WITH CROSSHATCHING Brenda Hoddinott L-01 INTERMEDIATE: CROSSHATCHING Whether you are trying crosshatching graduations for the very first time, or simply wishing to improve your current skills, this lesson has something for you. The process of drawing a smooth crosshatching graduation is discussed and illustrated. This lesson is divided into four sections: EXPLORING SHADING TECHNIQUES: I show three different graduated shading techniques and demonstrate how all three can be used in a single drawing. EXAMINING DRAWINGS SHADED WITH CROSSHATCHING GRADUATIONS: Classical crosshatching graduations are highly effective for achieving the illusion of multidimensional forms and diverse textures in various styles of drawing including high realism. Six drawings demonstrate a few practical applications for crosshatching graduations. GRADUATING WITH DIFFERENT PENCILS: You use various grades of pencils to practice drawing crosshatching graduations. Each grade of pencil produces a graduation with a different range of values. CROSSHATCHING A GRADUATION: You render a crosshatching graduation in which the different values flow smoothly into one another. In addition to using different pencils, you also vary the density of lines, and vary the pressure used in holding the pencils. Suggested supplies include 4H, 2H, HB, 2B, 3B, 4B, 6B, and 8B pencils and drawing paper. A full set of pencils from 8H to 8B would be even better. 8 PAGES – 17 ILLUSTRATIONS This lesson is recommended for artists and aspiring artists, of all levels and abilities, with an interest in learning the classical shading technique of graduated crosshatching. Curriculum is recommended for home schooling, academic and recreational fine art educators. Published by Hoddinott Fine Art Publishers, Halifax, NS, Canada – 2004 (Revised 2007)
Transcript
WITH CROSSHATCHING Brenda Hoddinott
L-01 INTERMEDIATE: CROSSHATCHING
Whether you are trying crosshatching graduations for the very first time, or simply wishing to improve your current skills, this lesson has something for you. The process of drawing a smooth crosshatching graduation is discussed and illustrated.
This lesson is divided into four sections:
EXPLORING SHADING TECHNIQUES: I show three different graduated shading techniques and demonstrate how all three can be used in a single drawing.
EXAMINING DRAWINGS SHADED WITH CROSSHATCHING GRADUATIONS: Classical crosshatching graduations are highly effective for achieving the illusion of multidimensional forms and diverse textures in various styles of drawing including high realism. Six drawings demonstrate a few practical applications for crosshatching graduations.
GRADUATING WITH DIFFERENT PENCILS: You use various grades of pencils to practice drawing crosshatching graduations. Each grade of pencil produces a graduation with a different range of values.
CROSSHATCHING A GRADUATION: You render a crosshatching graduation in which the different values flow smoothly into one another. In addition to using different pencils, you also vary the density of lines, and vary the pressure used in holding the pencils.
Suggested supplies include 4H, 2H, HB, 2B, 3B, 4B, 6B, and 8B pencils and drawing paper. A full set of pencils from 8H to 8B would be even better.
8 PAGES – 17 ILLUSTRATIONS This lesson is recommended for artists and aspiring artists, of all levels and abilities, with an interest in
learning the classical shading technique of graduated crosshatching. Curriculum is recommended for home schooling, academic and recreational fine art educators.
Published by Hoddinott Fine Art Publishers, Halifax, NS, Canada – 2004 (Revised 2007)
Copyright to al l art ic les, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the wri t ten permission of Brenda Hoddinott .
E-mail bhoddinott@hoddinott .com Web si te http:/ /www.f inearteducat ion.com or http:/ /www.drawspace.com
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EXPLORING SHADING TECHNIQUES Before you can draw realistic subjects, you need to learn how to render shading with graduations of values. Figures 201 to 203 show three different techniques for creating graduated shading: squirkling, hatching, and crosshatching.
Figures 201, 202, and 203: Three shading techniques; from left to right: squirkling, hatching, and crosshatching
Each graduated shading technique can be implemented into a drawing by itself or combined with others. For example, in Figure 204, the clothing is rendered with squirkling, the hair with hatching, and her face with crosshatching.
Figure 204: Three different types of graduations are used to accurately depict the various forms and textures in a portrait of a young lady named Manisha.
