GRADUATIONS
WITH
Brenda Hoddinott
F-09 BEGINNER: HATCHING
In this lesson, you use curved hatching lines and smoothly
rendered graduations to depict the illusion of depth, and
illustrate light and shadows on a close-up segment of a form.
Graduations are the primary ingredient in realistic shading. When your goal is to create a smooth
texture for a three-dimensional form, you need to keep the transition between the different values
flowing into one another as smoothly as possible.
Curriculum is divided into the following sections:
Ü RENDERING CONTOUR HATCHING: This section offers five helpful strategies to
improve your ability to render smooth contourhatching including: discovering and using
your natural hand movements, and using various pencils and drawing techniques.
Ü SMOOTH GRADUATIONS WITHCONTOUR HATCHING: You use curved hatching
lines to create a section of a three-dimensional form, and render smoothly rendered hatching
graduations further accentuate the illusion of depth.
Suggested drawing supplies include good quality white drawing paper, graphite pencils, kneaded
and vinyl erasers, and a pencil sharpener.
This project is recommended for artists with basic drawing skills, from age 12 to adult, as
well as home schooling, academic and recreational fine art educators.
8 PAGES – 10 ILLUSTRATIONS
Published by Hoddinott Fine Art Publishers, Halifax, NS, Canada – 2005 (Revised 2006)
Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and
may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
E-mail bhoddinott@hoddinott.com
Web site http://www.finearteducation.com or http://www.drawspace.com
- 2 -
RENDERING CONTOURHATCHING
Hatching is a series of lines (called a set) drawn closely together to give the illusion of values.
Depending on the shading effects you want, you can make the individual lines in hatching sets
far apart or close together. Contourhatching is a series of curved lines (called a set) drawn
closely together to give the illusion of values, and is ideal for rendering the illusion of three
dimensional form.
Curved lines are created when a straight line curves (or bends). Curved lines can be drawn thick
or thin. Values are the different shades of gray created when you draw by varying both the
density of the shading lines, and the pressure used in holding various pencils. Form as applied to
drawing, is the illusion of the three-dimensional structure of a shape, such as a circle, square or
triangle, created in a drawing with shading and/or perspective.
The following five strategies may prove very helpful for improving your ability to render contour
hatching:
1. USE DIFFERENT PENCILS TO DO SOME OF THE WORK: Your pencils play a
major role in the smooth progression of your graduations. Graduated shading is a continuous
progression of graduated values from dark to light or from light to dark. Beginners can
generally make do nicely with only three or four different graphite pencils. The pencils I use
most frequently are a 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B. The 2H is the lightest (hardest) and the 6B is
the darkest (softest). 2H works well for light values, HB and 2B are great for middle values,
and 4B and 6B are very good for darker values.
2. VARY THE DENSITY OF THE HATCHING LINES: Draw the curved hatching lines far
apart and few in number for light values. For darker values, you draw more lines closer
together; subsequently less of the white paper is still showing between the lines.
3. DRAW THE INDIVIDUAL HATCHING LINES DIFFERENT LENGTHS: The
transition from one value to the next is barely noticeable when the lines vary in length. Try
adding a few more short hatching lines in between others if the transition between your
values isn’t as smooth as you like.
4. VARY THE PRESSURE USED IN HOLDING YOUR PENCILS: Press lightly for the
really light values and a little harder for darker values.
5. USE YOUR NATURAL HAND MOVEMENTS: A critical aspect of achieving smooth
graduations withcontourhatching is utilizing your own natural hand movements. To
discover which are ideal for you, simply draw several sets of slightly curved lines. As you
draw, take note of how you make these lines, how smooth the lines look, and how
comfortable you feel while drawing them. Try many different ways of moving your pencil,
rotating your paper, or changing the directions of your lines, until you find the motions that
are the most natural for you.
SMOOTH GRADUATIONS WITHCONTOURHATCHING
In this exercise, curved hatching lines create a section of a three-dimensional form, and smoothly
rendered graduations further accentuate the illusion of depth by illustrating light and shadows.
Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and
may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
E-mail bhoddinott@hoddinott.com
Web site http://www.finearteducation.com or http://www.drawspace.com
- 3 -
ILLUSTRATION 09-01
1. Lightly sketch a small circular shape to represent
the highlight section of a form.
The center of this circular shape will be left white,
and represents the section closest to the light source
(which is from the upper right).
Sketching refers to the method used for creating a
quick, rough representation or outline of a
planned drawing subject. A sketch can also be a
completed work of art. Highlight refers to the
brightest area of a form where light bounces off
its surface and is usually the section closest to the
light source. Light source is the direction from
which a dominant light originates.
2. Add three curved lines to map the directions in
which the hatching lines will curve.
ILLUSTRATION 09-02
ILLUSTRATION 09-03
3. Add light shading to the upper
section of the map.
The shading begins very light
around the edge of the highlight
and becomes gradually darker
farther away from the light.
Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and
may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
E-mail bhoddinott@hoddinott.com
Web site http://www.finearteducation.com or http://www.drawspace.com
- 4 -
ILLUSTRATION 09-04
4. Continue adding shading that
become progressively darker
farther away from the light.
