Shadow is very important to tie your subject into a drawing or ground it on a surface. Remember drawing is creating an illusion of space. Look at some of the work from other artist in the books at your local library. You will notice that they all have different styles but all use shadow to pull together their drawings. On the last page I will give you a list of books that I have used and are in my library or at the public library. I would also suggest that you go to some art museums to research the master works there. Don't be afraid to try to draw some of the drawings you see in the books. This is a way that art students have been learning to draw for centuries.



     On this page I will be using a computer drawing program to create a drop shadow so that you can see the importance of shadow. You will do the same thing with your pencil by drawing a dark spot just to the lower left of a drawing you did on the previous page. Now remember I told you about another type of tool or drawing effect called the smudge. That is what I want you to do here. Take your stump, tissue paper, paper towel or cloth. Whatever you have decided to use to smudge your pencil. Working from the inside out lightly pull out the shadow area.

     Make sure that you protect the circle edge by using an eraser shield or a piece of paper to cover the edge so you do not accidentally smudge the pointillist drawing.

     You can see by adding a drop shadow we create the illusion that the orb is floating above the paper surface. By moving the shadow area closer or farther away from the orb we can create the illusion of distance or height. Also notice the reflection on the ball at the bottom which helps to create the illusion.



     You should also notice that the farther away from the surface you wish your object to be the lighter the drop shadow should be. this is called gradation. Look at the scale below. If you have not done this already you should create one now. This will help you to discipline yourself to control the pressure you put upon your pencil in tapping the dots.



     Then do a gradation using the cross hatch and hatch methods.This will give you a better control over your drawing media. Experiment with pressure variations and stroke marks. Design your own style, remember there are no rules.



     Find some very heavily textured paper like watercolor paper or put your paper over another surface and pull out a gradation scale by drawing a very dark space and pull it out with a cloth or tissue.



     On the next page you will find that bibliography I told you about. Have fun with your drawing lessons and practice. Remember that you can always send an e-mail to me with your questions or comments. Practice, practice, practice. Draw everything you can think of. Take a pencil and sketchpad with you everywhere you go and you will become a good illustrator. As an artist you can be doubly blessed, first in the doing of the work and then in the giving of the work.




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