FASHION ART ILLUSTRATION

Sanjeev Tamang
SHADING FASHION ILLUSTRATIONS
Shading is what gives depth, dimension, and 3D form to your

fashion illustrations- it is easier on the eye, and by its very

nature  even adds texture, emphasizes details and layers.

Shading your design sketches gives them a more alive, real

feel. The sensual perception of being able to touch

and feel your garments, and to sense the flow and form of

them, doesn’t come across – in computer printed, hand

painted, or flat-rendered sketches the way it does when you

take some time to develop your skill in shading and 

line quality.
Techniques of Pencil Shading
 Tips for Shading With Colored Pencils

• 1. Hold the pencil sideways so the greatest area of the tip is in contact with
the paper.
• This position allows you the control to lay down a very light base of color which
you can then layer on top of until you have achieved the desired hue. It also
allows for smooth color and minimizes unsightly lines.
• 2. Practice by shading two contrasting colors into one another.

• For example, take your red pencil and your green pencil. Starting with the red
pencil, shade from left to right, dark to light. Next, take your green pencil and
shade from right to left, dark to light. Work on blending them as seamlessly as
possible where they meet in the middle.
 Tips for Shading With Colored Pencils

3. Master the art of burnishing.

• Use a very light or colorless blender or a paper stump tool to smooth out
colors and minimize the appearance of pencil strokes. This will work better
than your thumb, as well as giving you more control.
• 4. When creating highlights and shadows, avoid the temptation to use black
and white.

Sticking to black and white for all of your shadow and highlight needs can leave a
picture looking flat. Dark blues, purples, and indigo make for a richer shadow,
while very pale golds and yellows make for warmer highlights.
• 5. Blot, don’t rub, with your eraser.

Rubbing colored pencil will do more harm than good, grinding colors into the
page rather than removing them. For more control and a cleaner page, press a
kneaded eraser like this one on the area and then carefully peel it off, the same
way you did with Silly Putty and the Sunday comics as a kid.
• Learning how to shade in your drawings using colored pencils will allow
you to create beautiful and vibrant pieces of artwork. The key to getting
bright, smooth color when you're shading something in is to add multiple
layers of light color on top of one another. Professional artist Rebecca
Schweiger agrees that "in order to make something look more realistic,
it's all about light, shadow, and contrast." When you press lightly, you'll
get a lighter color, while pressing more heavily will give you a darker
color that's more difficult to erase. Try out different shading techniques
like crosshatching or stippling to find out which one is your favorite.
• Method 1- Creating Light and Dark Shades

• Sharpen your colored pencils before using them

for the best color. A sharp colored pencil will allow
you to make finer lines as well as more vibrant
colors. Sharpen all of your colored pencils using a
pencil sharpener each time you go to use them,
creating a fine point.
• Use controlled, slow movements to create the best drawing. Instead

of rushing through your drawing and quickly applying the color, slow

down and make your lines more precise. When you color quickly,

you’re more likely to press too hard and create messy lines.

• Professional artist Rebecca Schweiger suggests "varying the pressure of

each pencil, so you can see how light and dark you can get your

colors."Holding your pencil at an angle helps to control your arm

movements and slow down a bit.

• Hold your pencil on its side to shade a larger
area in lighter shades.
• Use the tip of your pencil and apply pressure
for darker shades. 
• Layer your color slowly as opposed to immediately applying pressure. 

• "Layering is the best way to properly blend colored pencils." Even if

you’re only using one color, apply a layer of light color by holding your

pencil softly, and then keep adding light layers on top of that one until you

reach your desired shade. Schweiger advises "applying a little extra

pressure to the color that you want to shine through more." If you were

drawing a red apple, Schweiger suggests "layering some blue on top to

create colored shadows."Avoid immediately using pressure to create bright

colors. This makes it very hard to add other colors on top of it, and it

makes your shading look uneven.

• Really allow yourself to mix the colors so that you can see how light and

how dark you can get your colors!

• Blot the color away with an eraser to lighten
the pencil marks.