Egg Chiaroscuro

Medium: pencil

• Draw a white egg using only one strong light source close to the egg at about a 45-degree angle above.
• Use a drawing pencil on white paper.
• Make the scale of the drawing monumentalized so that the egg is larger than actual size.
• There should be a horizon line behind the egg and the area above that line should be dark, so the highlights and halftones are in contrast with the background.
• Include all five areas of chiaroscuro: highlight, halftone, deep shadow, reflected light, and cast shadow.
• Shade by using continuous tone (sfumato).
• Try to arrange the lighting so a full range of contrast is achieved on the actual egg, and then draw it.
• The example is labeled to help you remember the 5 areas of chiaroscuro. Your drawing, however, should NOT be labeled.
• Take your time!
  

Student Example

Here is an example of the value scale and a sphere with all of the areas of chiaroscuro.