How to Draw with Realistic Shading

Reviewed by Jeanine Hattas Wilson

Last Updated: July 22, 2024

This tutorial provides a basic way to teach a younger or less experienced artist to shade realistically with graphite, and eventually other media as well. Let's begin!

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If we visualize a light source at the upper left of the image, we can simulate an object as 3 dimensional by adding various layers of grey (one darker than the next). Start by using the lightest gray or white along the area nearest to the light. You can use various shades of pencil or coloring tools to create this effect.^{[2]
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If the layers of grey are blended together where each shade meets, it can further simulate the appearance of volume and solidity.^{[3]
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This effect can also be done using pen and ink, by drawing intersecting lines drawn on top of one another to simulate the appearance and layers of shading from light to dark. This is commonly used in illustrations and comics. In other print media, the printing process uses "halftone" printing, which prints small dots of varying sizes to simulate shading.
The sketch used here was created using an image of the actress Milla Jovovich. The image is sketched using a very dark, rough pencil and only drawing the darkest parts of the image.
Leaving the lightest part of the image as white, the rest of the sketch was shaded with a light shaded coloring tool.
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The final image now has a 3 dimensional appearance like a photograph.^{[5]
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I just started drawing but my drawing is not improving. How will I go about it?

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Keep drawing whenever you can, it's the only way. Continue to look up techniques like the one on this page and practice them with easy shapes. If you focus and hone your practice time into working your individual skills you will improve much faster.

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If I don't have an image to copy, how do I know where the lightest and darkest areas ought to be on a complex shape?

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That knowledge will come with practice and repeated trial and error. Try to note where the light is coming from and start from there.

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How can I smudge pencil shadings when drawing a realistic portrait?

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There are certain tools for pencil shading that you can get at any local art store, but the cheapest tool is your finger. Just lightly smudge the lines with your finger in the direction that you want the shading to appear.

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Tips

Work slowly, and always start too light. It's easier to add pencil than remove it.

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DO NOT blend or smear with your finger. The oils can damage paper. If you can't find tortillons, use a tissue.

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Keep your hand steady and do not apply too much pressure.

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Warnings

Don't smear the graphite to blend it. It may leave smudges around the drawing. Use a tortillon to blend so that smears are prevented.

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Softer graphite is harder to control and will smudge more easily. However, harder leads will cut the paper more often and are harder to get contrast with, along with being less blendable. Use HB or softer.

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