Chapter 6 | HATCHING
Hatching is the name for combinations of lines that are used to indicate depth, shadow or certain effects. A commonly used hatching is parallel hatching: all lines in the same direction, horizontally, diagonally or vertically. Right-handed artists often do this from (diagonally) right to left and left-handed artists from (diagonally) left to right. This is how you can often tell from a drawing whether the artist is right-handed or left-handed. Only for small details you will probably want to work a little slower and more with your fingers. By continuing for a bit longer, the hatching becomes denser and/or by pressing harder, the hatching becomes darker (image).
Exercise 1: It is nice to be able to hatch without cramps in your wrist and fingers. Try out loose hatching (images and VIDEO) and discover which direction feels best for you. Try moving relaxed from your elbow/forearm with a’still’ wrist and fingers. For very small and precise hatchings, you’ll probably work more with just your hand/fingers, but even then, relax, without squeezing. By continuing for a bit longer or by pressing harder, the hatching becomes denser and/or darker.
In prints by old masters you will find very precise and virtuoso hatching, from parallel to crossed and curved with shapes (to indicate curves, concave and convex).
Exercise 2: Look at the detail from the famous print ‘Big fish eat the little fish’ by Pieter van der Heyden after a design by Pieter Brueghel from 1557. Try to discover the different ways of hatching: parallel, crossed and curved. If necessary, copy small pieces. More about this formidable print in the lesson Animals, chapter 7, level 3.
Hatching is also often used in contemporary illustrations, in newspapers and (children’s) books. The American writer/illustrator Maurice Sendak made his Maxi monsters very cuddly by their very finely (cross)hatched woolly fur.
