The key characteristic that is featured in African rock paintings but is not present in European and Australian rock paintings is shading. The rock paintings of Africa feature complex and exquisitely minute details of shading.
Rock painting is one of the oldest art forms of Africa that is practised even today. The paintings depict human figures, animals and figures with both human and animal characteristics. Polychrome shading is very common in rock painting. This shading gives the painted objects a three-dimensional look and feel.