Shading: First Step-basics

I looked all over the internet for one of these, and couldn't find it anywhere. I've seen this about three thousand times in my art classes, so I thought it would be easy to find. *shakes head*

Anywho, here are some things to remember:

Everything you shade has shapes, either cubical, cylindrical, or spherical (square, can, round). If you think in shapes rather than little details, things suddenly become much easier to draw.

Notes on the shades:

Everyone always taught me with white objects, and I've had the hardest time learning between light and dark objects. So, here are a few (non shiny) spheres that might help some of you beginners.

Highlight: Is only as light as the object allows (depending on how close and how intense the light is). Even an extremely intense light will show up with a white or very light highlight on a dark sphere. Notice the dark sphere has a duller, greyish highlight.

Light area: A gradience or blending between the mid-tone of the sphere/object. (whoda thunkit? )

Mid-tone: Nice and pretty blending between the light area and dark area...okay, this is getting boring for me. Let me try and spice it up.

Dark area: NOT THE DARKEST PLACE ON THE OBJECT (Even with black objects the dark area isn't as dark as the shadow usually). So there should be a "light side" to the force, a "dark side" and a "shadow side"...that way we cover everything. See...Sith have nothing on Shadow Sith/jedi.

Reflected light: If you don't put relfected light on, it'll seem like your object is floating in some strange void somewhere...intreguing thought. *watches as it swings back and forth in front of her* You are getting sleepy...:tired: Wait a sec. *ahem*

Shadow: Here is the darkest, cruelest, evilest (wait...that's not a word!) cesspool of dark color...or darker than your shades on your object in any case. *shrug* Shadows aren't always seen.

My art teacher used to say that if it's wrong, it's either shape or color. And he's right...althoguh with an explaination as simple as that repeted at you all the time, you start to feel like a moron and you want to strangle someone...:evil:

*ahem*

Anywho, hope you found this helpful