This demo was done last year here while I was trying to help someone come to grips with some basic drawing skills. The individual wasn't good at following written directions and was at a distance, being online, so I tried a combination of illustrated steps to see if she could follow that way. I chose a simple circle to turn into a sphere as it would provide a number of techniques and would be satisfying.

I was asked recently to redo this demonstration so I agreed to repost it here and invite people to create their own, step by step shaded sphere. I will comment and assist at each step for those interested in getting some guidance in their drawing.

Unfortunately, I originally started the demonstration at lunch, so grabbed the first thing to hand - lined paper. Kids - don't do this at home!

What you will need to complete this exercise are the following:
Smooth drawing paper
Pencils HB, 2B, 4B
Kneaded eraser
Patience!

Here were the steps that I followed and the five illustrations to complete the sphere:

1. Lightly draw a circle freehand on your paper with a pencil of your choice.
2. Your light source is coming from the upper left of your paper.
3. Begin shading your circle lightly, just cover the surface with a layer of graphite.
4. Then start adding further layers to deepen the shading, remembering where your light source is coming from. Your sphere will be darker on the right than the left.
5. Continue to deepen shading, trying for a smooth transition from light to dark until you achieve the illusion of having a smooth, round ball on your paper.
6. Finally, you can 'ground' your ball by adding a shadow to the right, darkest closest to the ball and lighter as it gets further away.
7. Post your sphere online here at each level so I can help guide and correct you if required.
8. Have fun!

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good morning jeanette,
I am very happy that you agree with this "homework" !!! my only problem now is that the photos are not with me and I don't know if I can make it today ... . as today is last day of carneval all people (nearly ;-)) are going crazy and the other thing is that after work I have to care for my horse. (since yesterday I really think she is on a good way to getting better !) so at least tomorrow I will post my first two steps.
but from here on I know my question by heart (!): where do I have to start with getting darker ??? do I start from the darkest point to the lightest or the other way ?? to me the second way looks more logical as when I start from the highlight it looks sometimes like rendering ... (I hope I use the correct words for that what I mean ) - or may I blend after every step, do I have to ????????? my other thought is if you did not blend after every step there has to be a way without doing so. - I'm confused ...

Traditionally shading goes from light to dark as you build up your layers of graphite slowly. Layers and pressure can achieve the level of dark that you need in most drawings, as well as a final really dark value with a 4B or 6B pencil.

when you begin, apply a layer of graphite over the whole surface of your sphere. Then begin to add shading. You go light to dark simply because you are adding layers of graphite and its easier to keep the light that you already have on your paper rather than erasing it later. You can start at the lightest point and work your gradient back to the darker value. But its not done in one step. You will need many layers of graphite to make up your values. So you'll be adjusting the different sections until you have the values to your liking.

You can blend after you put down a layer of graphite but no you don't have to. It depends on the effect you are looking for. In this demo, I wanted a very smooth surface, so did some blending. You can use just curved hatching for your shading if it gives you the effect that you want.

I hope this helped.

we'll see in the evening when I'm going to try

Just made 2 spheres today while sitting on the coach.

I am curious to know what you think of it.

Best regards,
Cees

Cees, you've done a great job on these spheres!

What I would suggest is that you watch your shading carefully. The bottom sphere is a little flat in that the value aside from the highlight is very similar in shade. Aim for a gradual shading from light to dark.

Also make sure you keep refining your sphere as you go, ensuring that its perfectly round.

Finally, look at the shadow grounding the spheres. It should be darkest closest to where the sphere touches the surface then gradually become lighter as it moves away.

great job Jeanette ...I will start mine soon

Just realized our avatar look close to the same .. I swear I was not trying to copy yours lol ....I was pmed and told that my old avatar was not being seen so I used another I had ...hope you do not mind

Jeanette,

Many thanks for your comment and suggestions. I fully agree that the lower one is not good enough. Probably I overworked it. In this one I also used a 4B pencil and on paper the last layers are too shiny, because of maybe too much pressure.

I will try a better sphere in the next few days and upload it again to find out if I made some progress.

Kind regards,
Cees

Its a lovely new avatar Kim. It would make an interesting drawing too. Perhaps you can use it in one of your future drawing challenges when you host? And it never occurred to me that it was similar in pose to mine til you mentioned it. Cute.

Cees, drawing and watching tv is hard to do. Concentration slips and lighting is usually bad. I'm sure you're next one will be even better!

