DIMENSIONS: FORM / Guide
The representation of values in a painting or drawing. . . . To introduce degrees of darkness into [a drawing or painting] in order to render light and shadow or give the effect of color. . . . .to render the values of light and dark on [a drawn figure, object, etc.]. esp. in order to create an illusion of three-dimensionality
Implies partial darkness or something less bright than the surroundings. Shade indicates the lesser brightness and heat of an area where the direct rays of light do not fall
C O N S I D E R A T I O N S
The Painters Craft
Shade is descriptive of a degree of variation in color--for example, a lighter or darker shade of ink, a more reddish shade of purple. In any system of color gradation, a step in the scale may be called a shade.
[Mayer, Ralph. The Painter's Craft. An Introduction to Artist's Methods and Materials. Revised and updated by Steven Sheehan, Director of the Ralph Mayer Center, Yale University School of Art. New York: Penquin Group. 1948. 1991. p. 29]
R E F E R E N C E S
Shade n. 1. a comparative darkness caused by the interception of rays of light. 2. a place or an area of comparative darkness, as one sheltered from the sun: Let's sit in the shade. 3. See window shade. 4. a lampshade. 5. shades, a. gathering darkness: shades of night. b. Slang. sunglasses. c. a reminder of something: shades of the Inquisition. 6. Usually, shades. a secluded or obscure place. 7. comparative obscurity. 8. a specter or ghost. 9. Gk. and Rom. Religion. one of the spirits of the dead inhabiting Hades. 10. a shadow. 11. the degree of darkness of a color, determined by the quantity of black or by the lack of illumination. 12. [in pictorial representation and photography] comparative darkness; a relatively dark area. 13. a slight degree. 14. a small amount; touch. 14. anything used for protection against excessive light, heat, etc. 16. the shades, Hades, as the abode of the spirits of the dead. -v.t. 17. to produce shade in or on. 18. to obscure, dim, or darken. 19. to screen or hide from view. 20. To protect [something] from light, heat, etc., by or as by a screen. 21. to cover or screen [a candle, light, etc.] 22. Fine Arts. a. to introduce degrees of darkness into [a drawing or painting] in order to render light and shadow or give the effect of color. b. to render the values of light and dark on [a drawn figure, object, etc.]. esp. in order to create an illusion of three-dimensionality. 23. to change by imperceptible degrees. 24. to reduce [the price of something] by way of a concession. -v.i. 25. to pass or change by slight gradations, as one color, quality, or thing into another. [ME; OE sceadu; see Shadow; c. G. Schatten, Goth skadus, GK skótos] -Syn. 1. Gloom, Dusk, Shade, Shadow imply partial darkness or something less bright than the surroundings. Shade indicates the lesser brightness and heat of an area where the direct rays of light do not fall: the shade of a tree. It differs from Shadow in that it implies no particular form or definite limit, whereas shadow often refers to the form or outline of the object that intercepts the light: the shadow of a dog. 8. apparition, phantom, spirit. 14. trace, hint, suggestion. 15. veil, screen. 18. cloud, blur, obfuscate. 19. conceal, shelter.
-Ant. 1. light, glare.
Shading n. 1. a slight variation or difference of color, character, etc. 2. the act of a person or thing that shades. 3. the representation of values in a painting or drawing.
[Urdang, Laurence, ed. Random House Dictionary of The English Language. New York: Random House, 1968.]
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