Shading Course Overview

Shading Course Overview

👋 Welcome to the Shading Course! 

You have two options to go through the course materials:
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1) Self-Study Option

With the self-study option, you have access to:

  • The Course Website (You’re here now)
    This is where you can find all the lesson videos and step-by-step assignment instructions.

  • Discord Community (Read-Only)
    You can ask questions in the general Q&A channels and read all assignment channels, but posting your work for feedback is limited.

This option allows you to go at your own pace and work independently.
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2) Feedback Pass Option

If you want more guidance and personalized feedback, the Feedback Pass offers:

  • Full Access to Discord
    Post your assignments, ask questions, and get feedback from peers in all channels, including assignment channels.

  • Weekly Feedback Sessions on Zoom
    Join live sessions to ask me (Dorian) questions and get personal feedback on your work. Recordings of these sessions are also available if you can't attend live.

With the Feedback Pass, you’ll have more interaction and personalized support as you go through the course.
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Whether you choose to go through the course on your own or with the Feedback Pass, I wish you all the fun and success in the world. Now let's begin!

The Shading Course

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Welcome

  • Shading Course Overview
  • Material List
  • Feedback Sessions
  • Community Platform (Discord)
  • Private Coaching Session

Set Your Intention

  • Set Your Intention
  • Before and After
  • Make Space
  • Assignment Checklist

Module 1: Light & Shadow

  • What is Light?
  • Separating Light & Shadow
  • Practice: Egg Sketches
  • Light Types
  • Practice: Eggsperiments
  • Photography Tips
  • Practice: Terminator Studies

Module 2: Light Effects

  • Modeling Factors Overview
  • Reflected Light
  • Halftones, Highlight, and Center Light
  • Ambient Light & Occlusion
  • Penumbra and Review
  • Practice: ModFac Hunting
  • Practice: AO Study 1 (2D)
  • Practice: AO Study 2 (3D)

Module 3: Value Control

  • What are Values?
  • How to Draw Smooth Tones
  • Practice: Value Gradient
  • Practice: Value Couplets
  • ✍️ Practice: Value Scale

Module 4: Value Organisation

  • ▶️ How to Organize Values
  • Practice: 4-Tone Value Study
  • Practice: 5-Tone Value Study
  • Limited Range

Module 5: Realistic Shading

  • ▶️ Inclination & Brightness
  • Common Shading Mistakes
  • Practice: Halftone Quiz
  • Practice: Shading Simple Forms
  • Practice: The Perfect Egg
  • Practice: Shading Creatures

Module 6: Light Probes

  • Light Probes
  • Matte Surfaces
  • Reflective Surfaces
  • Fresnel Effect
  • Practice: Light Direction Quiz
  • Practice: Update Your Intention
  • Practice: Light Probes

Module 7: Showing Form

  • What is Form & Structure?
  • Geometric & Organic Form
  • 7 Tools for Showing Form
  • Practice: Section Lines
  • Practice: Building Blocks
  • Practice: Crosshatching
  • Practice: Draw a Box

Module 8: Inventing Shading

  • Halfway-to-Black Shading
  • Practice: HTB Worm
  • Inventing Cast Shadows
  • Practice: HTB Head
  • Practice: Refined HTB Head

Module 9: Maquettes

  • Introduction to Maquettes
  • Practice: Physical Maquette
  • Practice: Digital Maquette
  • Practice: Maquette Composition Study

Module 10: Final Projects

  • Practice: Maquette Drawing
  • Practice: Next Level
  • Closing the Circle

Resources

  • Recommended Reading
  • Artist Psychology
  • Interactive Light & Shadow

Bonus Demos & Paintovers

  • Feedback: Working Big to Small
  • Feedback: Apple Still-Life
  • Feedback: How to Compose with Focal Points
  • Feedback: Graphite Portrait Drawing
  • Demo: Digital Cast Painting Sketch
  • Demo: Digital Maquette Extended (Blender)
  • Demo: Halfway-to-Black Head (Blender)
  • Demo: Ambient Occlusion Paintover
  • Demo: Sphere Painting Feedback
  • Demo: Ambient Occlusion is Gradients!

Change Log

  • Change Log