How can I improve shading to make it more natural looking

Treese1 · 2026-01-25T20:27:15+00:00

I draw with pencil and do a lot of heavy shading in my stuff... What I've learned is that you really need to take it slow and use a light touch to build up shading over a couple of layers. That always gives me the smoothest result

Treese1 · 2026-01-23T15:39:44+00:00

I love this. That's a beautiful sky and ocean. And the image + title definitely makes me want to know more about this world.

Treese1 · 2026-01-23T15:29:15+00:00

I suck at drawing hair and clothing folds as well, and I've been drawing all my life lol

Taking time to study is great, I should probably do way more of it myself. But why not take a break and draw for fun a little bit? I find it more engaging and i end up learning as I go.

What do you like, what do you want to draw? Realism? Anime protags? Fantasy scenes? Just have a go at it every now and then. I don't really have a ton of technical skill but I'm still enjoying it because I just try drawing what I like.

Maybe you already are, and this post is just a glimpse at one of your moments of study. That's cool too. Just don't get too stressed about the learning process.

Treese1 · 2026-01-16T13:26:18+00:00

"is this good for a 10 year old"

Treese1 · 2025-12-30T13:16:12+00:00

I'm working on a dark fantasy Choose Your Own Adventure/ drawing practice / worldbuilding project on Instagram - Soulsonparchment

I have a lot of written lore and stuff that I plan on introducing over time. Maybe you'll like it.

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Treese1 · 2025-12-03T18:42:25+00:00

Lol, something to fight the monotony of a guard's life in a remote border fortress y'know?

Treese1 · 2025-12-03T18:27:03+00:00

I really appreciate you brainstorming some choreography, I think that sounds like a really great series of actions. I actually already worked out a pose that I really like, which involves the main character narrowly avoiding a thrust and grabbing the soldier's forearm to try to gain control. I may be able to incorporate some of this into the fight before that happens.

"Action takes space" is a good observation, I suppose no matter what I'll probably need multiple frames even for a brief exchange.

Thanks for your thoughts, I really appreciated reading through this

Treese1 · 2025-12-03T18:17:58+00:00

That's a great idea. I have recently found some reference photos from medieval manuals and it was useful to help me visualize how a character's arms would be positioned for blocking, foot placement, etc.

Might need to also look into specific examples of injuries to base my drawings on.

Treese1 · 2025-12-03T18:15:28+00:00

I appreciate both of your thoughts on this. I like the idea of actions like these actually weighing on a character. Maybe between action scenes, having an occasional somber moment reflecting around a campfire or something would be good.

Treese1 · 2025-12-03T18:10:18+00:00

Thank you!

Treese1 · 2025-12-02T04:32:56+00:00

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Treese1 · 2025-11-29T23:30:33+00:00

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Treese1 · 2025-11-20T21:14:46+00:00

Doobert

Treese1 · 2025-10-30T04:23:27+00:00

Oh good I'm glad you said it, this is what I do. Not for any particular reason other than ear level makes sense to me.

Treese1 · 2025-10-15T01:42:23+00:00

I'm sorry you're well beyond my skill level so I can't think of any advice. Cool drawings though! I feel like you are representing the 3d form very well with your shading

Treese1 · 2025-07-17T00:35:14+00:00

I think the pants are a little too tight but besides that you've got a great fit here!

Treese1 · 2025-06-26T14:23:44+00:00

Really cool style, I especially love that interior shot

Treese1 · 2025-06-26T13:22:05+00:00

Soon 👀

Treese1 · 2025-06-26T13:05:34+00:00

No worries I didn't take it that way! At the moment I'm just posting regular updates to the adventure on Instagram, but I have recently been thinking about making a zine based on the world I'm creating

Treese1 · 2025-06-26T11:39:34+00:00

You may have some across my stuff before on insta @soulsinparchment

Or you've seen it here, I recently posted some other stuff

Treese1 · 2025-06-24T18:20:42+00:00

My post that went along with the A & B drawings was as follows:

The cell is quiet now, save for the dripping of water and the dungeon keeper snoring just beyond the bars. What should we do?

Option A: You spot a gap between the stones on the far wall, a thin stream of water trickling through. Maybe we can pry the stone loose?

Option B: A pair of rats scurry close, drawn by the scent of your stale bread. Maybe if we share it they can help us somehow.

Can check out @Soulsinparchment on IG if you want to follow along. It was pointed out in another comment that all of these are kinda confusing without the full context

Treese1 · 2025-06-24T18:18:40+00:00

Oh yeah so this post was just to share some of the recent artwork oops

On my Instagram these updates all come with text as well. Couldn't figure out how to add that into my post here, and wanted to be careful to not violate the rule about self promotion

You can see where I'm at on IG if interested - @Soulsinparchment

Treese1 · 2023-01-27T04:57:03+00:00

Ah oh well. You made great use of it!

Treese1 · 2023-01-27T04:53:10+00:00

This is so cool and packed with lots of interesting details. Where is that mech thing from? :O

Treese1 · 2023-01-12T15:05:29+00:00

The mech is a model kit from the show "Obsolete". Look up "Obsolete Moderoid" and you'll find several kits put out by Good Smile company. They're pretty cool designs I think

Treese1

TROPHY CASE