ART SPEAK
Shading (noun) refers to the various values that help make drawings look three-dimensional; (verb) refers to the process of adding shading to a drawing. Values are the different shades of gray created when you draw by varying both the density of the shading lines, and the pressure used in holding various pencils. Graduation (also called graduated shading or graduated values) is a continuous progression of values, from dark to light or light to dark. Squirkling is a method of shading that incorporates randomly drawn curved lines to create values. Hatching is a series of lines (called a set) drawn closely together to give the illusion of values. Crosshatching, a classical shading technique, is comprised of sets of lines drawn closely together, in which one set of lines crosses over (overlaps) another set.
Copyright to al l art ic les, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the wri t ten permission of Brenda Hoddinott .
E-mail bhoddinott@hoddinott .com Web si te http:/ /www.f inearteducat ion.com or http:/ /www.drawspace.com
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EXAMINING DRAWINGS SHADED WITH CROSSHATCHING GRADUATIONS Classical crosshatching graduations are highly effective for achieving the illusion of multidimensional forms and diverse textures in various styles of drawing, including realism. Leonardo Da Vinci excelled at using this shading technique for anatomical studies, portraits, and figurative drawings.
When you can render individual values (Figure 205) with precision, you are well on your way to learning how to graduate different values into one another (Figure 206). The goal of graduated shading is to keep the transitions between the different values flowing smoothly into one another.
Figures 205 and 206: A crosshatching graduation is created by graduating different values into one another.
Examine the crosshatching graduations in the drawings in Figures 207 to 212.
Figure 207: Crosshatching
graduations create the
complex forms of facial
anatomy, and the smooth
textures of skin and an eye.
ART SPEAK
Texture is the surface detail of an object, as defined in a drawing with various shading techniques. The senses of touch and sight help identify the surface texture of drawing subject. Form, as applied to drawing, is the illusion of the three-dimensional structure of a shape, created in a drawing with shading and/or perspective.
TTIIPP Lesson L01: Crosshatching Values shows you how to render a value scale as in Figure 205.
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Figure 211: A grape looks shiny and realistic after blending an under-drawing of crosshatching graduations.
Figure 208: This zany cartoon of an apple uses crosshatching graduations to define its spherical form and the fun patterns of its leaves. By shading the shadow with parallel hatching lines, the apple appears to be sitting firmly on a flat surface.
Figure 209: The soft petals of a mature rose
are completely rendered with crosshatching
graduations.
Figure 210: Crosshatching graduations create a powerful depiction of metal and wood in this drawing of a medieval dagger.
If you’re a fan of blending, you simply can’t beat
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Figure 215: Eight crosshatching graduations created with eight different pencils.
GRADUATING WITH DIFFERENT PENCILS In this section, you use various pencils to practice drawing crosshatching graduations. Ideally, you should try out a full set of pencils from 8H to 8B (however, use whatever pencils you have). Each grade of pencil produces a graduation with a different range of values; hence, with a full set, you can create an infinite range of values.
Use each of your grades of pencils to render a crosshatching graduation. I used a 4H, 2H, HB, 2B, 3B, 4B, 6B, and 8B (Figure 213).
Use any drawing process that works for you. I prefer to begin by drawing a graduation of parallel hatching lines from light to dark.
I make this set of lines a little lighter overall than I think it should be; when I begin adding the second set of lines the values become darker very quickly. I want to end up with a graduation, not a big blob of one value!
Then I turn my paper upside-down and draw a second set of hatching lines that overlaps the first set at an angle. Voila! Crosshatching!
Use the following two techniques:
Vary the density of the lines. Draw the sets of lines far apart for light values. To make darker values draw the lines progressively closer together.
Vary the pressure used in holding the pencil. Press very gently to make light values. Apply more pressure to make the values darker.
Begin on the left if you are right handed. If you are left handed, you may prefer to work from right to left.
Make your shading progressively darker as you work toward the right (or left for lefties).
Copyright to al l art ic les, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the wri t ten permission of Brenda Hoddinott .
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Figure 215: Light and middle values
CROSSHATCHING A GRADUATION Graduations are the primary ingredient in realistic shading. In this section, you render a crosshatching graduation in which the different values flow smoothly into one another.
