Cross Hatching and Stippling of Pen Shading

Below about pen shading.

Cross hatching and stippling are two basic techniques to create tone and texture of the ink image. This is a traditional technique that is used by artists for centuries. They can be implemented in a manner that is tightly regulated.

In "The Ivy tree asylum, Van Gogh combines an intuitive cross-hatching and stippling to create boldly expressive techniques, which, of course, reflect the shape, texture, and the energy issue. spontaneity and fluidity of stroke questioner says a lot on the personality of the artist as they are. It is the artists' technical skills, even though the filtered personal vision, which determine the quality of the work of art.

If we see detailed close-ups of Whitby, this will help us to uncover how to combine the tonal cross hatching and stippling, and texture effects. Different techniques of cross hatching and stippling is used to provide shade and texture of the walls and roof. These techniques can be used separately, but combine to enhance their efficiency. Following the pattern of bricks and roof tiles are discussed, regional and cross-door hatch to show the depth of its tone and shape. Stippling was carried out in different densities so plain and patterned brick wall texture of the dirt, and offer different surfaces.

About cross hatching and stippling

This is how to make cross hatching and stippling

Cross Hatching and Stippling are the two basic techniques for the creation of tone and texture in an ink drawing. These are traditional techniques that have been used by artists for centuries. They can be applied in a tightly controlled manner, as in our drawing of Whitby above, or more freely and expressively, as in the Van Gogh drawing of trees below.

Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890)
Tree with Ivy in the Asylum,
(ink on paper, 1889)

In 'Tree with Ivy in the Asylum', Van Gogh intuitively combines cross hatching and stippling to create a bold expressive technique that naturally reflects the form, texture and energy of its subject. The spontaneity and fluidity of his pen strokes say as much about the artist's personality as they do about the subject. It is the skill of an artist's technique, filtered though a personal vision of the subject, that determines the quality of an artwork.

Combining Cross Hatching and Stippling
Whitby Detail 1 (top left)

If we look at a close-up detail of our Whitby drawing, it should help to reveal how cross hatching and stippling are combined for a tonal and textural effect. A range of cross hatching and stippling techniques have been used to give tone and texture to the walls and roofs. These techniques are not used independently from one another, but are combined to increase their effectiveness. After the brickwork and roof tile patterns had been sketched in, areas of tone were hatched and cross hatched over these to suggest depth and form. Stippling was then applied in various densities to both plain and brick patterned walls in order to convey the grime and texture of the different surfaces.

Whitby Detail 2 (bottom right)

In detail 2, graduating densities of stippling have been used to express the texture of the bushes and trees. Hatching and cross hatching, combined with stippling, have been applied to suggest a variety of other surface qualities ranging from metal lock-up doors, to smooth concrete and rough brickwork.

As a general rule, it is probably easier to apply cross hatching first, in order to build up the tonal structure of the drawing. Stippling tends to be used later to add subtlety and texture to the work.