Hatching is a shading method where lines are in a series of either parallel or radiating. Hatching is making a set of close parallel lines. When hatching, an artist's pencil moves in a rhythmic manner to get the lines evenly spaced, gradually making the lines longer and then shorter in length. Hatching is a skill that requires a lot of practice and still can be difficult in certain situations, even for the skilled artist.

Hatching is a little different for right- handed artists, than left-handed ones. For the right-handed artist, hatching is done the easiest by the diagonal running from the lower left to the upper right. Left-handed artists usually the opposite, running from upper left to lower right. However, as in all art, practice will make hatching come comfortably in all directions. The direction of light in your art will often affect the direction in which your hatching should be drawn.

The lines for hatching are generally short and straight. They differ from each line in length, direction, and pressure, yet they are made at one time. They are not drawn individually.

Cross-hatching is a process where you hatch on top of hatching, forming a right angle. It is where you make sets of close parallel lines crossed over one another, us

ually at right angles. This is done either casually or in a very controlled manner. There isn't a particular way of cross-hatching that fits every drawing or object in your drawing. Cross-hatching can be done multiple ways with many layers. Alternatively, it can be a simple crossing of two hatches.

Every artist benefits from mastering the skills of hatching and cross-hatching. For more info on this or on drawing the human figure, please contact info@learning2draw.com.

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