How to Draw Shadows with Colored Pencils: Easy Shading Techniques for Adult Coloring Books

Learn the basics of light, shadows and easy shading techniques with colored pencils that you can use on your coloring pages or artwork to create something amazing, even if you’re a beginner!
Find all my resources in the written blog post here: sarahrenaeclar...
In this video, I’m going to show you a simple method to get started with shading that anyone can learn, and give you some basic knowledge of the different types of shadows that you can add to your coloring pages or artwork. I’m using Prismacolor Premier Soft-Core Colored Pencils in this example, and my color palette comes from The Color Catalog, which is available at the link above, along with the coloring page I’ve used if you’d like to color along.
Watch PART 2: Advanced Shading Techniques for Adult Coloring Books: Realistic Lighting & Shadows - • Advanced Shading Techn...
Other videos you might enjoy:
Color Theory Basics (where I talk about “value”): • COLOR THEORY BASICS: U...
How to blend colored pencils: • How to BLEND COLORED P...
5 Tips to improve your coloring pages: • 5 EASY TIPS to Instant...
Please subscribe for art videos, tutorials, and more: sarahrenaeclar...
Become a channel member: / @sarahrenaeclark
Join my free Facebook group: sarahrenaeclar...
Find other great freebies, coloring pages, tutorials and resources: sarahrenaeclar...
Find me on Instagram: / sarahrenaeclark
#sarahrenaeclark #adultcoloring #coloredpencils

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Watch PART 2: Advanced Shading Techniques for Adult Coloring Books: Realistic Lighting & Shadows - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZiahJl7j9OUoLM

[@ildonoa3928]

I've seen several comments indicating the video is too fast. KZbin allows you to slow down (or speed up) the playback speed. If you are viewing this on a computer, if you hover your mouse pointer over the video, you will see a toolbar appear at the bottom of the video. There is a gear icon on this toolbar, click on the gear. One of the options on the menu that appears is "Playback speed". If you click on Playback Speed, you will see several options (.25, .75, etc.) with Normal checked. If you click on .25, .5 or .75, this will reduce the playback speed. Play around with these options until you find a more comfortable viewing speed. If you are watching on a mobile device, tap the video. A toolbar will appear on the top edge and the lower edge of the video. In the upper right hand corner there is a vertical meatball menu - three dots stacked on top of each other. If you tap on this, you will see a menu pop up from the bottom edge of your screen. The same playback speed option is available here. Hope this helps.

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Thanks for sharing this Brionne! I chose to speed up the video because the original would have been a few hours 🤦‍♀️ But I’ll make a point of slowing down important sections in future videos to help focus on key teaching moments- and maybe organise a live video color-along session in my Facebook group soon where you can ask questions and work through these kinds of examples with me! Anyone keen for that?

[@crystalfranklin2583]

@@SarahRenaeClark It would be great too if you could say what colors you're using.

[@ssreltd111]

Brionne: Thank you so much. I never knew this existed. I'm a newbie and like to do color alongs until I get the knack of coloring. Thanks again

[@deniseshockley]

Hello Sarah, I luv it when you explain the “why” you color this way or that way. It bakes it a lot easier to understand and apply it to our own coloring pages. Good job, and thanks 🤩

[@Ess81]

I'm a total newbie to shading and this is so helpful, thank you 😊

[@kippytx]

This was incredible helpful to me. I only have crayola pencils as I am on a fixed budget. I love coloring in adult coloring books, drawing and coloring gemstones. And drawing and coloring both mandalas and zentangle pieces. This makes a lot of sense. I am a new subscriber and I am learning so much. Thank you for sharing

[@kalekain3521]

You are really knowledgeable! Love how you actually teach instead of just assume everyone knows what you are doing :)

[@lumpcrabbarnacle3382]

I see you have a Coloring Through Cancer book on Amazon. A dear friend dropped me off some coloring books and colored pencils yesterday. I’m done with radiation but there’s many side effects that need to heal. I’m not the most creative or crafty person in the world but watching your videos this afternoon are getting me to look forward to trying your techniques and getting my mind off me. Thank you for the wonderful lessons. I hope your mom is doing well. God Bless you and our family.

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Sadly, my beautiful Mum passed a few years ago. But she was full of joy until her last moments, even making jokes with the nurses in her final week. I hope you heal quickly and are able to get back to health soon!

[@lumpcrabbarnacle3382]

@@SarahRenaeClark I am so sorry about your mum! What a beautiful person she is!

[@MindfulAura73]

I like watching these kind of videos especially after i barely passed art class in highschool with a Grade D 😅😅😅

[@missjoshemmett]

And then I discovered greyscale, and everything went easy peasy...

