Shading a portrait face

[rajanvenkat]

I use different layers and use blob brush with different low opacity, for creating shades on portraits. But the edges of the shades are not smooth.  Is there any way to achieve this? Thanks

[Doug A Roberts]

Can you show these not-smooth edges?

[Simmer1]

Hi,

I would recommend using the Pen Tool to create your contour shapes. You may find it gives you more accuracy and control.

[rajanvenkat]

Can I use pen tool for shading? whenever we draw using watercolor or pencil, we can create a smooth light and shade effect starting thick at the edges and then going thin. In Illustrator when I use blob brush with low opacity I try to achieve the shading effect. It is successful, by creating more layers with different opacity. To extend This is OK. But is there any other way to achieve the shade? not the sharp edges. Thanks

[Doug A Roberts]

Please show what you are doing, what you are not satisfied with, and what you would like to achieve instead.