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How does cross-hatching create the effect of shadow and form?
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drafting
Figure 1: Two techniques of representing an object. (A) Perspective drawing, suggesting that the object is cubical. (B) Orthographic top and front views, revealing that the object is not cubical.
In drafting and graphics, hatching is a technique used to create shading and modeling when using mediums that do not allow for blending, such as pen and ink.1
Cross-hatching enhances this effect by layering sets of parallel lines at angles so that they intersect one another. This method creates the appearance of shadow and form through the following principles:23
- Density and Value: The intensity of the shadow is determined by the number of lines used and their proximity to one another. By increasing the density of the intersecting lines, the artist creates a darker visual impression.123
- Modeling Form: By varying the concentration of these lines across a surface, a draftsman can suggest the volume and curvature of an object.1
- Foreshortening: Skilled use of cross-hatching can effectively indicate foreshortening, helping to convey the illusion of depth and three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional plane.23
By manipulating the intersection and spacing of these lines, artists can simulate complex light and shade without the need for traditional tonal blending.1