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View Full Version : How to Do Heavy Shading?

GothTropic411
04-09-2009, 03:29 PM
Hi guys, I have been working on my 2D for a couple of years and am adopting an animation style and have been trying to find my coloring style. Lately I've been very attracted to heavy shadowing from superhero comics and the new movies that have come out (Sin City, Spiderman, Watchmen, etc.) and have been inspired by the shading in Earthworm Jim, but I'm not sure of how to do them in my own drawings.

What steps does one do for this kind of art? How do you figure out where and when to use the heavy shadows? How many tones of color should you use alongside them for maximum effect, one or two? Thank you in advance! :D
Kirt
04-09-2009, 06:35 PM
It's all about form and lighting. If you understand how light affects the color values of the shape then you should be able to simplify towards the cell shading style easily.

The number of values that you use is up to you. At it's most basic structure you have only three (shadow, mid-tone and highlight) values. However, I've seen cases where an artist uses only two values and I've seen very complex illustrations that use 10 or more values.

Post some examples of your work and we'll be able to give more in depth critiques.
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04-09-2009, 06:35 PM
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