How to Shade an Egg
One of the most important aspects in realistic drawing is shading. By creating a subtle progression of tones in your image, you can convey shape and dimension. A common exercise in introductory drawing courses involves illustrating the shape of an egg lit by a single light source, usually placed above it to accentuate shadow. To faithfully reproduce the egg, all you'll need is your trusty pencil, a steady hand and an eye for detail.
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Things You'll Need
- Egg (optional)
- Light source (optional)
- Drawing paper
- Drawing pencil
- Charcoal pencils (optional)
Instructions
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1
Make an egg-shaped outline on your drawing paper. While the size of the egg is up to you, using a larger outline allows for greater flexibility as you begin shading.
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2
Decide on the location of the light source. If you're new to shading, imagine that the light is coming from directly over the egg.
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3
Make smooth, heavy lines along the bottom curve of the egg. When an egg is top-lit, the darkest part of the shadow is alongside the lower curve. The bottom curve of your egg should appear black to very dark gray.
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4
Proceed upward along the curve of the egg with your pencil, lightening your strokes to achieve a mid-tone, and then a very light gray. The tonal shift from black to dark gray to light gray should be smooth. Go over your work repetitively with a light touch to achieve this subtlety.
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5
Fade the light gray into the bright whiteness, or highlights, at the top of the egg. Use many very light pencil strokes for realistic results during this step.
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6
Smooth the shaded areas of the egg together using your thumb or pointer finger. This is an essential step if the tonal progression in the shaded area is noticeable. Make gentle curved movements with your finger to retain the natural curve of the egg.
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Tips & Warnings
For best results, work from an actual prop. Place an egg on a flat surface and light it from the top with a desk lamp. Note all shadows, mid-tones and highlights before beginning to draw.
Use a charcoal pencil for smoother tonal progression and easier blending.
To maintain the natural curve of the egg, all of your shading marks should be curved.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
