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Lesson kit

Lesson 6 · Level 4

Hatching

Learn how repeated lines create shading.

Recommended wood

Birch

Smooth surface keeps repeated lines from skipping.

Recommended tip

Fine point

Thin, repeatable lines are the whole technique. In the studio: Fine Tip.

Heat level

Scorch

Steady medium heat for uniform lines.

Technique

Spacing controls tone

Closer lines read darker. Keep the lines themselves consistent and let spacing do the shading.

Cross-hatching

Adding a second and third direction of lines deepens value quickly while keeping a hand-drawn look.

Follow the form

Curve your hatch lines around a shape and it will look rounded.

Demonstration

Hatch blocks that read as clearly different tones, with lines of even weight and consistent angle.

Practice board guide for lesson 6: Hatching

Digital practice exercise

  1. 1.Hatch horizontally, vertically and diagonally.
  2. 2.Compare closely spaced against widely spaced hatching.
  3. 3.Cross-hatch in one, then two, then three directions.

The practice board loads as a reference overlay on the wood canvas — set the wood, tip and heat above, then burn over the faint guides.

Beginner challenge

Burn a small leaf shaded entirely with hatching and cross-hatching — darkest near the central vein.