If you run into problems in one section, work on another part of your drawing for a while. Sometimes the solution to the problem lies in another area - because each part affects the the appearance of the whole!
T. Spencer
To make an area look brighter, shade in an area next to it as dark as possible.
To make an area look darker, leave a bright area beside it.
An area which GRADUALLY changes from light to dark will be perceived as the same surface. An abrupt change from light to dark indicates an edge. Gradually changing the shading from one side to another of an area can allow you to have a bright edge at one side and a dark edge at the other side of the same object.
Get the overall effect right and the viewer will tend to supply missing detail. The detail which the viewer provides from their imagination will ALWAYS be much better than anything you could ever have drawn!
Making a lot of small, varied marks tends to suggest detail. The mind tends to accept detail as being “correct” and will try to find an explanation for it which best agrees with its appearance and position. Hence small scribble marks towards the top of a structure identifiable as a tree, will tend to be perceived as detailed - and correctly drawn - leaves, etc.
Mess around long enough and things will usually work out in the end!
(Even if not on the way you intended!)
(Even if not on the way you intended!)
When something doesn’t work out the way you want ...
When shading, rest your hand on a sheet of scrap paper to avoid smudging the part of the drawing underneath your hand.
