Drawing Exercise: Shading a Sphere

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Want to add dimension to your drawing? Shading is a key tool in communicating shape. To get started is nice to start with some simple shapes, like a box, cylinder, or a sphere. Once you learn and understand how to shade these simple shapes you can extend to more complex shapes like fruit and a face.

Step 1 - Find your reference.

I've compiled a some potential references on Pinterest. 

Step 2 - identify light source

In my example the light is coming from the top right and in front of the object. 

Step 3 - Draw the outline

It doesn't have to be perfect. I moved my arm in a circular motion to make the outline below.  I used a neutral grade (B or HB). 

Step 4 - Add the Midtone

Generally cover the whole sphere, except for the highlight. Not ideal that my edges are darker here, but that's ok. Used the same B pencil and held at an angle. 

Step 4 - Get in the shadows

Added the shadow on the surface the sphere is sitting on and on the lower/right half of the sphere. Use a softer pencil - 2b - 4b.

Push the shadows with a 6b+

Step 5 - Smoothen the transitions

Experiment with your grades to smooth the transitions. really fill in all of the spots where the paper is exposed (except for the highlight of course). Use a kneaded eraser to pick up spots that are too dark. 

Step 6 - Make sure you have all of the parts

The highlight, shadow, cast shadow (darkest part), reflected light, ...  Do some of them need to be darker/lighter.? Are some of your edges more or less crisp than your reference?

There you have it. You can shade a sphere. With practice, you can shade anything. 

If you want to start your painting journey, I've put together a list of all my go to supplies to get you started. 

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