[@SarahRenaeClark]

You can actually make the greyscale look even better by applying these same tricks, but using the grey areas that they’ve already defined to work out where the shading goes. So still use dark and light colors instead of a single color to really make the shadow areas pop!

[@adriennemora5148]

What's grey scales?

[@porcelainmannequinn549]

@@adriennemora5148 drawing in shades of gray like black and white photos

[@lauradelacruz3971]

@@adriennemora5148 I think they’re referring to greyscale coloring books that have shading included in the illustrations so it’s easy to see what needs to be shaded

[@jameshenderson3600]

Do you mean easy?

[@kathrynmoffett4512]

Roses are red, violets are blue...I love your drawing skills and you! 🥰🥰🥰

[@larrybrinley8222]

I'd love an art space like that 😊

[@unwindoclock1231]

I'm Learning So Much From Your Videos!!

[@lauriemyers3]

This makes so much sense! I’ve never heard this concept explained like this! Thank you!

[@bellaplayz2232]

I was struggling to draw this thank god it turn out good I love you and your art fabulous beautiful no words hey your my idol

[@TravisBrady-wn8fr]

Yay! These are the things I want to learn. Thanks alot!

[@WrrrGamer]

I just liked and followed your KZbin and Facebook pages I’ve been trying to get into coloring in the last couple days and am an absolute noob when it comes to this stuff. So can’t wait to learn more about all this.

[@OohMax]

Wish there was a love button… thank you for your simplistic teaching methods. I have learned so much. Thank you thank you thank you

[@creativitystudio5743]

I am a new beginner artist looking for tips on realism. Because I want to start a KZbin channel. Your tips help me a lot.

[@atticusfinch4266]

thank you so much. I actually feel encouraged by your examples.

[@angelakirkEarnest]

You are A great teacher, I like how your videos get to the point with good explanation, and minimum other chit-chat, so I'm not trying to forward the Video. You add in other options and techniques to get different results. Your videos are timed perfect. Good job. I also like your huemer.

[@nickellfrancis1128]

Beautiful flowers love the color vibe

[@KarenAllisonrc]

A lot of hard work goes into ypur videos. You do a GREAT job of explaining. Your videos are a joy to watch. Thank you

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Thank you!

[@desireebryant3658]

Thank you. I am still struggling with this concept.

[@Wolfattwilight6986]

That lil guy behind u is stealin ur shit!! This was very useful, thank u!

[@scotthorner4417]

I am currently starting coloring due to being in hospital. I lost a leg so feel will have nothing but time. Hate the flat look like a kid but love realistic look.

[@SabrinaLink8888]

I have no idea where to put the shading and shadows. It's hard.

[@notsosassymarian]

I just found your channel. Thank you for your complete explanations and reviews. Blog is most excellent too!!

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Thank you!

[@glauberalvesferreira1390]

I really like the way you explain its amazing congratulations

[@beccagregory3586]

I want to get really good at drawing so videos like these help me a lot

[@clairewaldron2466]

Really good book, narrator also nit annoying like some are! Thanks

[@thristanjoshua2219]

Shading is my weakness, and this video helped me a lot. Thanks for sharing

[@SunKissedPeach]

Thank you for the tutorial, I've needed one to help me become a better artist, also your eyes are beautiful they shine like Pearls ✨ :)

[@aicirtkciub9167]

I suck at shading. All my colourings look monochromatic. I'm looking forward to this video

[@margaretknight8690]

Very helpful to have it all explained so clearly. Thanks!

[@lara-ce2kg]

I am excited about the worksheet

[@jyotsnajadiye4863]

A very well explained tutorial ! Thank u so much for sharing. God bless. 👌👍🌷

[@DAYbreaking_Ideas]

Very helpful! I love how colorists don't stay ‘within the lines’ per say. 😉

[@cpgupta3586]

I love your painting I want this picture

[@brandonsmith1198]

I want to say thank you and iron starting with VERITHIN burn France and the pencil number is 746 dark brown I just started shading a little bit and more darker on the top thanks for teaching me can’t wait until part two of the video

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Part 2 is already out- look for the compass picture on my channel, a few videos after this one!

[@ishajac3637]

So how are you getting the colors to look creamy instead of being able to kind of see the texture of the paper? Is it just a matter of applying pressure or is it the quality of the pencil? Or a combo of both?

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Combo of both! I cover this in a few of my other videos, especially my blending videos

[@ChelleBeeby]

💜💜💜TFS💜💜💜 I always struggle with this, thank you

[@YukinoKary]

Amazing your work.... i like this * ~ * i love colored pencil 💖🎨🖌️

[@gregdorsey3345]

Thank you! I really learned a lot!!

