Com L02 - Graduations With Crosshatching

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)
2
EXPLORING SHADING TECHNIQUES ART SPEAK

Before you can draw realistic subjects, you need to learn how
Shading (noun)
to render shading with graduations of values. Figures 201 to refers to the various
203 show three different techniques for creating graduated values that help
shading: squirkling, hatching, and crosshatching. 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
Figures 201, 202, used in holding
and 203: Three various pencils.
shading Graduation (also
techniques; from called graduated
left to right: shading or
squirkling, graduated values)
hatching, and is a continuous
crosshatching progression of
values, from dark to
Each graduated shading technique can be implemented into a light or light to dark.
drawing by itself or combined with others. For example, in Squirkling is a
Figure 204, the clothing is rendered with squirkling, the hair method of shading
with hatching, and her face with crosshatching. that incorporates
randomly drawn
curved lines to
create values.
Hatching is a series
of lines (called a
Figure 204: set) drawn closely
Three together to give the
different illusion of values.
types of Crosshatching, a
graduations classical shading
are used to technique, is
accurately comprised of sets of
depict the lines drawn closely
various forms together, in which
and textures one set of lines
in a portrait crosses over
of a young (overlaps) another
lady named set.
Manisha.
Copyright to all articles, 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 written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
E-mail bhoddinott@hoddinott.com Web site http://www.finearteducation.com or http://www.drawspace.com
3
EXAMINING DRAWINGS SHADED ART SPEAK

WITH CROSSHATCHING Texture is the
GRADUATIONS surface detail of an
object, as defined
Classical crosshatching graduations are highly effective for
in a drawing with
achieving the illusion of multidimensional forms and diverse
various shading
textures in various styles of drawing, including realism.
techniques. The
Leonardo Da Vinci excelled at using this shading technique
senses of touch
for anatomical studies, portraits, and figurative drawings.
and sight help
When you can render individual values (Figure 205) with identify the surface
precision, you are well on your way to learning how to texture of drawing
graduate different values into one another (Figure 206). The subject.
goal of graduated shading is to keep the transitions between
Form, as applied
the different values flowing smoothly into one another.
to drawing, is the
illusion of the
three-dimensional
structure of a
shape, created in a
drawing with
shading and/or
perspective.
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: TIP

Crosshatching
graduations Lesson L01:
create the Crosshatching
complex forms Values shows
of facial you how to
anatomy, and render a value
the smooth scale as in
textures of skin Figure 205.
and an eye.
4
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
crosshatching graduations
for the under-drawing.
Figure 211: A grape looks shiny and

realistic after blending an under-drawing of
crosshatching graduations.
Figure 212: The same grape before blending.
5
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).
Figure 215: Eight crosshatching graduations created

with eight different pencils.
6
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. Figure 215: Light and middle values
7
TIP
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.
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.
Figure 216: Middle values Figure 217: Dark values
8
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.

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WITH CROSSHATCHING

This lesson is divided into four sections:

EXPLORING SHADING TECHNIQUES ART SPEAK

EXAMINING DRAWINGS SHADED ART SPEAK

Figures 205 and 206: A

Figure 207: TIP

Figure 208: This zany cartoon of an apple uses crosshatching

Figure 209: The soft

If you’re a fan of blending,

Figure 211: A grape looks shiny and

Figure 212: The same grape before blending.

GRADUATING WITH DIFFERENT PENCILS

Use each of your grades of pencils to

Figure 215: Eight crosshatching graduations created

1. Draw a long rectangular drawing format.

Figure 213: Vertical drawing format

2. Crosshatch light values from the top

BRENDA HODDINOTT - BIOGRAPHY

My philosophy on teaching art is to focus primarily on the

LEARN-TO-DRAW BOOKS BY BRENDA HODDINOTT

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