Hatching and Cross-Hatching: How Artists Build Shadow with Lines

Before smooth shading, artists used lines to show light and shadow. Hatching and cross-hatching remain among the most recognisable sketch techniques.

Hatching

Hatching uses sets of parallel lines to build tone.

• Close lines make a darker area.
• Wider spacing makes a lighter area.
• The direction of the lines can follow the shape of the object, adding form.

Cross-hatching

Cross-hatching layers a second set of lines across the first, at an angle.

• One layer gives a light tone.
• Two layers make it darker.
• Three or more layers produce deep shadow.

Related techniques

Technique	Description
Contour hatching	lines curve to follow the surface of a form
Scribbling	loose, flowing marks for energetic texture
Stippling	dots of varying density create tone
Blending	smoothing marks with a finger or tool

Where you'll see hatching

• Pen-and-ink drawings and cartoons.
• Old engravings and etchings, such as those by Albrecht Dürer.
• Comics and graphic novels.
• Newspaper illustrations from before photographs were common.

Hatching in photo effects

Some sketch effects imitate this look, turning shaded areas of a photo into fields of fine lines, and keeping bright areas clean. They work best on images with clear light and dark areas.

How to recognise a good result

• Lines follow the forms rather than cutting across them randomly.
• Highlights stay clear.
• Dark areas have enough density to feel like shadow.
• The mark size suits the size of the image.

Choosing photos

Photos with strong side lighting and clear shadow shapes produce the most convincing hatched looks: a portrait lit from a window, a building on a sunny day.

Try it yourself

Draw a simple sphere. Add light hatching on the side away from the light, then a second layer of crossing lines near the darkest edge. You'll see how form emerges.

A note on style

Hatching gives a graphic, textured feel, often more dramatic than smooth pencil shading. Try different effects on the same photo to compare.

Try Color Photo Sketch →