Middle school and above aged kids will learn basic shading techniques in this project. The focus will be on techniques used when drawing with pencil, charcoal, pen, and marker. We’ve included a free printable to make this an easy project for home or the classroom.

Completed shading techniques worksheets using pencil, pen and charcoal - kids activities blog
A quick and easy way to practice shading techniques!

Exploring Shading with 3D shapes

Artists use many techniques to shade and we will explore a few of them in this project. When kids understand shading, they can draw a circle and easily give it the appearance of a sphere. This element of art is known as “form.”

Painters create the appearance of form on a flat surface by using light, shadow, the appearance of an object’s contours, negative space, and the surrounding objects around the subject matter.

MasterClass

RELATED: See our Value Scale Project for more on shading skills.

Supplies needed for the Shading Techniques Art Project for Older Kids

Shading techniques supplies including printable, pencil, charcoal, pens. etc. - kids activities blog
Very few supplies are needed for this activity
  • Free “Shading Techniques” Printable (Download Below)
  • Pencil
  • Charcoal
  • Pen and/or Marker
  • Optional Blending Tool – such as cotton swab, tissue, tortillon, blending stump, etc.

Download the Shading Techniques Printable Here

Using this printable saves kids time from drawing the shapes to shade. By having the shapes already drawn, kids can go straight into learning about shadows and various shading techniques.

Directions TO Shading Techniques Art Project

Before beginning the project, have kids look around the room at different objects to see how light creates shadows. Point out how the object appears lighter where the light hits the object and darker where it doesn’t. Have kids keep this in mind for the duration of this project.

While I encourage the kids to choose which drawing mediums they want to use for each circle, remind them to use all options within this project. This project is about exploring new techniques, not perfection.

Step 1

step 1 - filling in the blending circle by smoothly applying graphite and charcoal - kids activities blog
first, fill in the blending circle

Blending is generally the method that most kids are familiar with. In this method, kids will use the pencil or charcoal to shade the circle. In blending, shading occurs by layering a medium and then blending it to give it a smoother appearance. Basically, kids want to color more heavily, or add more layers, where they wish to create darker areas. They will lessen pressure on their tool and color fewer layers in the lighter areas. Once kids are finished with shading, they can then use their finger, or a blending tool, to blend the medium to give it a smoother appearance.

Step 2

Step 2 - scribbling in second circle using pen - kid activities blog
Next, A chance for kids to scribble during art time!

Scribbling is a fun technique that can be accomplished using any of the tools listed. Just like in the previous circle, kids will layer more scribbles in areas that they wish to be darker, and fewer scribbles in areas they want to appear lighter. In this exercise, refrain from blending these lines as it will take away the scribbling effect.

Step 3

step 3 - adding dots to the stippling circle using pens - kids activities blog
Remember to be gentle with marker tips when stippling!

The next circle can also be completed by any medium listed, but I generally encourage kids to use whichever medium has the thickest point. Stippling can be one of the most time consuming of the shading methods. This shading technique uses dots to darken areas. Artists apply more dots to areas they wish to be darker, and fewer dots in areas they want to appear lighter. Therefore, darker areas will have more dots closely together, while lighter areas will have fewer dots, further apart.

Step 4

step 4 - hatching - using a pencil to draw lines for shading - kids activities blog
Adding lots of lines for the hatching method

Hatching can also be completed using any medium mentioned. Hatching is similar to stippling, but artists are using lines instead of dots. In this circle, kids will draw more lines, closely together, in areas that they want to appear darker. In this exercise, encourage drawing in only one direction.

Step 5

step 5 - using pens more cross-hatching - kids activities blog
Crossing lines over one another to create deeper shadows

Cross-Hatching takes the hatching method one step further. Instead of just drawing lines on one direction, artists will overlap hatching lines in various directions to achieve darker areas.

Step 6

step 6 - using pencils to shade following the shape of the object in contour  - kids activities blog
Artists Follow the shape of the object in contour Shading

In this technique, kids need to follow the shape of the circle when placing their lines. Kids may again use the tool and medium of their choice for this circle.

Contour shading allows the artist to give form to their artwork. By following the shape of the circle, students may notice that this circle begins to look more like a sphere and less flat. Remind kids to keep this idea in mind when moving on to the next step.

Step 7

Step 7 - using various shading techniques and supplies to shade shapes - kids activities blog
Finally, use any techniques and supplies to shade the bottom shapes!

Kids will then pick one method, and one medium, to shade each of the four shapes differently at the bottom of the page. Remind kids to use contour lines to help give the shapes form.

Finished Shading Techniques Art Project

completed shading techniques worksheets - kids activities blog
it’s so easy to review shading techniques with this activity!

I love how these projects turn out. It’s a great way for kids to work on shading while bringing form into their drawings. Now that students better understand these techniques, they can use the various methods in drawings of their own design.

Our Experience Making this Shading Techniques Art Project

I use this project yearly for my middle schoolers and above. I believe it’s a great way to introduce various shading techniques and tools while giving the kids a new appreciation for art. They quickly learn that it can be a bit trickier than expected to get the results they desire, and that some methods can be quite time consuming.

Shading Techniques Art Project Variations

  • Limit kids to only using one medium for the entire project.
  • Use colored mediums.
  • Have kids draw their own shapes or designs afterwards to further practice techniques.
  • Have kids combine various shading techniques into one project.
Yield: 1

Shading Techniques Art Project for Older Kids

Shading Techniques Art Project for Older Kids

Middle school and above aged kids will learn basic shading techniques in this project. The focus will be on techniques used when drawing with pencil, charcoal, pen, and marker.

Prep Time 1 minute
Active Time 20 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes
Difficulty Medium
Estimated Cost $1

Materials

  • Free "Shading Techniques" Printable

Tools

  • Pencil
  • Charcoal
  • Pen and/or Marker
  • Optional Blending Tool – such as cotton swab, tissue, tortillon, blending stump, etc.

Instructions

  1. Blending - Color more heavily, or more layers, to create darker areas. Lessen pressure and color fewer layers for lighter areas. Once kids are finished with shading, they use their finger, or a blending tool, to blend the graphite or charcoal to give it a smoother appearance.
  2. Scribbling - Kids layer more scribbles in areas that they wish to be darker, and fewer scribbles in areas that they want to appear lighter. Refrain from blending these lines as it can remove the scribbling effect.
  3. Stippling - Artists apply more dots to areas they wish to be darker, and fewer dots in areas they wish to appear lighter.
  4. Hatching - Draw more lines, closely together, in areas to appear darker. In this exercise, encourage drawing in only one direction.
  5. Cross-Hatching - Overlap hatching lines in various directions to achieve darker areas.
  6. Contour - Follow the shape of the circle when applying shading technique.
  7. Pick one method, and one medium, for each of the four shapes at the bottom of the page. Use contour lines to help give the shapes form.

Notes

Before beginning the project, have kids look around the room at different objects to see how light creates shadows. Point out that the object appears lighter where the light hits the object and darker where it doesn’t. Have kids keep this in mind for the duration of this project.

While I encourage the kids to choose which drawing mediums they want to use for each circle, remind them to use all options within this project. This project is about exploring new techniques, not perfection.

Other fun Art Ideas from Kids Activities Blog

How did your kids enjoy the various shading techniques? Which method did they enjoy the most, or least?



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