To take your coloring to the next level, how you add shadow is extremely important.
This time, using the "Flowers and a Girl" line art, we'll explain how to add skin shading that looks realistic.
We're stepping up a level from beginner-friendly coloring techniques,
using more colors as we aim for a more three-dimensional result.
Please try coloring along with us.
>> Get the "Flowers and a Girl" line art here
>> See the beginner-friendly coloring method here
Materials Used
The colored pencils used this time are
Holbein Artist Colored Pencils.
Of course, other brands work just fine too.
What matters most is coloring with similar hues and brightness levels in mind.
Even with different brands of colored pencils,
you can achieve the same effect using similar color combinations.
Deciding the Direction of the Light
Before you start coloring, it's important to picture the direction of the light.
This time, we'll
color assuming the light is coming from the left.
So:
-
Left side → bright
-
Right side → dark
Think of the face as roughly divided into these two halves.
Deciding the light direction first
makes it much easier to know where to add shadow.
Preparing to Add Skin Shadow
Before adding shadow, use a white colored pencil to lighten the line art's lines a little.
If the ink lines stay too strong,
the color you apply on top may not blend well.
That said, just a light touch is fine.
If you press too hard, the color underneath may resist the next layer, so be careful.
Coloring the Shadow Base
The first color to use is "Light Red."
This is a slightly reddish brown,
and since it blends naturally with skin, it's well suited as a shadow base.
Here are the key points for coloring shadow:
-
Don't use overly strong color
-
Use a light touch
-
Layer lightly
It's also important to keep your colored pencil well sharpened.
Start Adding Shadow "Near the Line Art"
When coloring shadow,
we recommend starting near the line art.
The line art itself
also serves as a guide for "where the shadow should go."
So:
-
The jawline
-
Where the hair meets the skin
-
Behind the flower petals
and other areas that fall into shadow — starting from these makes it easier to avoid mistakes.
Basic Coloring Technique
When coloring, move your pencil in small, fine motions.
Moving it in large strokes can cause:
-
Uneven coloring
-
A messy impression
These are the main causes.
Here are the 3 key points:
-
Don't press hard
-
Move in fine motions
-
Layer lightly
Always keep these in mind.
Creating Dimension with Chin Shadow
The area under the chin is especially prone to shadow.
It helps to picture the bone structure of the face —
there's bone under the chin, and shadow forms from there down toward the neck.
So:
Dark → gradually lighter
Creating this kind of gradient
gives the face a sense of dimension.
Shadow Around the Eyes
The area around the eyes is a bit tricky,
but understanding the structure makes it easier to color.
First, inside the eye there's the curve of the eyeball.
Add shadow following that curve.
Also,
-
Under the eyes
-
Beside the nose
also fall into shadow.
If you actually touch your own face,
you'll notice a slight hollow beneath the eyes.
Adding shadow from there
creates a natural sense of dimension.
Shadow That Shapes the Nose
The key to making the nose look three-dimensional is
keeping the bridge of the nose bright.
Here's how to add the shadow:
-
Shadow beside the nose
-
Shadow around the nostrils
-
Keep the bridge bright
Adding a triangular shadow beside the nose
makes the nose appear to project forward.
How to Add Shadow to the Hair
Add hair shadow
following the lines of the line art.
However, partway through,
the key is to add shadow slightly away from the line.
Doing this creates
a sense of dimension, as if the hair is lifting away
from the head.
If you trace the line too exactly,
it can end up looking like a pattern, so be careful.
Don't Overdo the Shadow, Either
More shadow isn't always better.
If you overdo it, it can:
-
Become too dark
-
Give an overly sultry impression
in some cases.
Once you've added a reasonable amount of shadow,
it's best to move on to the next color.
Recap
Here are the key points for realistic skin shading:
-
Decide the direction of the light
-
Add shadow starting near the line art
-
Layer lightly
-
Color with small, fine motions
-
Keep the gradient in mind
Just this alone can make a big difference in the finished quality of your coloring.
Next time, we'll show you how to layer even more color on top of this shadow to build up skin tone.
We hope you'll join us again next time.