[attachmentid=8873]

Here's my sphere,its not as easy as it seems
Kaly

That's a very good sphere Kaly. THe shadow's perfect.

You can increase the shading on the rear of the sphere as right now its reading as pretty much all the same value. Don't be afraid to go dark and remember to leave that little sliver of reflected light on the rim of the darkest side.

here is mine ...I was unable to scan a number of times ...my scanner is down and I used my sisters lol hope that is fine .

my cat sat on the paper lol

I DID IT !!! I DID IT !!!
but with the scan result I am definitely NOT happy with ....

[attachmentid=8884]

tomorrow I will have the better scanner so I'll do it again but maybe you can imagine something from this pic.
the story behind it: I bought yesterday some monolith graphits and tryed to draw with them. due to my feeling I drew a sphere ... and find out how it works !!! (maybe )
at the end I blended a little bit but it wasn't that much.
now my question is: was it correct that I "got backwards with getting black" ?? (hopefully this is understandable what I mean ) or is the correct way always to shade the whole sphere ???

PS: still not happy with that scan either! (but now I know why it looks that way in the morning )

Fabulous sphere Kim, but I expected that from you. I like the textured look of it. My only comment would be to lift a little graphite from the very edge of the sphere near where the shadow starts. There is always a little reflected light from the surface that it sits on.

Melthemi, I can't open the PDF file that you've attached. It just keeps locking up or says it times out. Can you post this in a jpeg file please?

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Hi
heres my "progress"
Love Kaly

kaly: is this the same as above or a new one ??
in any case I see a difference - but is the shadow on the top of the sphere not "wrong" ?? in my opinion this should be on the side showing down ... if you know what I mean.

Hello Jeannette,

Well here is my new sphere. Today we finally had a brighter day after weeks of cloudy and rainy weather so I could properly see what I was doing. I noticed you remarks on my earlier post and tried to improve.

This time I did not use simple printer paper but grabbed a piece of watercolour paper.

I will appreciate your comments and advice.

Best regards,
Cees

Melthani, this is a great start on your sphere, but you're not done yet.

Traditionally, shading is done from light to dark, meaning that you gradually build up you layers of graphite, starting with the lightest value. You should work on the whole sphere at once so that your values are even and gradually move from light to dark - or vice versa.

You need to start building your layers now to achieve the level of darkness that you need to make the ball appear round and 3 dimensional.

Kaly, beautiful sphere! The shading is very well done as is the shadow. Pay close attention to the overall shape of the sphere. It looks as if its a little off, but you can easily correct that by adding a little more shading to even it out.

Cees, fabulous! THe shading is beautifully done. Congratulations. The shadow needs a little tweaking and perhaps I wasn't entirely clear in my description previously. A shadow is darkest closest to the object, then decreases in value the further away it gets. THe object itself - in this case the sphere - reflects the surface it rests on, even in shadow. So the sliver of reflected light should appear on the edge of the sphere, not the shadow.

Cees, fabulous! THe shading is beautifully done. Congratulations. The shadow needs a little tweaking and perhaps I wasn't entirely clear in my description previously. A shadow is darkest closest to the object, then decreases in value the further away it gets. THe object itself - in this case the sphere - reflects the surface it rests on, even in shadow. So the sliver of reflected light should appear on the edge of the sphere, not the shadow.
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Dear Jeanette,

Thank you for your quick reply. Indeed I placed the little lighter schade after I studied your original again. In the shadow zone I saw the lighter area which looked a bit strange to me but copied it anyway. So it was a misunderstanding from my side. I wil fix it and put it up again.

Best regards,
Cees

it's the same one
I was trying go get the reflection, but I guess it still need some work
Kaly

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Here goes again....still doesn't seem very round...


Jeanette,
I won't be around for the next week or so, because I won't have internet at home...I will have my computer at this big boat event in Lisbon, (my husband comercilizes this cleaning product, very good for boats,(and anything else))and we are going to be there for 9 days , with no internet But I may be able to check out the forum quickly, at a cyber cafe, but won't be able to post anything. Anyway I want to thank you so much for challenging us with this, it's a very good way to practice shading and drawing as well

BIG KISS
Kaly

dear kaly,
now I know where I had the "problem" yesterday: either your highlight or your shading seems not correct to me. if the highlight is there where you have drawn it than the shadow is not there and vice versa. but I like the highlight-point of your much - I'm going to try also that point of view.

in the afternoon I have to go for a walk with my horse (she is now really doing mcuh better !!!) but then I will post all the new drawings from this week. - also the sphere as it really looks like!

dear jeanette,
first thanks for your kind words! if you can say that AFTER this horrible scan than I can be quite happy !! I won't change anything on the sphere until my next post and then ... let's see!
the only point I still don't understand is: how can I / do I have to work on the whole sphere with the layers without getting the highlight also always darker and darker ????????? (sorry - with this point my great imagination ( ) is VERY poor ... !

looking forward to the evening !!!