1. Draw a long rectangular drawing format. You can turn your drawing format vertical (Figure 213), or horizontal (Figure 214), as you work.
Figure 213: Vertical drawing format
Figure 214:
Horizontal drawing format
2. Crosshatch light values from the top downward in a vertical format, or from the left toward the right in a horizontal format (right to left for lefties). Use whichever pencils work best for you. I used a 4H, 2H, HB, 2B, 3B, 4B, 6B, and 8B. In addition to using different pencils to create different values, you also need to vary the density of lines, and vary the pressure used in holding the pencils.
a) Begin with a graduation of hatching. Press lightly with light pencils to draw the lightest sections.
b) Add a second set of lines overlapping the first. Don’t forget, you can turn your drawing paper around for drawing the second set; I usually turn my paper upside down. Take your time; the values get darker very quickly when you add the second set of lines.
c) Make your shading progressively darker as you move downward (or toward the right or left). As you get closer to the end, make your lines closer together, press a little harder with the pencils, and change to darker pencils. Use your darkest pencil at the end.
Copyright to al l art ic les, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the wri t ten permission of Brenda Hoddinott .
E-mail bhoddinott@hoddinott .com Web si te http:/ /www.f inearteducat ion.com or http:/ /www.drawspace.com
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Figure 217: Dark values Figure 216: Middle values
3. Continue making your shading darker and darker, until you get almost to the end of your drawing space (Figure 216).
4. With your darkest pencils draw the darkest values (Figure 217). Continue until the end of your graduation is as dark as possible.
Touch up any sections you aren’t happy with by adding a few more short lines in between others.
TTIIPP If you find crosshatching graduations to be beyond your current skill level, try the following lessons first: F03: Playing With Pencils discusses and demonstrates various grades of pencils. F04: Graduated Values shows you how to draw a simple hatching graduation.
Copyright to al l art ic les, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the wri t ten permission of Brenda Hoddinott .
E-mail bhoddinott@hoddinott .com Web si te http:/ /www.f inearteducat ion.com or http:/ /www.drawspace.com
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BRENDA HODDINOTT - BIOGRAPHY As a self-educated teacher, visual artist, portraitist, forensic artist, and illustrator, Brenda Hoddinott utilizes diverse art media including graphite, technical pen, colored pencil, chalk pastel, charcoal, conté crayon, and oil paints.
My philosophy on teaching art is to focus primarily on the enjoyment aspects while gently introducing the technical and
academic. Hence, in creating a passion for the subject matter, the quest for knowledge also becomes enjoyable.
>Brenda Hoddinott<
Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Brenda grew up in the small town of Corner Brook. She developed strong technical competencies with a personal commitment to self directed learning, and the aid of assorted “Learn to Draw” books. During Brenda’s twenty-five year career as a self-educated civilian forensic artist, numerous criminal investigation departments have employed Brenda’s skills, including Royal Canadian Mounted Police and municipal police departments. In 1992, Brenda was honored with a commendation from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and in 1994, she was awarded a Certificate of Membership from “Forensic Artists International”.
Her home-based art career included graphic design, and teaching recreational drawing and painting classes. As supervisor of her community’s recreational art department, Brenda hired and trained teachers, and designed curriculum for several children’s art programs. In 1998, Brenda chose to end her eighteen-year career as an art educator in order to devote more time to writing, drawing, painting, and developing her websites.
Drawspace http://www.drawspace.com incorporates her unique style and innovative approach to curriculum development. This site offers downloadable and printable drawing classes for students of all abilities from the age of eight through adult. Students of all ages, levels and abilities have praised the simple step-by-step instructional approach. This site is respected as a resource for fine art educators, home schooling programs, and educational facilities throughout the world.
LEARN-TO-DRAW BOOKS BY BRENDA HODDINOTT Drawing for Dummies: Wiley Publishing, Inc., New, York, NY, this 336 page book
is available on various websites and in major bookstores internationally.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Drawing People: Winner of the Alpha-Penguin Book of the Year Award 2004, Alpha - Pearson Education – Macmillan, Indianapolis, IN, this 360 page book is available on various websites and in major bookstores internationally.
