Quick questions on Tonal shading techniques explained: O-Level Art

A strong drawing uses the full range from the brightest highlight to the darkest shadow. The brightest tone is often simply the untouched white of the paper, so highlights are reserved by leaving the paper bare rather than added later. Tone is built by controlling pressure and layering: light pressure or sparse marks give pale tones, while heavier pressure or denser, layered marks give the darks. A useful habit is to make a tonal strip first, a row of patches from white to black, to train your control of the whole range before applying it.

To make a flat shape look like solid form, the tone must change gradually and smoothly across it, with no abrupt steps. Whichever technique you use, the gradation from highlight through mid-tones to core shadow should be controlled so the surface looks rounded. Smooth gradation, plus a reserved highlight and a committed dark, is what turns shading from flat grey into convincing three-dimensional form.

Abrupt jumps between tones make a surface look faceted; build smooth gradation for rounded form.

Random scribbling looks messy; controlled, considered hatching that follows the form looks deliberate and describes the surface.

Explain the difference between hatching and stippling. [2 marks]

Why is it important to use the full tonal range in a drawing? [3 marks]

Contrast how graphite, charcoal and pen produce tone. [3 marks]