Dear Jeanette,

Here is my next version. Because your example did not quite show on my screen where exactly you put the highlight I checked lesson G02 and made it like there.

Of course it was a pain to do this in the darkest area, but finally it worked.

When I look at it now, there still is something that disturbs me. The picture seems off balance to my feelings, but I cannot put a finger on it. So I printed the scan and draw the grid I always use for circles and ellipses. According to the grid, the sphere looks good. Can you see where my last mistake is?

Best regards,
Cees

at the end I got now a scan which I apprechiate much more than the first one!

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as I said earlier I have changed nothing until now. on the bottom side - where the sphere stands on .. a table - the shadow is beginning. I have tried it with real ones and this looks most "believable" to me.
I am ready for the next try ...

Kaly, your sphere looks lovely and the shading is really good. You can add a little to the upper and lower quadrants on the left side of the sphere to round it out a bit more.

Good luck with your trip to Lisbon!

Melthemi, you don't have to include the highlighted section of the sphere as you continue adding your layers of graphite. Just work around the lightest point and keep your shading gradual from dark to light. You're doing just fine with this, don't worry.

Cees, this is looking really good. My comment would be to try to even out the darkest value on the sphere. To my eyes, the darkest value is reading as a line, not a smooth graduated change from one value into another.

Methelmi, you've really gotten a good shape and values in this one. Keep the darkest values really dark, such as in the shadow right next to the sphere. Make your value changes smooth and gradual so that you don't have any distinct bands of value in the ball. They should all come together seamlessly.

You can also make the highlight more distinct - not hard lines but a little brighter. Just lift off a little graphite with a kneaded eraser.

Jeanette,

Here is my last version in which I followed your advice. I think that I cannot change much more because I am afraid I wil than end up with a big mess. Thank you very much for all your advice on this drawing. I have learned a lot and keep your lessons in mind with my future drawings.

Best regards and nice weekend,
Cees

Cees, I think you've created the perfect sphere now! The tone is even across it and it looks wonderful. Well done!

Jeanette,

With your guidance I finally made it. I hope you will have a new challenge soon.

Regards,
Cees

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Hi
I'm back from my trip and ansious to draw again....
I tried to round my sphere as you sugusted. Is it better?? I also did a new one on my trip, even with almost no time, I tried to practice my darkening but this sphere doesn't seem to me as nice as the first one:(
anyway I've attached both so you can tell me your opinion.
Thanks


Love Kaly

Great lesson! I really enjoyed this one. I've been practicing creating different values (still more work to do), but this is a wonderful study for this. I experimented with tonal values on this one. Since tonal shading is new to me I don't have a tortillon to help me blend. I ended up using a folded up paper towel (my wife thinks I'm nuts now). Ha!

Kaly I think you did a wonderful job with this sphere. The shading is good and your darks make it work well. Just blend a little more if you want a really smooth surface and your're there. You can always pull out the highlight by using your kneaded eraser after you've blended.

Guioco, lovely sphere. You've done well. My only suggestion would be to revisit the overall shape of the sphere and round it up a bit, especially on the top left quadrant.

To get a perfect circle, try creating a square first, divide it into quarters then just fill in the quarter sections to make your circle.

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Thank you so much. I tried to blend it, does it look any better?
Love Kaly

I see what you mean about the shape. I'll add more in that area. Thanks a bunch for the encouragement (it makes me want to draw more! )

Exquisite Kaly. You have the perfect sphere now! Well done!

My pleasure Giuoco. A few tweaks and you're there. I find that I need to step back from my work and look at from a distance to really see. We're hunched over our paper, seeing it close up and sometimes it gets a little distorted.

Thank you Jeanette, I would't have done it without your help.

KALY

Fixer up'er

Before:
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After:
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Perfect Giuoco. Your fixer upper looks ready to go on the market.

Yay! Thanks.