If your shading isn’t as
smooth as you like, you can touch it
up. To make lines lighter pat them
with your kneaded eraser molded to
a wedge shape. You can make
sections darker by drawing more
short curved hatching lines in
between others.
ILLUSTRATION 09-05
Always place a piece of
clean paper under your hand as
you draw.
Each time you work on a new
section, remember to move your
paper so it’s always under your
hand. This prevents you from
smudging your drawing, and
protects the paper from the oils in
your skin.
Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and
may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
E-mail bhoddinott@hoddinott.com
Web site http://www.finearteducation.com or http://www.drawspace.com
- 5 -
ILLUSTRATION 09-06
5. Graduate the darkest
shading downward to
identify the shadow
sections.
The values are very dark
because little light reaches a
shadow area on a form.
ILLUSTRATION 09-07
6. Continue pressing a little harder with
your pencils until the end of your
graduation is very dark.
6B will create the very darkest values.
The transition between the hatching
values is very smooth. The curved
hatching lines in the darkest shadow
sections are barely noticeable because
they are really close together with hardly
any of the white paper showing through.
As you add the dark shading, constantly
check the transition between the
different values and adjust the hatching
lines as needed.
Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and
may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
E-mail bhoddinott@hoddinott.com
Web site http://www.finearteducation.com or http://www.drawspace.com
- 6 -
ILLUSTRATION 09-08
7. Add raggedy curved hatching lines to the lower
section below the darkest shadow.
The lines need to feather gently downward
toward a lighter value. Switch to lighter
(harder) pencils and make sure they are
freshly sharpened.
ILLUSTRATION 09-09
Don’t forget that
you can turn your drawing
paper (or sketchbook) around
as you draw.
At this point, you are setting the
stage to add a rim of reflected
light. From here, the shading will
need to graduate lighter to
indicate the light values.
Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and
may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
E-mail bhoddinott@hoddinott.com
Web site http://www.finearteducation.com or http://www.drawspace.com
- 7 -
ILLUSTRATION 09-10
8. Graduate the
shading from the
dark shadow into
the section of
reflected light.
Use lighter pencils,
make your lines
farther apart, and
press more lightly
with your pencils
until the end of your
graduation is light.
9. Touch up any sections
you aren’t happy with.
If the transition between
your values isn’t as
smooth as you like, you
can improve it.
Try using various grades
of freshly sharpened
pencils to add a few more
short curved hatching
lines in between some of
your lines.
Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and
may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
E-mail bhoddinott@hoddinott.com
Web site http://www.finearteducation.com or http://www.drawspace.com
- 8 -
BRENDA HODDINOTT - BIOGRAPHY
As a self-educated teacher, visual artist, portraitist, forensic artist, and illustrator, Brenda
Hoddinott utilizes diverse art media including graphite, technical pen, colored pencil, chalk
pastel, charcoal, conté crayon, and oil paints.
My philosophy on teaching art is to focus primarily on the
enjoyment aspects while gently introducing the technical and
academic. Hence, in creating a passion for the subject matter,
the quest for knowledge also becomes enjoyable.
>Brenda Hoddinott<
Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Brenda grew up in the small town of Corner Brook. She
developed strong technical competencies with a personal commitment to self directed learning,
and the aid of assorted “Learn to Draw” books. During Brenda’s twenty-five year career as a
self-educated civilian forensic artist, numerous criminal investigation departments have
employed Brenda’s skills, including Royal Canadian Mounted Police and municipal police
departments. In 1992, Brenda was honored with a commendation from the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, and in 1994, she was awarded a Certificate of Membership from “Forensic
Artists International”.
Her home-based art career included graphic design, and teaching recreational drawing and
painting classes. As supervisor of her community’s recreational art department, Brenda hired and
trained teachers, and designed curriculum for several children’s art programs. In 1998, Brenda
chose to end her eighteen-year career as an art educator in order to devote more time to writing,
drawing, painting, and developing her websites.
Drawspace
http://www.drawspace.com incorporates her unique style and innovative approach to
curriculum development. This site offers downloadable and printable drawing classes for
students of all abilities from the age of eight through adult. Students of all ages, levels and
abilities have praised the simple step-by-step instructional approach. This site is respected as a
resource for fine art educators, home schooling programs, and educational facilities throughout
the world.
LEARN-TO-DRAW BOOKS BY BRENDA HODDINOTT
Drawing for Dummies (2003): Wiley Publishing, Inc., New, York, NY, this 336 page book
is available on various websites and in major bookstores internationally.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Drawing People (2004): Winner of the Alpha-Penguin
Book of the Year Award 2004, Alpha - Pearson Education – Macmillan, Indianapolis, IN,
this 360 page book is available on various websites and in major bookstores internationally.
. SMOOTH GRADUATIONS WITH CONTOUR HATCHING: You use curved hatching
lines to create a section of a three-dimensional form, and render smoothly rendered hatching.
SMOOTH GRADUATIONS WITH CONTOUR HATCHING
In this exercise, curved hatching lines create a section of a three-dimensional form, and smoothly
rendered graduations