Many great artists of the past can now be identified by their unique experiments with line. Van Gogh’s drawings were a feast of calligraphic lines; Seurat became synonymous with pointillism; and Giacometti was famous for his scribble. Can you find your identity in a pencil stroke?
Using Criss-Crossed Strokes This technique is commonly referred to as “crosshatching.” If you like a good deal of fine detail in your work, you’ll find that crosshatching allows you a lot of control. You can adjust the depth of your shading by changing the distance between your strokes.
Sketching Circular Scribbles If you work with round, loose strokes like these, you are probably very experimental with your art. These looping lines suggest a freeform style that is more concerned with evoking a mood than with capturing precise details.
Drawing Small Dots This technique is called “stippling”—many small dots are used to create a larger picture. Make the points different sizes to create various depths and shading effects. Stippling takes a great deal of precision and practice.
Simulating Brush-strokes You can create the illusion of brushstrokes by using short, sweeping lines. This captures the feeling of painting but allows you the same control you would get from crosshatching. These strokes are ideal for a more stylistic approach.