Shading Scale Exercise Example

Shading Exercise

Below is a value scale example. The image below is an example of using the scale for shading/tone practice. The list below describes the example.

• Textures Used in Example Image Below
• Row 1: smooth - pencil
• Row 2: cross hatching - pencil
• Row 3: contour - pencil
• Row 4: lines - ink
• Row 5: stippling - ink

A Printable Scale

Shading Exercise
[Note: The shading exercise is related to drawing.]

In Drawing Notebook

Draw a long thin rectangle on a page in your drawing notebook. With a pen/ink or with a pencil, draw in the rectangle minuscule strokes shading from dark to light. Being able to replicate a gradated shade is important in all colors.

Pencil Hardness

The image below shows an example of pencil hardness from 4H through 8B.
Pencil brand used in this example: General Pencil: Kimberly

Image below: Pencils shown with sighting stick in front of scale practice

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Shading Practice

as described by John Ruskin

With Ink- John Ruskin writes about drawing exercises in detail in his book The Elements of Drawing: in three letters to beginners. The scale is Exercise III. The point of this exercise is learning to lay down a gradated tone with each tint being just a little paler or darker. You may read about this exercise online from books.google at: Page 29

With Pencil- In Exercise IV, Ruskin describes the shading exercise using pencil and if you read on, he elaborates why a student of drawing must take great pains to work patiently.