Tags
Animals in Tape, drawing animals, drawing tutorial, flying tape bird, paiinting animals, shading tutorial
SHADING IMAGINARY ANIMALS
How do you SHADE an animal that you’ve created from your imagination? There are two things I think about when shading imaginary creatures.
First, I imagine a light source, such as a sun, shining down on the object from either the right or the left. So in my example above, I have decided that the light source is in the upper right hand corner. So everything “close” to the light will be brighter and everything “far away” from the light would be shaded. (Shading done using a mechanical pencil.)
The second thing I think about is the areas where things (such as ears, eyes, paws) are overlapping, joined, or protruding. So, for example, I’ve added shading underneath the neck, between the legs, and at at the bottom of the bear (where it’s paws and body meets the ground). I also added shading under the eyes.
Sometimes, if I want to double-check my shading, I’ll find an image in my stash of pet books or online that is similar to the drawing I’ve made. (This is an optional step.) Here is a polar bear image that works well, and by looking at the photograph I realized that no matter what, the area around the bear’s mouth would probably be dark due to staining, so I darkened that area. The photograph also showed that the left half of the body was in a bit more shadow than I thought, so I added a little more shading there. The photograph also reminded me to add shading on the ground.
Finally, don’t stress too much if you go overboard with your shading and put it in “wrong” places. With Imaginary Animals, you can quickly adjust your thinking so that your ill-shaded areas are dark patches of fur, instead!
Art Giveaway!
Today I’m giving away this 7″ x 7″ flying tape bird, inspired by the “Animals in Tape: Instant Collage” chapter from “Drawing and Painting Imaginary Animals.”
Leave a comment below for a chance to win this little original. I’ll pick the winner randomly on Tuesday, October 2nd.
And the winner is “Linda,” who wrote: “Hi Carla, congratulations on your new book. I appreciate the shadow/light source tutorial, too. Thank you.”
Thanks, everyone, for all the kind comments!
*************************
This post is part of a Two-Week Book Release Celebration for my new book, “Drawing and Painting Imaginary Animals: A Mixed-Media Workshop with Carla Sonheim.” For the schedule, which includes book and art giveaways, contributing artists features, tutorials, and assignments, click here.
Judy said:
I love your animals. Hope I can learn how you do them. When you do the shaping what do you use ? I’m very much a beginner.
carlasonheim said:
Hi Judy!
For the bear in the post, I did the outline with an ultra fine point black Sharpie, and the shading with a #2 mechanical pencil.
😀 Carla
Birthe Lindhardt said:
What a treat tohave a tutorialinSHADING!!!!! Just what I need. Thanks a lot.
I do hope one can go on posting comments in the hope of winning!
Birthe
Erin said:
This is a fabulous tutorial. I love your little bear. He kinda tugs at your heartstrings.
Wendy Austin said:
I had a look at the polar cub.I really like the primate, standing there , posing for the camera.Thanks for the tips on shading!
Judy said:
Thanks Wendy. Do you think it’s done in pencil or charcoal for the shading or other media. As I said I’m very new but really like the animals.
Paige said:
Watching the songbird migration stream through Cape May! This one reminds me of a warbler in our bird bath and mister shaking his feathers a bit. Thanks for the celebration – it’s great fun(-:
carol p said:
Darling bird, love the use of the tapes. another good example of those ideas flying out of your head.
DianneT said:
Just tell the “flying bird” my address. It will be welcomed over here
Corinne Bekker said:
Wow, what a wonderful bird! I love the washi tape animals, and would love to use such interesting tape for making drawings. I tried it and made a crab and a dog-goat.
I have been looking for real washi tape (i love the colors), but so far I have only found less expensive stuff in primary colors only, in shops near me.
Since I received your book (yeah!) this week, I found a new trick of adding gesso. I wll try that! Thanks for yet another inspiring post and book!
Peggy Houser said:
Carla, I adore your work. I so hope to win.
siobhanjordan said:
love your work Carla, looking forward to getting the book. Siobhán
Meg in Nelson said:
Pick me! Pick me! I love this little guy!!
joanne said:
WOW how beautiful.would love to win.
siebensachen said:
Thank you Carla for this tutorial, I’m itching to try it out. Thank you also for the link to those beuatiful animal pictures. No need to go to the library to look through all those heavy books and schlepping them home.
The little icebear, i am sure, is Knut who came to tremendous publicity in 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knut_%28polar_bear%29 . We all fell in love with him. He suddenly died at the age of four.
siebensachen said:
It is of course polar bear, not icebear (Eisbär)!
Gina said:
Carla – thanks for the tutorial – the thing I struggle with most is shading – especially when I have no reference picture. Love the little bear.
Christie Juhasz said:
Thanks so much for all the great info you have been sharing in celebration of your new book. I love all your creations!
Melva Bates said:
Thankyou Carla for the great tutorial. I’m off to get my elephant to shade him in. Wow your book is so full of good advice……….
carrollwc said:
I would love to win this bird! I just ordered my first rolls of washi and can’t wait to use the tape.
