Tonal Study

Basic Shapes

Lesson Summary

This lesson focuses on refining students' shading techniques by creating a tonal scale and rendering geometric shapes on kraft paper. Using both black and white colored pencils, students will explore the full range of tones, leveraging the natural mid-tone of the paper. The exercise aims to deepen their understanding of light and shadow, enhance their ability to depict three-dimensional forms, and elevate their overall drawing and painting skills.

Drawing on Toned Paper

Working on toned paper involves using the paper's mid-tone as the middle value while adding shadows with a black pencil and highlights with a white pencil. This method helps artists practice a full range of tonal values, from dark shadows to bright highlights, creating the illusion of depth and form. Drawings produced using this technique appear three-dimensional, as if they rise off the paper.

Understanding Lighting Principles

Lighting is fundamental to visual art because it allows us to perceive the world. Light rays bounce off objects, interact with surfaces, and reach our eyes, enabling us to see. Artists who understand how light interacts with objects can represent these effects in their artwork, making it more realistic and dynamic. By studying light, shadow, and reflection, artists gain a deeper ability to render form, texture, and atmosphere in their work.

Discussion Questions

What effect does drawing on toned paper produce, and how does it differ from drawing on white paper?
Why is the mid-tone of the paper important in this technique?
How do light rays allow us to perceive objects and their shapes?
Why is it essential for artists to understand the principles of light and shadow?
How does the placement of a light source affect the appearance of highlights and shadows on an object?

Materials Required

Tonal Template on Kraft Paper
Black and White Colored Pencils
Eraser

Step-by-Step Instructions

Part 1: Create a Tonal Scale

Prepare the Template: Use the provided 7-increment tonal scale template.
Shade the Scale:
- Start with the darkest value (solid black) on one end and the lightest value (white) on the other.
- Evenly distribute tones between these two extremes.
- The 4th tone (center of the scale) should match the natural tone of the kraft paper.
Refinement: Ensure smooth transitions between each tonal value.

Part 2: Shade Geometric Shapes

Establish a Light Source:
- Decide on a consistent light source for all shapes (e.g., top-left or top-right).
Shade Each Shape:
- Apply shading according to the shape's surface (e.g., curved shading for spheres, angular shading for cubes).
- Add form shadows, core shadows, and cast shadows for each shape.
Reflected Light:
- Add subtle reflected light to shadowed areas where light bounces off surrounding surfaces.
Add Highlights:
- Use the white pencil to emphasize highlights on areas directly hit by the light source.
- Be mindful of the placement and intensity of highlights to maintain realism.

Tips for Success

Blending: Use gentle, circular motions when shading to create smooth transitions between tones.

Layering: Build up values gradually for a richer and more polished look.

Light Source Consistency: Keep your light source consistent across all shapes to maintain realism.

Contrast: Maximize contrast between light and shadow to enhance the three-dimensional effect.

Printable Template: Download and Print on Toned Paper

Reference: Geometric Shapes — Cube, Cylinder, Sphere, Cone

Key Terminology

Value Scale: A graduated range of shades from light to dark, helping artists understand and organize tonal values.

Light Source: The origin of light, either natural (e.g., the sun) or artificial (e.g., a lamp), which determines the direction and intensity of light in a scene.

Form Shadow: The shadow on the surface of an object that is turned away from the light source.

Core Shadow: The darkest part of a form shadow, where minimal light reaches the object.

Cast Shadow: A dark area on a surface caused by an object blocking the light.

Reflected Light: Light that bounces off surrounding surfaces and softly illuminates shadowed areas.

Highlight: The brightest spot on an object where light directly hits it.