Tone - Mid tones are areas on the subject where some light is hitting, but in a manner that is less intense than the highlight. In many cases, the mid tone is the actual color (local color) or value of the subject.
Core Shadow - The core shadow is the area on the subject where light is prevented from hitting, producing an area of shadow. Core shadows are typically darker values of the local color.
Cast Shadow - Cast shadows are locations of darker value that result on surrounding objects or surfaces. Light is blocked from reaching these areas completely because another object is reflecting much of the light away.
Some light is reflected back off of surrounding objects and surfaces. This light bounces back onto objects producing an area of lighter value.
- ART THEORY AND INSTRUCTIONS - ELEMENTS OF ART: VALUE
This is our next task. You will draw a sphere and also the value scale as you can see in the example.
MATERIALS FOR THIS ACTIVITY:Soft lead pencil (2B, 3B, 6B...) and your BASIK DIN A4 paper.
HB SCALE: There are two graphite grading scales used to measure the hardness of a pencil’s graphite core as you can see in the image.Most
pencil manufacturers outside of the U.S. use this scale, using the
letter “H” to indicate a hard pencil. Likewise, a pencil maker might use
the letter “B” to designate the blackness of the pencil’s mark,
indicating a softer lead. The letter “F” is also used to indicate that
the pencil sharpens to a fine point. Historically, pencil makers also use combinations of letters to tell
us about the graphite — a pencil marked “HB” is hard and black, a pencil
marked “HH” is very hard, and a pencil marked “BBB” is really, really
black! Today, however, most pencils using the HB system are designated
by a number such as 2B, 4B or 2H to indicate the degree of hardness. For
example, a 4B would be softer than a 2B and a 3H harder than an H.
USED OF THE PENCILS ACCORDING TO THEIR LEAD:
TECHNICAL DRAWING: HARD LEAD ("H" AND "F")
ARTISTIC DRAWING: SOFT LEAD ("HB" AND "B")
THEORY
VIDEO - TUTORIALS
ACTIVITIES YOUR FIRST TASK: SHADING A SPHERE
YOUR SECOND TASK: SHADING AN OBJECT or CREATING AN OPTICAL ILLUSION. You can choose an object, a "still life" a body part or a landscape to practice shading, remember to use the "B" graphite pencils (the higher the number, the softer the lead).
M.C. ESCHER
M.C. Escher was one of the world’s most
famous graphic artists. He created many visual riddles, and an amazingly
detailed piece titled "Drawing Hands" that offers lots of detail.
Let´s pratice the Geometrical Constructions by designing our own MANDALA and paint it in a CD.
NOW LET'S GET STARTED WITH THE CD
YOU WILL NEED...
CDs to recycle
YOUR MANDALA
A paintbrush
Relief paint or permanent markers
Glass or acrylic paint
Enthusiasm and creativity
STEP BY STEP
PEEL THE CD
There are several methods: either in boiling water or cut a piece of adhesive tape, stick it firmly onto the CD, and pull sharply. Using a cutter, carefully make a radial cut on the side of the CD with the aluminium. Do this very gently, taking care not to damage the plastic as much as possible.
COPY YOUR MANDALA TO THE CD AND ASSEMBLE THE MOBILE
ACTIVITIES EXTRA
Another page to help you with the constructions is:
Look for patterns such as triangles, squares, spirals, or combinations of regular polygons arranged in circular compositions. These will be helpful for your activity.
Important: First Create the Design on A4 Drawing Paper
Before progressing to any hands-on activity, students must first create their pintadera design on A4 drawing paper.
This step allows you to:
Plan the proportions of the geometric pattern
Decide which polygons to use
Experiment with symmetry and composition
Prepare a clean reference drawing (the sketch in your note book)
This A4 design becomes the blueprint for the optional extension activity.
5. Optional Extension Activity: Create a Pintadera Using Modeling Clay
For students who want to take the project further, there is an optional creative activity:
Make Your Pintadera with Modeling Clay
Students may:
Shape a circular clay tablet.
Transfer the geometric design from their A4 drawing.
Carve, press, or sculpt the lines and shapes.
Add textures or raised surfaces inspired by archaeological pintaderas.
This activity allows you to connect more deeply with the original purpose of pintaderas, exploring how ancient artisans might have worked with similar materials.
Learning Goals
Understand the cultural significance of pintaderas canarias.
Identify and analyze geometric patterns in historical art.
Use mathematical concepts to create an original artistic design.
Connect cultural heritage with creative expression.
Our first Technical Drawing Activity will be a mandala done with regular polygons. Here are a few tutorials to refresh your knowledge about the Regular Polygons' constructions.
Regular Polygons
Inscribed in a circle
We are going to draw polygons using two diferent methods: 'Inscribed in a circle' or 'given the side'.
1.REGULAR POLyGONS INSCRIBED IN A CIRCLE.
How to draw an equilateral triangle inscribed in a circle
How to draw a square inscribed in a circle
.HOW TO DRAW A REGULAR PENTAGON INSCRIBED IN A CIRCLE
How to draw a regular hexagon inscribed in a circle
How to draw a regular heptagon inscribed in a circle
HOW TO DRAW A REGULAR OCTAGON INSCRIBED IN A CIRCLE.
GEOMETRIC EYE MANDALA DESIGN HOW TO DESIGN A MANDALA
.jpg)
