Wow you're right, your linework, forms and anatomy really are soo good! For shading it really helps to keep the environment in mind (even if you won't actually draw a background). For my example I drew the light source behind him, slightly from the upper right side. So I colored in the light where I imagine the sun will hit him. Then for the main shadow, I colored everything in what the sun doesn't hit, in a neutral color which I took from the environment (here the sky). When a light source hits a surface it creates "bounce light", which literally bounces off the surface. Here, it is the grassy ground. So, some light gets reflected from the ground onto him. This, I colored in a slighty green color, where I imagined it would be reflected onto him. Then for the darkest shadows: those are the places where neither the main light source nor the bounce light will reach. I really hope this helps. Shading is really complicated and it takes a lot of practise. It always helps to have some reference pictures!

giant design - Rendering - Community Driven Art Feedback Platform

Reece McCarthy · 2026-07-14T15:50:57.590Z

I've really hit a roadblock with shading and light. I've done it a lot in the past on lots of designs and it tends to ruin them, tbh. I have examples over on my insta of my other work, but I just wanted to get some help on how to shade this guy. I think my forms and anatomy and design is pretty good at this point, and I feel like I always make some cool linework which I'm then scared to take to the next stage. I usually paint shading and light in greyscale then overlay colours, maybe that's hurting me? Not sure, but some help with where to start here would be great. Thanks!

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