I have been going through the lessons on this site and I have come to a block in hatching. I feel like I really suck at it. I did the serene scene and wasn't very happy with it and tried it a few more times and still was not happy with it so I moved on to tulip just for a variety and I cannot get it to look right either. *sigh* curving the hatching lines is not going well for me. DO any of you who are more seasoned have any tips on getting it right, I only have an HB 2b 4b and 6b pencil set and it does ask for a 2h pencil, but I just try to use the hb and not press hard but then sometime if the pencil turns slightly I get a dark line.... UGH... Help?

Hi, GetStephUp

Firstly - don't be discouraged! Persistence pays off.

If possible, it would be very helpful if you can scan or photograph your work and post it here, so we can see exactly what's happening. If you can't do that, then describing in a bit more detail what's "not right" about it would help us, too.

One thing you may find helpful, if you are not already doing it, is to hold the pencil lightly by the back, like the way an orchestral conductor might hold his baton (instead of holding it tightly at the front as if you were writing). Move your arm more from the elbow and shoulder, rather than from the wrist. It may also help if you keep back from the work rather than crouching over it. Think "big flowing gestures" rather than "writing". Any help?


Dave

I find hatching is one of the hardest ways to draw ..and get it right ...but Dave you have explained that well I may give it another try myself .

Also, you may wish to try mechanical pencils. They give a more uniform line without resharping. I recommend 2b lead at first. If you practice going light with it you can erase easier, with out my "scuff" to the paper, and you can also go darker with 2b than with regular hb lead.

Also, hatching is used for at least two reasons, to create value, and to create texture. You can do both with our own creative style of lines.

Bobby

Dave: I will try the technique you mentioned, I would love to scan the pics or put them up here for more help and I will as soon as I find my camera.

Kim: Do you use hatching at all? Do you feel it is required for a picture to come out right?

Bobby: Thank you for your tips, How could I find the lead for the mechanical pencils? I have looked all over for them and havent found mechanical pencils with different lead values.

It was so weird to me, I thought that the tulip and serene scene were going to be easy and the 3d spheres were going to be difficult, however, I breezed right through the spheres and they look great. I am so confused now, I dont know why my tulips are looking so wrong to me. The serene scene is getting better... hmmm

Thank you all for your advice. I really appreciate you taking the time to help.

If you live in the U.S., then Staples, the office supply store, actually sells 2H/HB/2B leads of several diameters in the pen&pencil aisle. Beyond that, you'd need to go to an art supply store. Online ones like dickblick.com handle them.

I looked extensively for a 2B lead refill for my .5mm mechanical pencil, finally found some in an office supply store (Office Depot or Staples), like Ernest said.

As for the hatching, don't give up! It really does just take practice and patience, trying to lay down lines next to each other that are the same direction and pressure. Before these lessons, I only used a sort of blending technique to shade. But the hatching is very useful if you ever want to draw with pen. However, it's not the end of the world if you can't master it yet, give it time and try various other lessons. Eventually you'll come back and find that these lessons are much easier! Good luck, keep at it. --Mindy

Hun I never use hatching but many do and their art is beautiful .. I think its whatever feel good to you ...if you take a look in different galleries you will see what medium or technique they are most comfortable with .

For me starting out easy always helps .. tackling something like tulips may be a bit hard ..so stick to the simpler things until you are ready.

I posted my drawings in my gallery.

Ernest: Thanks for the tip, I was thinking about going to Staples and seeing if they had those, and the arts and crafts stores out here didn't have any mechanical pencils, but I will go today and grab some up at Staples.

Mindy: Thanks for the encouragement. I truly appreciate your help. I have moved on to some other lessons to try and keep me from banging my head against a wall. LOL The other lessons have come much easier, I'll just have to see what I can do with the mechanical pencils and stuff.

Kim: I have browsed a few galleries and I think I will try my hand at different techniques, I have only been at this for three weeks so I still have to get the hang of things.