[@claudiuscambier5543]

Hello Sarah, i like your video's. Your explanation is quite clear and I have learned a lot. There are not many video's about this subject in Holland, so I watched your videos. Thanks

[@rockindhomestead436]

Thank you this is so helpful....my work is always so flat

[@chanegrobler750]

I recently discovered your page. I really love your work, you inspire me sooooo much. Thank you for that

[@deborahreeder7374]

Thank you! This was very helpful!

[@chelseabarnett-vj7qx]

Wow! That's amazing!

[@shinyjohnsonart]

Mam i Love Watching most of your channel videos all are helpful & AWSOME.

[@xiilvi]

Incredible!! Thanks

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

This is the video I was hoping to find on your channel, lol! Something about shading. My mind's eye finds it hard to just visualize shading when looking at coloring pages, so a "class" on it is something I've been wanting for awhile 😁 Thank you! Edit: Oh, may I ask how could I get that rose coloring sheet? Was that found online or was it one you designed?

[@SarahRenaeClark]

The rose sheet is on my website!

[@JeanneScherlinck]

This is absolutely fantastic, and I love it and appreciate your posting it. However, I’m curious as to why you didn’t tell us the name of the prisma colors that you were using? That would be very helpful to me! Thanks

[@joshwilkins4997]

I just tried to like this video twice.

[@HarrycaneArtsandCraftsOfficial]

Great technique ever I seen.. thank you for sharing Sarah. Your a masterpiece..

[@kiwess1]

Awesome, Video! I learn so much from your techniques!

[@gailsmith3531]

Thank you love your videos they help me so much

[@Karencolors]

Great.Itips! You make it like o easy. Tfs

[@Elysia07]

One thing i could never quite wrap my head around well. but maybe i just haven't practiced enough. Oh well, imo, it's not the most important thing for me since i just color casually for stress relief or whatever.

[@alli_went_bonkers]

Great topic! Ty!😃

[@astoria791]

Great video!. Thank you. :)

[@mavrichieioana9615]

The video is too fast and I can’t see all the movements especially when your hand is covering the page, is it possible to see a slow version of the colouring to understand where to place the shadows?

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Sorry about the hand! I’m working on trying to keep it out of the way! You can adjust the playback speed to slow down the video in particular parts if that helps.

[@Hakaridraw]

Video start at 8:07

[@itsgottobe17]

Great video. Absolutely love this image, may I ask where I can find it?

[@SarahRenaeClark]

I’ve included a link to the page in the blog post in the video description

[@itsgottobe17]

@@SarahRenaeClark Thank you

[@LipsitaArt]

Beautiful shading techniques with color pencils. The flowers turned out so pretty. Thank you so much for sharing. Let's stay connected #LipsitaArt

[@ellym279]

Thank you.

[@joangdemkoatgmail]

A thought. I bought a battery operated eraser, they have tiny tips. To create light, I tried coloring the item and then using the eraser to lighten. The eraser doesn't erase things completely, just enough to lighten up the color.

[@l9685]

another fantastic video i loved it. i am not sure if this is too much to ask but could you maybe share some tips on how avoid Muddiness the colour pencils give out. it often happens when i use colour pencils like prismacolor or any waxy type colour pencils. funny not so much with polychromos.

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Do you mean muddy colors or do you mean the waxy build up in texture? If it’s the wax build up, you can reduce this by doing lighter layers (and therefore, more layers) and you can use a tissue or cotton bud to remove excess wax carefully at the end. Some brands have more wax build up than others. Polychromos are oil-based, so they don’t have any wax build up.

[@l9685]

@@SarahRenaeClark yes like a waxy build up

[@melindanaumovic8124]

I love your videos. They’re very informative. I sketch and draw and have trouble with my light and shade. This helps a lot. Thankyou. ❤

[@MargieIslandArt]

How do I keep coloring pages clean while i color ? What’s the best to use a Firm ,tracing paper glove .I don’t want color pencils mix w others

[@annetteslisser9861]

Thank you very much 😘❤️💋

[@scapegoat3479]

Do you have to lay down the light colour first and go over it with the darker one? I've seen it done like that in another video and I get confused? Or do you just overlap them a bit? Thank you!

[@SarahRenaeClark]

With pencils, you can layer in any order.

[@scapegoat3479]

@@SarahRenaeClark thank you!

[@alicebloomfield4295]

Could you please review Giotto colored pencils? Thank you!

[@cfw900]

The link to the shading workbook does not work. Is there a link in the information below? I could not find it.

[@pamedwards365]

Where do I go it find that gradient color list for prismacolor

[@hanywgo7680]

Miss sara can explain me colour shades please

[@greygiraffe1403]

Where do you get the prismsscolor color palate from? It looks like it’s on your iPad but I can’t find an app

[@SarahRenaeClark]

It’s the Color catalog you can buy from my website

[@ishajac3637]

And can you recommend a GOOD white pen and pencil? The white that comes with my sets barely lays down over colored parts.

