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Description
So let me be straight up in saying that this is probably an overly simplified tutorial... I'm not going to go into more complicated issues such as if there are multiple light sources or anything like that. This is more me trying to get out the basic thought process and solidify it in my own mind and as a jumping off point for others!

Soft or Curved Shapes

1. Start with Base color and shadow
2. Add core shadow
3. Add reflected light
If the object is free floating the reflected light will be the color of the background lightened and mixed with the base
If the object is in a scene the reflected light will be the color of whatever the light is bouncing off of lightened and mixed with the base
4. Add Highlights and specular

Hard Edged Shapes
1. Divide your hard edged shape into quadrants/planes based on where the light is hitting
c1. the quadrent/plane most directly facing the light source
c2. the quadrent/plane in the mid range of the light source
c3. the quadrent/plane facing away from the light source/in shadow
depending on the type of object you are drawing there may be fewer or more than 3 quadrants in which case additional quadrants would be additional shades depending on their angle towards (or away) from the light source
2. Give each side a bit of soft shading to emphasize the plane
For c1 I add some of the color from c2
For c2 I add some of the color from c3
For c3 I add reflected light
5. Define the hard edges of the shape laying down 'core shadow' at the hard edge where the plane turns.

4. Add highlights and specular to edges facing the light.

Originally the example with the ring was meant to be one where all stages of the image can be used to effectively represent a metal texture depending on the level of detail desired.
Curved or soft shapes work best with this idea in mind!

flat or sharp edges shapes require a bit more work and wibbling in order to read properly as 'metallic'

Description
So let me be straight up in saying that this is probably an overly simplified tutorial... I'm not going to go into more complicated issues such as if there are multiple light sources or anything like that. This is more me trying to get out the basic thought process and solidify it in my own mind and as a jumping off point for others!

Soft or Curved Shapes

1. Start with Base color and shadow
2. Add core shadow
3. Add reflected light
If the object is free floating the reflected light will be the color of the background lightened and mixed with the base
If the object is in a scene the reflected light will be the color of whatever the light is bouncing off of lightened and mixed with the base
4. Add Highlights and specular

Hard Edged Shapes
1. Divide your hard edged shape into quadrants/planes based on where the light is hitting
c1. the quadrent/plane most directly facing the light source
c2. the quadrent/plane in the mid range of the light source
c3. the quadrent/plane facing away from the light source/in shadow
depending on the type of object you are drawing there may be fewer or more than 3 quadrants in which case additional quadrants would be additional shades depending on their angle towards (or away) from the light source
2. Give each side a bit of soft shading to emphasize the plane
For c1 I add some of the color from c2
For c2 I add some of the color from c3
For c3 I add reflected light
5. Define the hard edges of the shape laying down 'core shadow' at the hard edge where the plane turns.

4. Add highlights and specular to edges facing the light.

Originally the example with the ring was meant to be one where all stages of the image can be used to effectively represent a metal texture depending on the level of detail desired.
Curved or soft shapes work best with this idea in mind!

flat or sharp edges shapes require a bit more work and wibbling in order to read properly as 'metallic'