{"id":297,"date":"2026-07-01T10:35:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T08:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dreieck.com\/en\/?page_id=297"},"modified":"2026-07-01T12:13:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T10:13:39","slug":"hatching","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dreieck.com\/en\/drawing\/hatching\/","title":{"rendered":"Hatching: Learn the most important drawing techniques"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A draftsman’s best friend is hatching<\/strong>, isn’t it? Its range spans from simple and quick to complex and detailed. Proper hatching lets you render tonal values and three-dimensionality in an incomparable<\/strong> way. I love it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which variants of hatching exist, how the individual techniques work and how you eliminate typical sources of error<\/strong> is what I’ll show you in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the way: hatching techniques are also ideal as a warm-up exercise before drawing<\/a> the actual object.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sketches with personality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In contrast to blending<\/strong>, hatching usually looks somewhat coarser and more abstract. This results in an incomparable look with a character all of its own. Not least, the way you hatch even reflects the personality of the person drawing and can thus become a kind of signature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parallel hatching<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Parallel<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The visually simplest form of hatching is also often referred to as “simple hatching<\/strong>“. This supposedly easy technique, however, comes with a challenge right away: drawing parallel lines! Sounds easier than it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter how loose the lines are meant to look in the end, practice<\/strong> is required here. Hatching with parallels makes your drawing look especially light and gives it a strong character. Letters<\/a>, too, can be filled very effectively with parallel hatching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cross-hatching<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Cross-hatching\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here, too, the name says it all. With cross-hatching<\/strong>, the parallel lines overlap at a certain angle. It is essentially like laying two or more parallel hatchings on top of one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The basis here is often a 90\u00b0 angle – but all other overlap angles are possible as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contour hatching<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Contour<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To reinforce the perspective effect of a sketch, you try to align the parallel or cross-hatching with the edges of an object. However, that only works with relatively straight-lined objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to hatch round objects, you reach for another technique: contour hatching<\/strong>. Here your lines follow the shape of an object and thus create three-dimensionality. This type of hatching is also called contour stroke or contour-line hatching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circular hatching<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Circular<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Circular hatching<\/strong> (also known as circulism) stands out from the classic forms of hatching. With it you create a completely different structure to define the surface of your object. Set closely together, circular hatching is also suitable for creating relatively soft transitions between different levels of brightness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scribble hatching<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Scribble<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The term “scribble hatching<\/strong>” is certainly not set in stone – but it illustrates very nicely what it is about. With this type of hatching we forget all systems and arrangements and simply scribble away merrily. Admittedly – a bit of rational thinking is still necessary, because the number of overlaps leads to different tonal values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating different tonal values<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hatching is a great technique for creating different tonal values<\/strong>. This way you strengthen the perspective effect of a drawing not only by emphasizing the structure of an object, but at the same time you have the possibility to visualize light and shadow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You influence the tonal value of your hatching through various parameters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n