How to Shade With Sharpies

Shading a two-dimensional drawing gives depth and perspective to an otherwise flat piece of art. Whether you use a pencil, a traditional dipping pen and ink, or a permanent marker, the technique will be the same. The smaller the drawing, or the more detail you desire in a larger drawing, the finer your drawing instrument tip should be. Most importantly, consider the location of the light source in determining where shadows in your drawing should fall even if the light source is not directly visible.

Things You'll Need

• Fine-point permanent marker

Instructions

1. Draw parallel lines in the same direction with a fine-point permanent marker. Use wider spaces between the lines for lighter areas and tighter spaces for darker areas. Parallel lines can be straight or curved. They can also be at different angles from object to object, but should be at the same angle within an object or area in a drawing.

2. Draw parallel lines on top of existing parallel lines but in the opposite direction. This technique is called cross-hatching. Increase the density of the cross-hatch to create deeper shadows.

3. Make small dots with the tip of a permanent marker to create shadows with a different texture. This shading technique is called stippling. Increase the density of the dots to create deeper shadows. This is probably the easiest shading technique for beginners.

4. Solid-fill areas that are in deepest shadow. Use this technique only in small, clearly defined areas such as cracks or holes or a pupil in an eye.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice creating a sphere out of a circle to perfect the art of shading.

References

• "Ink Drawing Techniques: Cross Hatching and Stippling," Pen and Ink Drawing
• "Pen and Ink Strokes," Sketchbook Assignments

Resources

• Pen and Ink Shading: A Circle to a Sphere