Judy said:
Love your bird. I’m going to try it if I can find the tape. Can’t wait to get your book. Keep it up.
joanne said:
thanks for another great tutorial — I will be on vacation and will have lots of time to draw imaginary animals — I will post them on facebook — I guess I will google animal pics — thanks again — you are a true inspiration to me —
CharleneMcD said:
What a fantastic tutorial. You make it sound so easy. I would love to win your beautiful Tape Bird picture.
Jane said:
I´ve got your first book (it´s so useful!) and then I did your “Imaginary animal” course (so inspiring!) and now I just must have your next book so I can “grow” in my creating 🙂
Hugs from Sweden
Shirley said:
That was a really instructive tutorial. i love your animals, they are so creative.
Sophie said:
Dear Carla, on top of a very creative nature, you have great marketing skills ! Really impressed by your work. Keep it up !
Elissa said:
I love the useful comments you make. You teach in ‘real time’! Shading is a hard concept at first but here so easy!!
Thank you so much!
Corinne Loomer said:
Love the shading tutorial and the taped bird is awesome. I need some of that tape!
ranaeranaebaker said:
Amazing what a little shading does to a plain drawing. Thanks for sharing. I love all your techniques.
Janet Wright said:
What an incredible bird. The texture is lovely. I would love to own it. Janet Wright
Tami Yinger said:
My Buena Vista friends, Conrad and Joan told me about you. I have loved following your creative blogs and look forward to giving your book to my imaginative daughter.
Teresa Richardson said:
Thanks for the tutorial. Love your bird! Though I don’t have washi tape, I thought I would try with several rolls of colorful duck tape
Lynda Metcalf said:
Thanks for the shading tutorial. Shading always brings an image to life. I love the bird! It’s so unique and fun! Your blog/book celebration has been fabulous! I’m so enjoying it!
lynn said:
Really enjoying the celebration, its been fun and inspiring checking in everyday!
Jennifer said:
That’s an amazing transformation. What materials were you using? Is it graphite?
carlasonheim said:
Yes, it’s a #2 mechanical pencil (always sharp!).
Becki said:
I am really enjoying the tutorials, thank you!
Heidi said:
Carla, thank you for the tutorials and wonderful giveaways! I love birds and really like how crazy, zany and fun your washi tape bird looks. I would love to win 🙂 – Heidi
Nena said:
He reminds me of what my life is currently. I just wish I looked as cute as it does.
Patty Farrell said:
OH! Flying tape bird is AMAZing!!! I received my copy of “Imaginary Animals” on Thursday and I adore it! The only thing that would make this book better is if it were signed by you Carla! Thanks for being a wonderful artist/teacher!
J. T. Wherry said:
Love your ‘flying tape bird’. Must get some tape!!!!!!
Anneliese said:
I am amazed by the flying tape bird and the bear tutorial is very good and the bear charming – I might start to do animals, too.
Richard Kauffman said:
Luv your whimsical art.
Jenny said:
Wonderful! I love this technique and your book!
jeannievh said:
Your animals have such personality. I think it is the eyes. You show so much emotion in their eyes and because of that, the animals come alive.
Sharyle said:
It’s terrific that you are celebrating your book in this way! I’m looking forward to meeting you at Art Camp in Colorado in October.
Kim Henkel said:
You are so kind to offer up such a wonderful tutorial as well as your amazing tape bird give away! I love them both, but then I love everything you create (and your kindness).
Thank you
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Emily Greenberg said:
Love your art! I just received “Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists” and am very much looking forward to enjoying the exercises! Also happy to have discovered your blog 🙂 All the best! Emily
Rosie Grey said:
Oh, how cute! Thanks so much for this tutorial! And may I say that I’d love to win the bird… 😉 It’s so beautiful!!
Deanna Heitschmidt said:
I just received your book today from Amazon… I can’t wait to get my housework done and then I’m going to sit down with a glass of wine and read it!!
Lisa Firke said:
Love those tape animals!
Reem Kattan (@elfmage85) said:
Thank you for sharing this, Miss Sonheim. This tutorial is not only helpful, but important. When I draw from my imagination, I ALWAYS have problems with shading, particularly when trying to make my piece as realistic as possible. Are there any other tips on shading from imagination that might be helpful?
Joyce Francis said:
Well, I just plain want that piece of artwork!! Want! Want! Want! The color just sends me off into happy, hoppin’, wild land. Thanks for sharing all of this.
Linda said:
Hi Carla, congratulations on your new book. I appreciate the shadow/light source tutorial, too. Thank you.
Linda
Mel McGee said:
Congrats on your book and thank you so much for your generosity always. Whom ever wins will be very blessed for sure.
catchinmoonbeams said:
Congratulations on your book and for the tutorial and for the giveaway. I enjoy your funky splashes of animal and always look forward to your blog posts. I have never used Washi tape but may have to try some. The flying tape bird is great and I would absolutely love it to hang in my space.
