Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 4
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Visual Art
Curriculum Theme: Visual Art
Previous Lesson: Drawing: Types and Qualities of Lines.
Topic: Shading Techniques
Subject Matter: Shading techniques: cross hatching, hatching, pointillism, blurring; practice of shading methods.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define shading and state its purpose in drawing.
List shading techniques: hatching, cross hatching, pointillism, and blurring.
Explain how each shading technique is done.
State rules for achieving smooth tones and good shading effects.

Affective Domain:

Show interest in improving neatness and patience during shading practice.
Appreciate the use of light and shade to improve realism in drawings.
Demonstrate willingness to accept corrections and improve work.

Psychomotor Domain:

Produce light, medium, and dark tones using at least two shading techniques.
Apply hatching and cross hatching correctly with controlled strokes.
Shade a simple object drawing to show depth and form.

Work in pairs to compare shading samples and identify strengths and errors.
Participate in a short class critique by explaining the technique used.
Share materials responsibly and keep the workspace tidy.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
New Practical Fine Art for Senior Secondary Schools (relevant chapter on shading and drawing)
Encyclopaedia Britannica: Drawing (Art)
Khan Academy: Light and Shade (Chiaroscuro)
Tate: Hatching (Art Term)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Cardboards or drawing boards
Pencils (HB, 2B, 4B if available), erasers, sharpeners
Ball point pens for hatching practice
Plain paper and drawing sheets
Sample shaded drawings showing different techniques
Simple objects for observation (ball, cup, cylinder)

Rationale for the Lesson

Shading helps pupils to show light, form, and depth in drawings, making objects look more realistic. The skill is useful for school art tasks, poster work, and any drawing that needs good finishing.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can draw simple outlines and basic shapes using correct line control.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Shading Techniques

Meaning of Shading

Shading is the use of tones (light, medium, and dark) to show light and shadow on a drawing.

Purpose of Shading in Drawing

The following are purposes of shading:

To show light and shadow on an object.
To create the effect of depth and distance.
To make objects appear three-dimensional (realistic form).
To improve the finishing and attractiveness of a drawing.

Types of Shading Techniques

The following are shading techniques:

Hatching: Shading with parallel lines; closer lines give darker tones, wider gaps give lighter tones.
Cross hatching: Shading with two or more layers of crossing lines to build darker tones and texture.
Pointillism (stippling): Shading with dots; more dots in an area make it darker, fewer dots make it lighter.
Blurring (smudging): Shading by rubbing graphite gently to create smooth tone changes and soft edges.

Rules for Good Shading

The following are rules for good shading:

Identify the light source before shading.
Use light pressure first and increase gradually to build tone.
Keep strokes neat and consistent for hatching and cross hatching.
Blend gently when using blurring to avoid dirty marks.
Maintain clear difference between highlight, mid-tone, and shadow.
Keep paper clean by avoiding excessive hand smudges.

Practice Methods for Shading Techniques

The following are steps for practicing shading methods:

Draw three tone boxes and produce light, medium, and dark tones.
Practice hatching by changing line spacing to control tone.
Practice cross hatching by adding layers of crossing lines gradually.
Practice pointillism by using dots of similar size and varying density.
Practice blurring by shading lightly and blending to create smooth transitions.
Apply one technique to shade a simple object (sphere or cylinder) to show form.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a shaded drawing and an unshaded outline of the same object and asks pupils to observe the difference in appearance and depth.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe and mention differences such as realism, depth, and light and shadow effect.
Learning Point: Shading improves the realism and finishing of drawings.

Step 2: Meaning and Purpose of Shading

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines shading, explains tones, and lists the purposes of shading on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, copy notes, and respond to short questions on meaning and purpose.
Learning Point: Shading uses tones to show light and shadow and improve form in drawings.

Step 3: Hatching Technique

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates hatching with parallel lines, showing how spacing and pressure change tone, then produces three tones as samples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practice hatching on paper and produce light, medium, and dark tones.
Learning Point: Hatching creates tone using neat parallel lines and controlled spacing.

Step 4: Cross Hatching Technique

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates cross hatching by adding layers of crossing lines and shows how tone becomes darker with more layers.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practice cross hatching and compare tones made with one, two, and three layers.
Learning Point: Cross hatching builds darker tones with crossing line layers.

Step 5: Pointillism and Blurring Techniques

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation and Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates pointillism using dots of similar size and blurring by blending graphite gently, stressing cleanliness and control.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practice pointillism and blurring on separate tone boxes and observe tone changes.
Learning Point: Dots and blending can also produce tones and shading effects.

Step 6: Practical Application (Shading a Simple Object)

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to shade a simple object drawing (sphere or cylinder) using one selected technique, indicating highlight, mid-tone, and shadow areas.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils shade their drawings, applying the technique correctly and improving tone transitions.
Learning Point: Shading techniques can be applied to objects to show form and depth.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define shading.
List four shading techniques.
Explain how hatching and cross hatching are done.
State four rules for good shading.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summary and Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the lesson, comments on neatness and tone control, and gives an assignment to shade a simple object at home using two techniques on separate drawings.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils submit classwork or make corrections and note the assignment.
Learning Point: Regular practice improves shading quality and drawing finishing.

Lesson Keywords

Shading – Use of tones to show light and shadow in drawing.
Tone – Lightness or darkness in a shaded area.
Hatching – Shading with parallel lines.
Cross hatching – Shading with crossing layers of lines.
Pointillism – Shading with dots to form tones.
Blurring – Blending graphite to produce smooth shading.
Highlight – The brightest part where light hits an object.
Shadow – The darkest part where light is blocked.

Differentiation

Pupils who need support will practice tone boxes first and shade with hatching only, using a simple template. Pupils who progress faster will shade one object using cross hatching and another using blurring, showing clear highlight, mid-tone, and shadow.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure pupils understand the light source before shading and insist on neat strokes and clean work surfaces. Use short demonstrations for each technique and allow enough practice time for tone control and correct finishing.