How to Create Gorgeous Shadows with Colored Pencils

Drawn and shaded in colored pencils, the art of creating shadow can bring an incredible depth and realism to your drawings. Mastering colored pencil technique takes practice, but with our step-by-step guide, you'll be creating dramatic shadows in no time.

Throughout this article, we'll be using a simple object, the banana, to demonstrate the principles of shading with colored pencils. By the end, you'll be creating stunning shadows with incredible depth on any subject you draw.

Understanding the Basics of Shading

The key to creating realistic shadows is understanding their properties. Shadows are darker than the object they're cast from, and they often have a blurred edge where the light source and object interact. Most importantly, they progress from darkest (where the light is fully blocked) to lightest (where the light begins to creep back in).

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Choosing Your Light Source

Before you start shading, decide on your light source. For this banana, we're using a dramatic single light source which will create sharp, well-defined shadows.

Watch the light on your banana, or whatever object you're drawing, and experiment with different light sources to see the effects they have. Once you've decided, sketch out your subject and where the light falls on it.

Preparing Your Materials

For colored pencil shading, you'll need a sharpener, a variety of colors (we used just a few for simplicity), and an eraser for any mistakes. You can use blending stumps or tortillons to blend colors, but for now, let's focus on layering.

Start with lighter colors and gradually layer darker shades on top. Always work in small, controlled layers, blunting your pencil tip gently on paper to build up color slowly.

Shading Techniques

Now that you've set up your subject and gathered your materials, it's time to shade. We'll demonstrate two techniques: hatching and cross-hatching.

Both techniques involve layers of lines, but hatching involves parallel lines, while cross-hatching requires you to lay down lines in a pattern, then apply another layer at a 90-degree angle on top.

Hatching

Start with light-colored pencils, laying down gentle, parallel hatching lines in the direction of your light source. Keep the lines loose and varied; avoid pressing too hard and creating visible lines.

Gradually layer darker colors, always working in the direction of your light source. As you move closer to the point where the shadow is darkest, you can steeply compress your hatching lines, making them closer together to create a darker effect.

Cross-Hatching

Begin with light-colored pencils, as you did with hatching. Lay down your lines this time in diagonals, then without lifting your pencil, change direction 90 degrees for your next layer. Keep the lines vary and loose.

Layer in darker colors, always following the original diagonal direction, then changing 90 degrees for your next layer. Like with hatching, compress the lines for darker shadows.

Practice both techniques on different areas of your banana, experimenting with layering and line variation. Switch colors for a more interesting shadow.

Now, look at your drawn banana. Does the shadow have depth and interest? If not, go back, layer more, and experiment. Remember, practice makes perfect, and with each new layer, you're closer to that perfect shadow.

To end, always take a step back and review your drawing. Look at the shadows, do they have depth and realism? If not, keep layering and practice until they do.

So, go ahead! Armed with your new knowledge, you're ready to take on any subject. Happy drawing!