I just went back and read the instructions in the begining of this thread, and it looks as if I failed to follow them
I don't do well without a reference photo so I set up a ball with the light and took a photo. Then I tired to draw it. I used a CD to make the initial circle (Bad) and a ruler to make the straight line for the horizion (Bad).
Next I tired to use an 8B pencil to do the backgound, all it did on this paper was make it shiny and grey
So I grabed the compressed charcoal and scrubed away!.
I used the 8B for the shadow, it looks back if you look at it on just the right angle For some reason the kneaded eraser does not get me the highlight I want at the top left.. oh well, to many hours spent on this so I am calling done!
Things I have learned.
1. I need to try some other paper
2. Making areas Black with a pencil takes WAY to long
3. I don't think I like pencil drawing but will keep trying
4. (question) Why do we draw with a lubricant anyway???

Reference photo
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My Ball
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My Ball Closeup
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Airspace, you impress me.

I could go on about how fascinating your reference photo is (and that you have the skill and technology to create such a photo!); I could also go on about your understanding of value and how your drive to achieve rich (and powerful) contrasts is second to none; I could probably also mention your eye for composition seems to be much more superior than mine... but that would probably be gushing.

Don't give up on graphite, go buy some paper ($5.50 for 20 sheets of Bristol Smooth ain't too bad), and keep it coming!

Nice work.

Thanks Giuoco!
I don't see it like you do, I see all the misstakes.. the stupid glass is always half empty for me. But I am learning to just shut up when someone give me a compliment and say "Thank You".

hi airscapes!
knew I know this photo as I saw it
I also like your sphere! my problem is also that I see the mistakes and things that are not good done with my drawings - or better: not as I wanted them to be ...
but when people tell me afterwards that they like the pics I step back a little and look again at it. in most cases I get to like them ! then I think to myself "hopefully things are going on as "easy" as they are now!"
but you can improve your way to see things - just change from point to point:
1) the glass is half empty
2) there is double as much glass as drink in it (can not translate it better for the moment)
3) the glass is half full
AND - do not miss point 4): now I'm nearly drunk .....
so: just step back and enjoy other people enjoying your drawings !!!

[quote name='Giuoco' date='Feb 22 2008, 02:29 AM' post='32417']
Fixer up'er


Could anyone tell me what is fixer up'er

That is a nice one, Kim. BTW, what sort of PAPER do you use? Yours seems to be more textured. I'm new to this and am trying to figure out everything, including what sort of paper works best for sketching.

Thanks for this lesson. I tried it just now but using just a #2 pencil and lined paper, mine wasn't so great. I'll try again when I'm home and have my stuff.



Gosh, that one is AWESOME! Very nice, Jeanette.

Kaly, I was just trying to make a play on words but miss spelled "upper". Fixer upper.

Sorry.

P.S. A fixer upper is when you purchase something that needs to be fixed before you can use it. Like purchasing a house that is in poor condition in which you plan on fixing up the problems. Slang for the house would be a "fixer upper".

Again, sorry for the localized slang (and the misspelling to make it even harder to figure out!).

Here are my first and second attempts at the spheres. I did the first one with just an HB pencil. The second one was done with Sketching Wash pencils (light, medium, dark) in a dry mode. I'd just been given those and never used the pencils before. Not sure I like the feel of them on the paper. My 2B pencil got too small to use and I've ordered some new pencils but have to wait for them to come in the mail. So just making due with what I had.

Please let me know how I am doing at this. I'm very new to drawing (only a few weeks ago I was SURE that I couldn't draw a stick figure) and so I know I have a long way to go. But its fun and I want to learn.

Thanks for the lesson!!!
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hi rainy,
this is my opinion: don't outline the circle like in your second version - this ruins a little bit the ilustion ...
and to me the shadows don't seen right because the highlight is in the front and the shadow on the right side. and if I see my lines like here I would smooth the whole thing (hope I tell that correct - the thing you do with paper ...)
but you're on the way !!!
(- telling by a full time tryer - I am also new )

Here is mine. any comments?

Here is mine. Unfortunately, I am also a lousy photographer, so it came out just a little blurry. Suggestions welcome - on both my drawing AND photography skills, actually

[attachmentid=9189]

hunneebee, you need to try and loose that outline. I am not sure of the shadows, without a reference photo I am a blind man, I can not visualize what a ball would look like with light shining on it. depending on which way the light hits it, the shadow moves.. But I know you would not have an outline next to a light area.
Hopefully someone with more experience and better wording can jump in.