High-quality stylus drawing is a real work of art. In art schools, a lot of attention is paid to the work done in pencil. Hatching is needed in order to give objects shape and volume. In second place is the drawing of light and shadow.
When using the technique, the emphasis should be on cross-hatching. The tone created in this way gives the overall impression of purity. If you look closely at the drawings of professionals, you can see that even in the darkest place a sheet of paper is visible.
Basic concepts in pencil hatching
To understand what a stroke is and to learn how to use this technique correctly in a drawing is not as difficult as it seems. To do this, you need to learn the basic concepts:
- Chiaroscuro. This phenomenon allows us to see objects three-dimensional.
- Glare - reflection of light on the surface of an object. Its intensity depends on the texture. Matte surfaces give less glare, glossy - more. There are materials on which glare is not visible. This is a tree, stones, porous textures.
- Penumbra (halftone) - a smooth transition between shadow and light.
- Reflex is an unsaturated bright spot in a darkened area. It is formed by rays reflected from closely lying objects.
- A shadow is a poorly lit or completely unlit area of a drawing object. It can be own or falling. The darkest part is called the light section.
- A dash is a line that can be long or short. It all depends on the task of the artist. Hatching can be applied in different directions. When one layer lays on another, the tonality of the pattern gradually builds up. The image gets an interesting grain.
Hatching in classic pencil drawing
Having figured out what a stroke is, we turn to its types. The figure uses direct and cross hatching. The first is:
- horizontal
- at an angle;
- vertical.
Cross hatching is applied on top of the line. Consider an example. First, a straight horizontal stroke is applied. Abrupt jagged lines are superimposed at an angle. Then a vertical stroke. This forms a beautiful mesh surface tone. Next, we impose a stroke with an inclination in the opposite direction and again vertical lines.
More clearly worked out should be the details of the figure, which are in the foreground. Here the contrasts of chiaroscuro are stronger. In the background, the drawing should be slightly hazy and turn into an aerial perspective. Shading in shape is used in the image of rounded objects, for example, balls, cones, cylinders. Lines emphasize the form, making it more expressive.
Alternative types of hatching
- The simplest pencil technique is dot hatching, which is applied by lightly tapping the stylus on paper. The larger the number of dots, the richer the tonality of the picture.
- Zigzag hatching resembles hooks, commas, curls that are applied randomly.
- Spraying technique. It resembles a drawing in pastel pencil. Hatching is done with a cotton swab or napkin. A sharp knife removes slate chips similar to dust. A cotton swab or a piece of napkin is dipped in there. Drawing is shaded on paper. The effect of pastel work is achieved.
Hatching Secrets
The principles by which hatching patterns are created:
- Hatching is done in separate lines. You can’t draw with a “snake” without tearing off your hand.
- A common mistake for beginners is comma-hatching. Try to keep the line straight. Many beginners do not immediately understand what a stroke is. The line should be lighter at the beginning and at the end, and in the middle more saturated.
- One convenient way for beginners is to hatch from shadow to light. The surface of any object is lit unevenly. Start work from the darkest place in the picture. You need to move from the shadow to the lighter part of the object, gradually increasing the stroke length.
- Hatching should be done with a confident hand and quick movements.
- During drawing, you need to rotate the pencil in the fingers. Thus, the stylus will be wiped evenly. This will sharpen it less often.
- If the drawing is performed on a horizontal surface, then you can not put your palm on the paper. You can accidentally rub the pattern with your hand and leave dirt on the sheet. The artist should learn to rely on the little finger when creating a drawing. Another option is to put a blank sheet of paper under your working hand.
- It is necessary to take into account the softness of the pencil. Information is always on the box. The harder the pencil, the more difficult it is to hatch.
You can understand what a stroke is and master the technique of drawing with a pencil only when more than one pile of paper has been damaged. Do not be afraid to draw the line incorrectly or go beyond the borders. Do not try to copy someone’s style of drawing. Over time, you will develop an individual style of pencil drawing.