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    Free download: shading guide to give depth to your illustrations
    Latest blog post

    Free download: shading guide to give depth to your illustrations

    Free shading guide to give volume to your illustrations. Shading is one of those aspects of drawing that mark a before and after in any illustration. That's why today we bring you a free downloadable shading guide, a practical resource designed to help you understand how to apply shadows in a clear, simple and effective way. At a time when more and more people are approaching digital illustration, mastering light and shadow becomes essential. It's not just about technique: shading is what allows transforming flat shapes into images with volume, depth and atmosphere. In addition, this resource is part of the learning proposed by the course Techniques of children's illustration with Procreate, where the creation of images with narrative intention and visual personality is worked on. Why shading is so important in illustration. Shading is key to build the illusion of three-dimensionality. Through light and shadow, we can define volumes, separate planes and give weight to the elements of a composition. But their function goes beyond the technical. In illustration, especially in children's illustration, shading also plays a narrative role. It allows creating atmospheres, suggesting emotions and directing the viewer's gaze towards the important points of the scene. A soft lighting can convey calm, while a strong contrast can generate tension or drama. In this sense, understanding how light works is fundamental to better tell a visual story.

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James Richardson

James Richardson

@monstercola

Oakland, United States

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    Venturia Animation Studios Venturia Animation Studios @venturia_animation Bogota, Colombia
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    • Traditional illustration
    • Fine Arts
    • Alpina es mi yogurt I Video Musical. Animation, 2D Animation, Film, Video, and TV project by Venturia Animation Studios - 12.10.2019
    • Distinguished Dinosaurs | IP for Movie/TV Series. Animation, 2D Animation, and Character Animation project by Venturia Animation Studios - 12.10.2019
    • Don Quixote of the Milky Way | Don Quixote in Space (Venturia's Original Series). Animation, 2D Animation, Character Animation, Film, Video, and TV project by Venturia Animation Studios - 12.10.2019
    • Waldo's Dream | Sequence for a Feature | Director's cut. Animation, 2D Animation, Character Animation, Film, Video, TV, Pencil Drawing, Music, and Filmmaking project by Venturia Animation Studios - 12.10.2019
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    Liniers Liniers @porliniers Norwich, United States
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    12,041
    • Traditional illustration
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    • Good morning. Traditional illustration project by Liniers - 07.01.2019
    • These are the album covers of musician friends that I have lovingly illustrated for them.. Traditional illustration project by Liniers - 06.27.2019
    • These are the covers I made for The New Yorker magazine (and some sketches too...). Traditional illustration project by Liniers - 06.27.2019
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    Ana Victoria Calderon Ana Victoria Calderon @anavictoriana Artista Mexico City, Mexico
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    • Traditional illustration
    • Join me for a Watercolor Retreat in Greece! Spring 2025. Events, Education, and Painting project by Ana Victoria Calderon - 09.16.2024
    • Portugal Watercolor Retreat 2024. Events, Education, Fine Arts, L, scape Architecture, and Painting project by Ana Victoria Calderon - 07.05.2023
    • Magic Jungle Book: Un manual para desarrollar el espíritu creativo. Writing, Editorial Design, Fine Arts, Creative Writing, and Creativit project by Ana Victoria Calderon - 05.26.2023
    • Magic Jungle 2023 / English & Español!. Events, Creative Consulting, Education, and Fine Arts project by Ana Victoria Calderon - 10.05.2022
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    Carlos Pacheco Carlos Pacheco @carlospach Historietista Majadahonda, Spain
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    5,298
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    Ariel Olivetti Ariel Olivetti @arielolivetti Dibujante , Historietista Buenos Aires, Argentina
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    • Mi Proyecto del curso: Ilustración para cómics: anatomía de un superhéroe. Comic, Traditional illustration, Character Design, Pencil Drawing, and Figure Drawing project by Ariel Olivetti - 06.09.2020
    • Mi Proyecto del curso: Ilustración de personajes en acrílico. Traditional illustration, Character Design, Painting, Comic, Acr, and lic Painting project by Ariel Olivetti - 01.23.2022
    • Acrylic illustrations 2. Comic, Figure Drawing, Traditional illustration, Acr, and lic Painting project by Ariel Olivetti - 01.07.2021
    • Ilustraciones en acrílico. Comic, Artistic Drawing, Acr, and lic Painting project by Ariel Olivetti - 01.07.2021
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