How to Produce the Value Scale in Various Strokes Using Pen & Ink

Different techniques allow multiple shades in a pen and ink drawing.

Pen and ink illustration is a classic art form. The style has been used in architectural sketches, Wall Street Journal portraits and U.S. paper currency. Several techniques allow the artist to establish the look and feel of the picture. According to the Drawing: How to Draw website, these techniques are hatching, cross-hatching, contour-hatching, scumbling and stippling. Each of these techniques can vary in value to create areas of light and shadow in the picture.

Instructions

Hatching

1. Draw thick lines close together for dark areas to make hatches. This is one of the more commonly used techniques in pen and ink drawing.

2. Gradually lighten the pressure of the pen on the paper and space the lines farther apart to create a medium value.

3. Continue to lighten the pressure and increase the spacing between lines until it appears that the lines fade naturally to white.

Cross-Hatching

1. Draw a set of hatches that are thick and close on one end then lighten and lie farther apart on the other end.

2. Draw another set of hatches perpendicular over the first set. These should be thick and close on one end and gradually lighten and grow farther apart.

3. Vary the look of cross-hatching by varying the value of each line you draw -- it might start out thick and dark, but as you continue the line, lighten the pressure so that it ends thin and light.

Contour-Hatching

1. Start by drawing a series of parallel lines that follow the curve of the object. As with hatching, these will be close and dark in areas of shadow and lighter and farther apart in lighter areas. Contour-hatching follows the curves of the object you're drawing, creating a more organic look than hatching or cross-hatching.

2. Draw a series of lines over the first set, following the curves of the area you're drawing. Make the lines heavier and closer together in areas of shadow and lighter and farther apart where the light would hit.

3. Vary the values within the lines to achieve the desired value scale.

Scumbling

1. Draw a series of short, curved scribbles, varying the direction of the curves. This is scumbling, a freehand technique that makes a very organic look that is good for foliage and other natural elements.

2. Make your scribbles thick and close together for dark areas.

3. Draw lighter scribbles farther apart for medium values.

4. Draw light scribbles far apart for light areas.

Stippling

1. Draw thick dots close together for dark areas. This is stippling, a series of dots that create a different texture from lines.

2. Decrease the size of the dots and increase the spacing for medium tones.

3. Make the dots small and far apart for light areas.

References

• Drawing: How to Draw: Hatching and Cross Hatching Shading Techniques : How to Shade Drawings With the Following Lessons and Tutorials