Just how wild can a rose get? I’m still experimenting with hatching instead of stippling, and this is the latest attempt.
I’m pleased with the overall effect, but there is work to do. Hatching takes more planning than stippling, you have to know where you are going, whereas with stippling you can build the tones and textures has you go.
More layers are needed to get greater tonal variation, and I need to try different subject matter.
There will be more …
Another page from my scrap book, an architectural scroll. I started by shading the outside with stippling.
Usually I would complete the whole picture with stippling, but this time I used hatching. The lines follow the contours and enhance the 3D effect.
I wasn’t sure if the mix of stippling and line was going to work, but I am pleased with the finished work.
Using the hatching technique is very different from stippling, even though the final aim is the same – to have a tonal finish that gives the impression of highlight and shadow, a convincing 3D effect.
With stippling the varying tone across an area can be built gradually until the desired effect is reached. Hatching and cross hatching requires more planning, but is quicker to execute. Stippling has a softer appearance overall, and different subjects lend themselves to a particular finish.
I used UniPin 0.05 fine liner.
What’s next, I wonder?
Continuing with my sketchbook at our Tuesday art gathering, I experimented with hatching, as opposed to stippling, for creating shape and texture in ink drawings.
I took my inspiration from old school techniques, as found in illustrated text books of the 50s and 60s, and a couple of modern ink artists.
The basic idea is for the lines to accentuate the form, creating the illusion of three dimensions, shading, and texture. One layer is called hatching, but the more layers added in different directions – called cross hatching – the more the shape is defined.
I chose to draw a peony this time. I used a 0.05 fine liner by Uni Pin.
I started with the flower. The difficulty here was to show tone, yet still have sufficient variation to give form. The leaves were simpler as they are not the main focus for the drawing. Lastly I added shadows. The principle is that shadows are darker the shaded areas, so hatching in four directions was necessary to get the required definition.
I am pleased with the image, it is dramatic with plenty of contrast. I shall be using this technique again. What do you think?
Pen and Lens Artwork 