Using Tonal Values to Paint Shadows (Tutorial)

[@bobamundson3912]

It's amazing the difference strong shadows make. Also, I never heard of water soluble graphite until I saw this, so I learned something new today. Thanks for the video!

[@teohyc]

+Bob Amundson Graphite is very economical to use and very helpful for practise purposes

[@barbrajoan2554]

A very useful tutorial with tonal values. It let me see where I need help. I have that exact pencil and will try to use it the way you did. Thanks again Teoh.

[@teohyc]

Welcome :-)

[@greyareaRK1]

Glad to see this tutorial. I've been experimenting with pencil, ink, marker and watercolour in various combinations, though not in a methodical way. My best result has been with light overlapping ink washes to build up tone. I really like the look of the graphic wash you used from the pencil. It has a nice subtle texture.

[@teohyc]

+John Matthias I like the Graphitone wash because it is very clean and predictable. It can be used for a very stylized rather than painterly look.

[@ColleenM61]

Thank you! As a beginner I just took a look at some of mine and you are right! I need to back in and darken quite a few!

[@teohyc]

+Colleen M You can practise more by observing what you see in life. See how close some shades are to black.

[@jillbartos8893]

I enjoy using water soluble graphite pencils for value sketches. I've tried General's Sketch n Wash and Faber Castell Graphite Aquarelle. Nice video, I was curious about Graphitone and ArtGraf and you've given very helpful information. Thanks again!

[@teohyc]

Thanks. Graphitone has a nicer and more even tone, but it's difficult to make a quick large puddle. ArtGraf dissolves and mixes easily but the wash is not as even.

[@bluechromemina]

Thank you for pointing out the difference in values of color and gray tones in the picture. I have difficulty in seeing the difference in values. Do you have any tips on how to practice seeing values?

[@teohyc]

You can look through the scene using a red coloured sheet of acrylic. I would say start by using just black, white and grays to draw and practice first. After you're good at capturing the contrast, you can then move on to using colours. Seeing values is just comparing one value to another. Keep asking yourself this question: Is this darker or light? If darker, add one more shade over so that it's darker than the value beside.

[@bluechromemina]

Will do! Thank you very much!

[@MDCampbell]

Nice tutorial, Teoh! Very helpful for a beginner and a great reminder for experienced artists! Thank you! :)

[@teohyc]

Welcome :-)

[@hkwf]

i'm a beginner and always afraid of dark tone shadows covering the line below, as a result, the drawing looks dull without outstanding subject, it's a hindrance to overcome for me, thanks.

[@teohyc]

+Kwok Fai Ho Spend some time to study shadows in real life. Look at shadows of trees, your own shadows, shadows under a car, a bicycle, and shadows on a cloudy day. Study the contrast. You can learn a lot.

[@hkwf]

thanks for your advice

[@justinalvin1648]

i know it's kinda randomly asking but do anybody know of a good website to stream newly released tv shows online ?

[@Yorky222]

Teoh, can I recommend you use a cheap plastic pipette to put clean water into your palette. I have used one for years. Your dirty brush never goes in the clean water.

[@teohyc]

+Douglas Elliot That's a good idea. I usually just have two water containers. One for washing and the other for another round of wash and for getting clean water. So far it works fine for me. The first wash gets rid of the paint quite well.

[@teresakines8888]

Very helpful Teoh. Thanks as always.

[@rashone2879]

Hello, very helpful video which I will watch quite a few times. I wonder, have you ever used Perylene Maroon mixed with Pthalo Blue? The two colors mix to a beautiful, intense black. Also, Perylene Green is actually black if not mixed with water. These are interesting colors I've tried. Both are produced by Daniel Smith and Windsor & Newton.

[@teohyc]

I don’t have Perylene Maroon. But I use a warm red and Phthalo Blue mix quite often.

[@mindrawsstuff3562]

Awesome if you had to chose one which one will you choose? Handbook or stillman and birn for watercolor

[@teohyc]

+Min Draws stuff I prefer Handbook. I like the clothed hardcover.

[@geckonia]

I like handbook too. The paper is better for watercolor. Compared to the beta series anyway.

[@mindrawsstuff3562]

geckonia thansk

[@bonbonq9521]

Thanks! What a valuable lesson you gave us! Anyway. I was wondering what ink to use if I were to use twig for drawing. I only got a platinum carbon ink for my Lamy.

[@teohyc]

Platinum Carbon would be quite expensive for twig drawing. If you don't need waterproof, you can consider Chinese sumi ink, or other brands of sumi ink (ink ground from ink sticks).