[@mholmes2078]

Question...could an approach be used wherein you color an entire object very lightly in the chosen color, then go back in and add the shading?

[@SarahRenaeClark]

I’ve definitely done this before!

[@usawalk574]

Nice sharing thanks

[@ZakiaKhanom]

We’re did you get that light thing from

[@brandonsmith1198]

Thanks for doing does at Touriel I just started on the Statue of Liberty and it’s not I don’t know what shading actually is break it down in a few steps

[@SarahRenaeClark]

I’d suggest finding some photos of the Statue of Liberty and looking at where the shadows are.

[@snuuby5468]

Sarah, I am having a problem colouring a very pale light-coloured flower. When I start colouring I start with the lightest colour but when I have added the shadows, shading and values it is no longer a light colour flower. How do you keep that pale flower from getting too dark?

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Use very light colors for the shading also- it might help to look at some photos of light flowers and really pay close attention to the different color in the light and dark areas of the photos

[@harukastorm4]

If the flower is really really light you could also try to leave the lightes parts of the flower completely White or as close to it as possible. And than only ad the color of the flower in the midtones and shadows.

[@rehamgergis8231]

Hi u are amazing Can i ask about brand of pencil color What is the name of it

[@riyajiya321]

First view, like, comment... Super video... like it most.... ❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍

[@lisasallery7860]

I don’t do digital colouring. I have this impression it’s ‘cheating’! I would be interested in downloading digital options but don’t know where to start really. Any ideas??

[@alooparathaqueen5075]

I like farmhouses

[@coolbeansgreens]

i wuve yoor ackcent

[@chrismann560]

I can’t find the color palette chart can you give me the name.

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Do you mean the Color Catalog?

[@chrismann560]

@@SarahRenaeClark yes. The one you use to get your color combination.

[@SarahRenaeClark]

The color palette I used is #414 from The Color Catalog Volume 2. And the page with all the Prismacolor numbers is part of the Color Catalog Companion.

[@chrismann560]

I didn’t realize you have to pay for the down or that you were the author. I’m new to your channel and did know you were an artist. Enjoy watch you..

[@dawn-marieoliver2393]

Were you using greens and blues as part of the shadow on some of the flowers? It looked like it, but didn't catch you saying anything about it.

[@SarahRenaeClark]

I didn’t in this video. However blue is great for shadows, as it creates a “cool” shadow that feels very natural, like a shadow produced by sunlight.

[@dawn-marieoliver2393]

@@SarahRenaeClark Cool. thank you!

[@ghettogyrlv]

Hi Sarah where did you get that school materials picture that you colored? Is it one of yours or did you purchase it from someehere?

[@SarahRenaeClark]

I’m not sure which one you mean, but if it’s from this video it would have been one of mine 😊

[@Itsparulsingh]

She speaks a lot like anne reardon from how to cook that.bdw nice work

[@dashanikaakins4566]

Thanks. I color like a third grader

[@conniediggs6736]

I have purchased both of your color palettes. How do I get the pages to show the colored pencil numbers as demonstrated in your video?

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Hi Connie! This is the Companion- do you have that as well? Maybe send me an email and I can check your order and help you out 😊

[@sheilagraber5577]

Way to fast for me but it’s beautiful

[@ildonoa3928]

If you are viewing this on a computer, if you hover your mouse pointer over the video, you will see a toolbar appear at the bottom of the video. There is a gear icon on this toolbar, click on the gear. One of the options on the menu that appears is "Playback speed". If you click on Playback Speed, you will see several options (.25, .75, etc.) with Normal checked. If you click on .25, .5 or .75, this will reduce the playback speed. Play around with these options until you find a more comfortable viewing speed. Hope this helps.

[@sheilagraber5577]

@@ildonoa3928 Thank you

[@gigimarangon8202]

Olá sou nova por aqui, gostaria muito de acompanhar melhor suas explicações seria possível colocar legendas em português do Brasil? Obrigado 🌹👍

[@flickdaman]

Is the uke on the wall real? It looks real ngl.

[@SarahRenaeClark]

Yes it’s real, but it’s broken 😔

[@annsterling_]

I think you have a little bit face similarlity with Rachel Blison.

[@DD-d6d3]

Skip to 1:37

[@phantasm_or_wraith4211]

This technique yields such gorgeous results! I had voted for this option. Loved the video, Sarah. Will definitely try this! @simansara4

[@Gymnasticsbysof]

Ty

[@Gymnasticsbysof]

I love this girl

[@FollowerofChrist104]

spread the gospel