What term describes the representation of light and shade on a drawing?

The term that accurately describes the representation of light and shade on a drawing is shading. Shading refers specifically to the technique used to create the illusion of depth and form by varying the darkness or lightness of areas within the drawing. This is achieved through the application of different techniques, such as hatching, cross-hatching, or blending, which help convey how light interacts with surfaces and contours.

While the other terms are related to aspects of visual representation, they do not specifically encapsulate the process of depicting light and shade in the same manner. Tone generally refers to the overall lightness or darkness of a color, but does not imply the technique used to show changes in light and shadow. Highlighting focuses on the bright spots where light directly hits an object, rather than the gradual transition from light to dark. Rendering can encompass a broader range of artistic processes, including coloring and detailing, but does not singularly define the practice of illustrating light and shade. Understanding the distinction among these terms is critical for accurately describing drawing techniques in engineering design and other artistic disciplines.