Crosshatching

Improve your ink drawing with cleaner values and stronger depth in this concise demo. Artist Stuart Loughridge teaches crosshatching through a simple value scale exercise designed to sharpen observation and build better pen control.

Using a Lamy extra-fine fountain pen with light pencil guidelines, Stuart demonstrates how to develop values gradually. He begins with light hatching, then layers darker tones by shifting the angle of each pass. You’ll learn how changes in line direction create smooth gradations and distinct separations between highlights, mid-tones, and shadows.

This accessible lesson is ideal for artists practicing pen work for figure drawing, landscapes, or sketchbook studies. Stuart’s calm instruction and clear step-by-step approach make the process easy to follow, even for beginners.

Because the exercise is short and focused, it’s something you can practice almost anywhere. By the end, you’ll know how to layer ink lines with intention, avoid overworking an area, and create a confident value structure. Whether you use pen, ink wash, or want to strengthen skills for painting, this is a practical foundation worth returning to.

Pick up a pen and draw along, you may be surprised by how much depth a few well-placed lines can create.