[@bonbonq9521]

I see. I plan to use it with watercolor after. Do you have any recommendations for waterproof ink for twig or an empty brush pen? Thank youu :D

[@teohyc]

With watercolour, you can check out Noodlers Bulletproof Black which is quite economical for a 90ml bottle. But the ink does not dry fast. I'm not sure how you're going to use the ink with the twig so that may affect the drying time. As for empty brush pen, I would get a black coloured Pentel Color Brush pen and replace the ink inside.

[@bonbonq9521]

I see. This is very helpful. Trying it really soon! Thanks for the info :D

[@teohyc]

Here's a video on how to refill the Pentel Color Brush Pen kzbin.info/www/bejne/fl6qoGWjbZqdoas

[@lizhooton1552]

Very interesting video on the various types of gray and black tones in graphite (and ink). What fixative would you recommend please?

[@teohyc]

+Liz Hooton You can do a search for matte fixative. I use Schminke brand.

[@lisathaviu1154]

I do watercolors with graphite. I have used a brand called "Lascaux" that I bought in the US. It seems to work well.

[@prithwikantaroy6625]

Can the fountain pen ink from the bottle also be used with brush for washes, after diluting with sufficient clean water ? I have found that some inexpensive black inks , when used in wash work , are producing kind of greenish colour wash with yellowish borders or a light brown wash, after drying up.

[@teohyc]

It depends on the ink. Some ink will become brown, some will be bluish. It's difficult to find one that will just become light gray when diluted.

[@maryalgar8779]

Hi Teoh. Could you have used pencil markings (cross-hatching etc.) on sketch using Graphitone pencil dry and then use wet brush over that? Were you suggesting just get 2B, 4B, and 8B -- I didn't quite follow your recommendation.

[@teohyc]

+Mary Algar The Graphitone dissolves quite well so the pencil markers probably will be gone. As for which ones to get, get either 2B and 6B, or 4B and 8B.

[@maryalgar8779]

Thanks. I really liked the portrait that Liron Yanconsky did of you. Hope you liked it too.

[@liezelhaupt7172]

Thanks, this made me smile as I also did this in the beginning. It took a while for me to realize it and how to fix it. :-D

[@teohyc]

+Liezel Haupt I've a lot of old sketches which are quite dull

[@spencer0000000]

Hi Teoh, Can you demonstrate how you paint live fences? :D When I sketch them I'm always unsatisfied with the effect...

[@teohyc]

+spencer0000000 Live fences or fences? Without knowing what effect you are unsatisfied with, I would suggest you play around with the contrast. Have the fence white against dark, or dark against white, or white against grey.

[@mysummertouch]

Great video! Have you done the initial sketch with a liner or with a fountain pen with ink?

[@teohyc]

+mysummertouch I can't remember what I used. Probably fountain pen with waterproof ink (Noodlers Bulletproof Black).

[@AlphaGeekgirl]

I've read three posts that mentioned Liron Yanconski. Can someone tell me where this was?

[@teohyc]

+Debi Taylor You can just search KZbin for his name.

[@AlphaGeekgirl]

I meant the portrait of you that people have been talking about, so I searched the comments here thinking he was a commenter. Anyway, I googled him and finally found what everyone was referring to. ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpe6dId9ma2Gmdk

[@laluthomas3167]

Hi Teoh, can you please tell the name of that yellow you have used on the dome in coloured sketch?

[@teohyc]

Lemon Yellow mixed with New Gamboge (mostly)

[@laluthomas3167]

Thank you...beautiful colour...

[@yueseishuku]

Did you see your portrait that Liron Yanconsky did? Btw thank you for the video will help me a lot^^

[@teohyc]

+yueseishuku Yes, I saw that. 😂 He also drew other people

[@ColleenM61]

I just saw it today, I LOVE it, he did a great job!

[@debsmith7050]

This is great; learned do much :) Thanks

[@teohyc]

Thanks. Welcome :-)

[@RicardGomes76]

Apparently you don’t have any issue with paper buckling. Ty for the tips. Very helpful 👍🏼

[@astonedmind]

Dear Teoh, by any chance you are from Malaysia?

[@teohyc]

I'm from Singapore

[@astonedmind]

@@teohyc Dear Teoh, Owh that is lovely to know. We are neighbours in the geographical sense then. Much respect and admiration for your work. I could not help to notice that your reference photo reminded me of the lovely post colonial architecture that is common in our region. Cheers to your artistic endeavours, hope to see more.

[@carysfaerie]

Hey Teoh ~ Liron painted a portrait of you!

[@teohyc]

Yes, I saw. LOL

[@Nivenization]

Thank you.

[@daisy3690]

ty!

[@teohyc]

+daisy3690 Welcome 😁