Shading and blending are the key to a successful dog portrait in pencil.

The Magic Of Shading And Blending

Before going any farther, you must understand the importance of shading and blending and how to do it.

This is where you dog portrait really comes to life.

Here are the five different pencil tones you will use in your drawing.

The tones range from Full Tone which is very dark to No Tone which is obviously no tone at all.

You will be using your pencil to add the darker tones to the drawing paper. Then shade and blend them together with one of those tortillions from Dick Blick Art Materials that we talked about in the Art Supplies section.

Here's an example of proper blending technique.

Notice how the tones have been blended together smoothly. There are no harsh lines seperating them.

It is a gradual, smooth transition from dark into light.

As you shade the darker tones with the tortillion, it will pick up some graphite. It will "get dirty". Use this dirty tortillion to produce the lighter tones.

Always shade the darker tones into the lighter tones with the tortillion.

When adding tone with your pencil, do so gently. If you need it darker, you can always go back over it again. To much pressure with the pencil will result in pencil lines that are difficult to blend.

This is the key to creating a realistic dog portrait in pencil. Everything must blend together naturally.

Here's an example of proper blending.

When you shade and blend, always keep in mind where the light source is coming from. In the baseball example it is coming from the upper right.

For this baseball, start by drawing an accurate outline of the baseball using the grid.

How to draw an accurate outline.

Carefully erase the grid lines from your drawing.

Add 3/4 Tone to the left side of the baseball and the shadow with your pencil.

Using a tortillion, shade over the 3/4 Tone. Continue toward the right side of the baseball. The graphite on the tortillion should be enough to give you the 1/2 Tone you need.

Shade across the baseball, easing up on the tortillion, to get your 1/4 Tone. Notice that the closer you get to the light source, the lighter the Tones become.

Lightly shade all the way to the right edge of the baseball. If you need to go back and make the left side darker, do so, then shade and blend again.

With your kneaded eraser, dab away the light tone along the right hand side of the ball. This will give you the No Tone area.

Never leave the No Tone areas blank. Shade them softly and then remove the tone with the eraser. This will give you a much softer and natural effect.

You can even see how the stiches on the baseball get lighter as they move to the right.

When shading, look at your original picture closely. Try to see everything. Notice where the different tones are and how they blend together smoothly.

Here's the baseball again.

Notice the thin line of reflected light along the left side. Pinch the edge of your kneaded eraser into a sharp edge. Carefully remove the graphite in this area to make this reflection.

This is very important. Look for these reflections through-out your original picture. On a dog, they will be around the eye area, the nose and nostrils and the edges of the face.

As the light passes over the baseball it is reflected back toward it, creating this reflection. This adds realism so include these reflections in your drawing.

Now let's look at the shadow. It starts out very dark,Full Tone, close to the baseball. As it moves away it lightens up.

Always soften the edges of your drawing with the tortillion. The edges of the baseball and the shadow have been softened.

Just a word about these blending tortillions. Tilt them so that you are shading with the side of the tip. If not they will collapse quickly.

Here you can see where each tone is located.

For more detailed drawing instruction, please check out my How To Draw Books

Home