Secrets of a Sphere...FINALLY!

I'm sure a handful of you didn't understand how "Secrets of a Sphere" had any relevance to art, but when I created the title, the following post was what went through my head. SEE I'M ALWAYS 10 STEPS AHEAD!...not really, I just didn't feel like drawing a sphere before...

Anyways, here is a step-by-step on how to draw one of the simplest, yet most important objects. I believe that once you learn how to draw a sphere, you can conquer ANYTHING. Make this, and you can call yourself an artist. WOOOO!

1. Step One: Trace a cup. Yes, it's already that simple. And since I'm going to be shading, I identified a light source. So pick anywhere!

 2. Then, I made a value scale (those random boxes on the bottom right). You don't have to, but it looks really pro...and it just might help you separate your darks and lights!

And, I found the center of my sphere and "blocked out" (TERMINOLOGY--DO YOU REMEMBER IT?) my values.

3. Start coloring! I shaded the whole thing lightly. And, I made neat lines so I could see the curves of the sphere to help me out later! THERE I AM THINKING AHEAD AGAIN!

4. But, I decided that neatness is for losers, so I brought out my personality in the lines: SLOPPINESS. Just go over the 'assigned sections' again and again till you get the darkness you need to. DO WHAT FEELS RIGHT.


5. Now that people can kind of (maybe not actually) tell that I'm drawing a sphere, I decided to draw a shadow. If you're looking at a real ball, then copy where the shadow goes, but if not, just do what looks logical.

6. I decided to smoothen out my ball because I wanted to make my shadow like all funky, instead. So Here's what I did.
OH WAIT, IMPORTANT EDUCATIONAL NOTE: All spheres, in their darkest corner, have what's called a reflection. See the white between the shadow and dark side?--It actually exists. Just look closely this time with an artist mindset!... I just blew your freakin mind didn't I.


7. WOOO WE'RE DONE!
IT WASN'T SO BAD RIGHT? Anyways, since I just had to go about this 100%,  I created a table or something for it to rest on, and I did this thing in the back just to contrast the ball from the wall (RHYMEZ ARE MY FORTE)

By the way, you can't really tell, but I sort of outlined my sphere, but not enough for it to look like a cartoon. Do it. Trust me. 

Oh, and I smoothened out my shadow because my dad walked in while I was working and said it looked stupid...SO TADA. 

Questions? Let me know!