Color Shading
The technique of shading is usually used in Art to depict a sense of depth by applying dark colors densely to depict darker areas and applying light shades to depict the lighter areas. Using colors to depict this range is called color shading. Even though it is not an advanced technique, color shading enhances the drawing and makes it look more aesthetically appealing and realistic.
Shading gives a dimension to an object and makes it look better. Without the technique of matching colors and shades, an artwork will look like a basic 2-Dimensional piece of art, shading provides professionalism and realism to artworks.
To understand how shading works, one must understand how an object looks when light falls on it or how light reacts to different types of objects. Using black to depict shadows might not always give a true sense of “shade” since, in reality, shadows are not blacks. One can work with a little addition of the black to the actual color of the object or the complementary color of the specific color. Each color has its own complementary colors, for eg. The complementary color of Blue is Orange (a mix of yellow and red). Similarly- Red’s complement is Green and Yellow’s is Purple.
One can always use a color wheel in drawing class to check the complementary colors and determine the shades of each color.
Colour shading is a technique that could be used with any type of color depending on the type of art and tools that are compatible with those specific types of colors.
Techniques for shading are mostly similar, whether you use colored pencils, graphite pencils, or brushes.
Some of the important and most popular color shading techniques are:
- Side shading– Keeping the marks in the same direction, the color area moves from dark, highly concentrated marks and fades to lighter, less concentrated marks making a lighter shade.
- Tip shading– Tip shading is similar to side shading but the shade appears denser because the tip of the colored pencil is used for color shading. The tip provides a darker pigment.
- Hatching and Cross Hatching– Hatching is a technique that is applied by drawing lines linearly. The lines are drawn in the same direction and they do not overlap each other. They are mostly drawn parallelly. If the lines are closer to each other, they add a darker value to the art and if they are drawn with more space between them, they add a lighter shade or value to the art piece. Cross-hatching is similar to hatching but the lines cross over each instead of parallel lines. The more the lines are concentrated, it shows a darker area and vice-versa.
- Scribbling– Erratic, uneven lines drawn on the surface that can actually create a textured effect. The lines are drawn here go in all directions. The concentration of lines in one area can define the lighter or darker value of shade. This method could be used to show various textures.
- Stippling– It is a technique done by adding dots on the surface of the paper. Concentrated dots can make your art look darker, less concentrated dots can give a lighter value to the art piece. Even though a time-consuming technique, it can be highly rewarding as it looks aesthetic and realistic.
- Scumbling– This technique involves making tiny circles without actually lifting the color. You can use different shapes like a figure of eight or tiny daisy-like flowers to make curls on the sheet.
- Blending and smooth shading– Use blending tools and to blend in lighter and darker parts of an area. It could also be achieved using fingers. This provides a shadow and shaded appearance on the art piece.
- These shading techniques are mostly used in colored pencils or binded colors like oil pastels.
Learn to create art with color shading techniques with our interactive color shading course in just one year.
Color Shading Course Details:
Color shading is a technique that helps you enhance your artwork and give it a more professional look by giving depth and dimension to your art. Learning the basic techniques early in life will help your art-enthusiastic child be an expert in making pro-level art pieces. Enroll your child with our Color Shading Course of 1 year and help them become the best artistic versions of themselves.
The age group for this course is 7-10 years.
The duration of the course is 1 year, post which your child will be certified. You will receive certification from Pracheen Kala Kendra and Art Haat Institute of Fine Arts.
All materials related to the course will be provided.