Monday, March 10, 2008

Crosshatching, anyone?


This started out as a simple line drawing, nice and clean, and I was going to leave it that way, for once. Then I thought I should just add some hatching to show that the wood inside this secretaire is darker than the outside, so I did that. Then the drawing looked kind of empty, like it was missing something. So I added some shadows in the deepest parts behind the computer, and then I was doomed. I had to go on hatching and crosshatching until I felt I had caught the most essential shadows and hightlights of this little workspace.

I love drawings with crosshatching, I like to be able to see how the tones and shadows were done, but I HATE doing it. It gets on my nerves.

15,5 x 15,5 cm, Lamy Safari with Noodler´s black ink, on Arches satiné watercolour paper in sketchbook.

18 comments:

Laura Frankstone said...

It's breathtaking. Amazing what a little crosshatching and a lot of talent can do with the simple image of a desk.

blog queen said...

Even though you hate it you are great at it. I love this drawing.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I SO understand what you mean, Nina--I love to see them and hate to DO them. But that said...I'm SO glad you did, it's wonderful...

Best--
Kate (Cathy Johnson, who is disgusted Blogger has forgotten me again!)

Yellow said...

I have a fantastic book called The Pen & INk Book by Jos A Smith. He has fantastic ways of cross-hatching, using incredible scribbles and shapes without distracting from the image you're describing. He has changed my mind about cross hatching, as it were. Check it out if you get the chance.

Anonymous said...

What fantastic cross hatching Nina!And yes, I love seeing other people doing them(and well like you)!
Ronell

caseytoussaint said...

What wonderful work you do - even if it wasn't fun to do, it's great to look at. I would nver have the patience to do this kind of intricate detail - glad you do!

Dana S. Whitney said...

Repetitions (cross hatching, patterning, etc) definitely are a barometer of my calmness/anxiety quotient. I am happiest when I have the patience to do what the subject requires... which is probably less than 50% of the time.

Jenny said...

Love your drawing! Crosshatching is a wonderful addiction. *lol*

vivien said...

you may hate doing it but the result is lovely :)

Jennifer Lawson said...

What an amazing line drawing. I would never have the patience to do all that crosshatching, but wish I did because your results are beautiful.

José Louro said...

Thats why i leave my drawings, most of them, with just contour.
I find hatching a pain in the ass...

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Ha ha! I know that feeling, almost every one of my drawings starts out as a nice clean line drawing. Luckily, I LOVE hatching and I LOVE this drawing. Stunning, Nina.

Pedro said...

It's wonderful. It was worth the work!

Unknown said...

Wow you are great at cross hatching! Great looking work here

Anonymous said...

Isn't it amazing how a drawing just seems to have a mind of its own? Even though you hate crosshatching, I'm glad this drawing told you that is what it wanted- the result is superb.

mrana said...

heh heh, but it turned out beautifully!

elly said...

I love your drawings, very thoughtful and delicate.

Buy Wow Gold said...

WOW Gold, World of Warcraft Gold - Buy WOW gold at our shop, fast delivery of WoW gold and unbeatable prices make us so popular within the World of Warcraft community!