Valerie Mann said:
omg, He is adorable…love his poke-a-dots,stripes and all and of course his wonderful little face…
Gracie O said:
A simple and wonderful little drawing of the bear. Thanks for the how to’s on the tutorial. I would so like to have the little. bird for my nursery room that gets used by my grandchildren when they come to visit. Thanks for all you do.
Elaine Stephens said:
I love your drawing….I have just moved to a new (old) house and will finally have my own little Art room….just for me, to do whatever I want whenever I want….exciting !
Natalie said:
I would like to win him 🙂
coolquilting said:
Great tutorial on shading.
I am still waiting patiently by my mailbox for your book.
I would LOVE to win this washi guy!!!
Dotti C said:
I just bought 3 strathmore visual journals…the smaller ones…I plan to dedicate one of them to my imaginary animals…and the outrageous things they think and say and do!
Jacquie said:
So glad to have found your blog. You’ve got excited once again to get back to my art table. Thank you for your generous sharing.
Mary Letcher said:
Hi Carla, this has been a great week of inspiration and art tips. Thanks so much for being so kind and, as ever, generous. I love your art and love how you interact with other artists.
Thanks again, Mary Letcher.
Samantha Fine said:
Wonder tips – I can’t wait to get the book! Time to dig into my washi tape collection… it’s so nice to have something new to do with it. 🙂 It’s funny, I have specifically been working on my shading techniques in my art journal lately…
Serena Mira Asta said:
One of the techniques I have NOT yet tried is the tape collage. In fact, I’m behind on all the collage assignments, such as from the flower class. I have made some beautiful papers expressly for collage but am hesitating. Hmmm. I truly love your tape animals, though, and feel inspired. I will study further, AND ready the chapter in that wonderful new book, Imaginary Animals! ;-> – Serena
Serena Mira Asta said:
Oh, and I LOVE the bear-shadow exercise. What a treat! I’m teaching elementary students how to draw this term, and I just may work in some of your wonderful, kid-friendly ideas.
Lorraine said:
Thanks for all the opportunities to win your lovely prizes
Jeannette said:
Your flying tape bird looks so fun! Congratulations on your new book. Looking forward to reading it 🙂
Emma Sch said:
You know I’m a fan! I absolutely love your work and LOVE your online classes! Thnx so much for sharing your expertise and art!!!
Shauna said:
I love your tutorials and I am completely in love with your Animals in Tape Collage. It is fantastic and I would be super excited to hang it on my wall in my home!
cathy norris said:
Just bought your book – it looks wonderful! Got the link from Karen O’Brien’s blog…
Isabel Cruz said:
I love your work Carla!
These days I´m looking forward to get your new book!
Penny Crompton said:
Oh yummy I love that bird. The shading tutorial is so useful. Thank you.
Gaby said:
Love the bird Carla!
notth said:
beartastic❢ Thanks very much for the tutorial
Bette Abdu said:
Thanks for the post with shading ideas. Imaginary or not shading definitely gives the illusion of 3D.
Sheryl said:
Your work is fantastic Carla! Can’t wait to get your new book!
Jan Harris said:
Love all your washi tape animals! Thanks for the great tutorial on shading!
Shena Meadowcroft said:
Thanks for the tutorial on shading! It’s always been my big challenge and this makes total sense now. Would LOVE to win this fella – he looks so wild and free~
Sharry said:
Thank you for the tutorial – it was very helpful. The piece of art you’re giving away is an absolute explosion of color. Wonderful!
Tammy Murdock said:
I really look forward to reading your book!! All the art and lessons look wonderful!!
Meg C. said:
Thank you for the shading tutorial. I love the flying tape bird!
joan craft said:
having fun shading :). luv the flying tape bird ….sam e colours as a beginners quilt I’m doing.
cathy said:
OMG when I saw how many comments I have I thought you certainly don’t need mine too but I did want to say I am loving this series and congrats on the book
Smyth Bouchard said:
I love your tape…animal.. The blues are so beautiful! I’m still kind of chicken to try this technique out. I’ll have to check it out in your book.
Heidi Harbaugh said:
Hi Carla,
I’ve got your new book – can’t wait till I have some free time to sit down and play. I love the flying tape bird. I just lost one of my two lineolated parakeets 2 weeks ago and the remaining one, named Dibs, is turquoise just like your tape bird! It would be neat to have a piece of art by you that resembled him a bit!
marge cadaret said:
I so want to try those tape animals. Please enter me in your book giveaway. You are so generous!
Eleni Kastrinogianni said:
I love your tutorials and your tape bird is amazing! I really admire your imagination and creativity. Thanks for the chance to win!
Miriam Rogers said:
I would love this Carla, I have had such fun with tape since finding you x
Tina W. said:
Thanks for the shading tutorial. I have such a hard time figuring out where/how to shade.
Jodi Hendrickson said:
What a nice way to celebrate your book[s]! I have them on my shelf and a piece of your original art would make them complete. I hope today is my lucky day!
Pam B said:
I love your tape birds. And love this book launch. What fun!
marge cadaret said:
Oh, I hope I’m not too late to take a chance on winning your birds on tape! I hope that tutorial is in your new book–it looks like so much fun.
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