11 Best Shading Techniques To Apply To Your Art

Many drawing techniques are applied to works of art to produce realistic qualities. Shading is one way to do so because it enhances the tones by playing with light and dark contrasts. This article discusses the best shading techniques you can try on your next drawing session.

1. Blending - Most Basic

The most common shading technique is blending, and it's simply a way to adjust the pressure applied by the medium on paper. Using a blending stump is a crucial tool many artists use to establish values and variation when shading. Artists are taught to control motion in their hands to exert less or more pressure to determine a subject's values.

2. Rendering - Most Complementary

Rendering is often applied when blending since it uses a kneaded eraser to take out the excess medium that makes drawing darker than necessary. The eraser helps produce lighter values and is a fundamental part of creating value gradation on any surface.

3. Stippling - Most Fun

Stippling is another one of the best shading techniques used in drawing since all it takes is a dot to generate darker values. This shading method is also known as pointillism, and it heavily utilizes dots by clustering them to create depth on a subject. It's one of the more fun techniques due to its ease and overall impact on the image.

4. Hatching - Best for Texture

Hatching is another shading technique that considers the width, weight, and closeness of parallel lines. It is done to create dimension when each line travels together in one direction. It helps produce depth in a shadow which makes it stand out from a distance.

This best shading technique is more time-consuming than cross-hatching since it requires consistent strokes in the same direction. When you shade using the hatching technique, keep in mind that the closer the lines are together, the darker the lead pigment is on the textured drawing paper or canvas.

5. Cross-Hatching - Best for Patterned Canvases

Another hatching technique is cross-hatching which is a shading style that overlaps lines at various angles. This is ideal for fabrics and textured skin like burlap, just to name a few patterned canvases. When shading lighter portions of your subject, ensure the lines are light and spaced with a distance. The closer you draw the lines, the darker the tones you create. 

6. Circulism - Most Comprehensive

This best shading technique is by far the most likable by many drawing beginners and professional sketch artists. It's ideal for producing realistic skin textures. You begin by overlapping circles to build tone when adding a layer. This requires precise consistency, especially when figure drawing, to bring an even skin tone to your subject. 

Fine wrinkles are often tricky when drawing skin, but when you practice circulism, using a sharp tip could do the trick. You can achieve smooth skin by adequately angling your pencil to produce blunt circles, making blending more convenient. This also allows you to play around with the softer appearances on your subject.

7. Contour Shading - Best for Life Drawings

Another addition to our list of the best shading techniques is contour shading which was later popularized and applied in cosmetology. Contour shading is like hatching or cross-hatching, but you're relying on curving the lines. This can be done in a vertical, horizontal, and diagonal motion, giving your lines more form. 

It is ideal for shading fine wrinkles or creating full luscious lips on a subject. Contour lines are also perfect for figure drawing, which can elevate your style when drawing hands. This plays a significant role in emphasizing the rounded and convex or concave areas in your subject. 

8. Finger Smudging - Quickest Method

This is the easiest method used by artists because it only requires a few finger motions to conceal certain marks on the subject. This best shading technique is similar to blending but instead uses the fingers to dab areas in the canvas to create a shadow.

It is less concentrated on making marks on your subject but more so on producing seamless transitions. Plus, it's the fastest way to create depth in certain portions of your work. Remember to wash your hands to remove oils before working on your canvas.

9. Weaving - Most Technical

One of the best shading techniques is weaving. It is more hands-on with patterns and uses intersecting or interlocking lines until you create an organized or random design. Keep in mind that weaving requires varying angles to create delicate intersections. It allows you to produce an appealing visual texture in figures or life drawings.

10. Scribbling - Most Versatile

Scribbling is another best shading technique that is also known as scumbling. It's a fun way to practice rapid and precise shading, but it often requires the artists to relax their hands. It is fitting for portraits and still life drawings. It's also often confused with circulism, but scribbling requires a more defined pattern when shading.

It gives off a rushed drawing aesthetic, but it can provide your work a professional touch when done right. It's best executed with other shading techniques to create depth in every stroke.

11. Ink Wash - Best for Wet Media

A unique shading technique is ink washing. This is a bit different from ballpoint pen art because it utilizes diluted ink on textured surfaces. This is best achieved using a brush to produce light to deep shades. Ink wash is parallel to painting, but the liquid you paint with is thick and pigmented ink. When trying to create a lighter layer with good results, light to dark tones is a better sequence.

Best Shading Techniques FAQ

1. What exactly are shading and its types?

Shading is a drawing technique used to create lightness and darkness in a drawing. There are several ways to shade and enhance a sketch, including hatching, blending, stippling, and contour shading, to name a few. These shading types enable artists to use different shapes and strokes to add intricate detail to their artwork.

2. What are the three tones of shading?

The three tones of shading are the lightest, darkest, and mid-tone. Learning how to shade from light to dark will help refine contrast in your artwork. Manipulating how a surface or canvas receives graphite or any dry media for shading is doable by properly erasing the highlights. This will vary depending on your strokes, so best to practice from light to dark to better grasp the right tones.

3. What is a core shadow?

A core shadow is an area on a subject where light should not touch. Core shadows usually hold darker values. When looking at the shadow on the sphere, the darkest area is the least impacted by reflected light. Shading darker will give you a core shadow but with consistent, tight strokes that create an even shade that still draws attention to the contrast.

4. Which pencil is best for shading?

HB and H pencils are ideal options for fine, light, and even shading. B pencils are a softer variety which could make a difference when working on comprehensive pieces. It is best to experiment and try various pencils in the spectrum to grasp better which is most suitable for your type of art and shading technique.

5. Why is shading necessary in drawing?

Shading is vital when drawing since it adds value to every line. It helps create an illusion of a deeper form and space. Knowing the best shading techniques that work with your style enables artists to understand the importance of light to establish balance on any canvas or paper. Simply put, shading encourages artists to add depth to their masterpieces.

One Stroke at a Time

Learning how to master shading is key to creating consistency and contrast in your artwork. Now that we've narrowed down all the best shading techniques for drawing, tell us which one best suits your favorite media. Share your thoughts in the comments below.