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In this warmup lesson, I'll show you how to practice clean, even shading by controlling pencil pressure and avoiding spotty shadows.
You'll learn how overlapping strokes and layering can help keep your tones consistent, and how different grips have different benefits.
Get the full lesson in the premium course - Drawing Basics
Warmup - Clean Tone
Let's practice shading with clean tone and develop our dexterity for better pressure sensitivity.
Begin by drawing a rectangle or square, around 2-4 inches in size. The goal is to fill this shape with a consistent tone. Use strokes at any angle comfortable for you.
Don't limit yourself to one value. Practice shading light, medium, and dark tones in separate squares. Before you start, try choosing a specific value to target, like matching the value of a nearby object. This gives you a goal, and helps improve your ability to execute the value you intended..
Try to keep the tone consistent throughout:
- Consistent pressure: Try not to change how hard you press with the pencil.
- Overlapping Strokes: Ensure each stroke overlaps the previous one the same amount to avoid gaps.
- Circular Motions: Instead of lifting the pencil, use small circular motions. This helps create a smoother tone without visible lines.
- Layering: Build up the value in layers. Start lighter and add multiple layers to achieve the desired darkness. Changing the angle slightly with each layer can help fill in gaps and even out the tone. Be mindful of areas that may have become too dark, and adjust your pressure accordingly in subsequent layers.
Check out the Lesson Notes for more details.