How To Draw With Your Fountain Pen: The Cross Contour Hatching Technique

[@janetc3707]

These are some of the best art demos and tutorials on youtube! Thank you.

[@mkompan]

That’s very nice to hear, Janet. You’re welcome!

[@valentinofindrik933]

The best hatching intro on KZbin. Thank you!

[@mkompan]

My pleasure! So nice of you to say that.

[@zachbirch1545]

This is the best explanation of this technique that i have found! I have been teaching myself engraving the last few months at undergrad. Beyond my lack of skill with the burin I’ve found my hatching to be lacking and the steepness of lines based on angle of the plane is a revelation. My only sadness was that my favorite engraver, Goltzius, wasn’t mentioned. His style could border on ridiculous, but I’ve never seen more beautiful lines. Thanks for all the work

[@mkompan]

@@zachbirch1545 you’re very welcome! Goltzius is wonderful, but engraving is a very different art form from pen and ink, allowing for much finer lines, and all kinds of technical tricks. There are a number of artists that have successfully incorporated engraving style line work into their drawings however. Have you seen Tri Le’s channel? He has instructional content which might be helpful.

[@zachbirch1545]

@@mkompan thank you for the tip I’ll check his work out! As i develop my style I’m curious how my pen and ink work will differ from my engraving prints as i take advantage of each tool.

[@johnmitchelljr]

Thank you, very well done. Nothing better in life than a very good teacher.

[@mkompan]

You're welcome, and thank you for the kind words!

[@色勒]

This is really one of the best pen and ink tutorial on KZbin! Introducing different masters and their techniques , explaining the hatching theory with real life objects , drawing while explaining the thought behind it . I just love everything about this! Thank you for making this wonderful tutorial! (And sorry for my poor English)

[@mkompan]

Thank you for the very kind words. I'm glad you found this tutorial, and that you find it so useful.

[@Asterix34518]

An excellent and very helpful demonstration of a difficult yet most essential technique. Thank you sir for taking the trouble and effort to explain it so well.

[@mkompan]

You're welcome! It's very gratifying to know that people are watching my instruction and finding it useful.

[@nanadeez910]

This truly is the help I've been looking for a long time, just the kind of hatching I like!

[@mkompan]

I’m glad that you found my video!

[@pentachronic]

Thank you so much for this video. My marks were all over the place and everything I have done so far has been scrappy looking. Now I know why!! I definitely need to study the masters and see how they made their marks. So helpful.

[@mkompan]

My pleasure! I’m glad you found my channel and are finding it helpful.

[@Cathrine1Dsmile]

This is the best video on hatching I have seen! Love the way you share the history an comment on the master's ways of hatching, and then relate to techniques to use. Puts hatching into a much better perspective.

[@mkompan]

Thank you Cathrine! There are a number of very good tutorials by Alphonso Dunn that you should check out, if you haven’t already.

[@cliffberry1900]

WOW! This comprehensive and first rate video blows away pretty much every hatching video I've seen. Excellent work.

[@mkompan]

Thanks! That’s very high praise.

[@WarillaGorefare]

Finally, a good hatching video. Thank you!

[@mkompan]

My pleasure!

[@augustkendall]

I've watched a lot of hatching tutorials and this is by far the best. So helpful to move beyond the mechanics to the thinking/decision-making.

[@mkompan]

Thanks Brian! Your very kind words are appreciated.

[@michelrene]

Marc thank you for your video and channel. I really appreciate it. I am passionate about pen and ink and am learning the technique with your help. Also, your passion and research is very inspiring!

[@mkompan]

You’re very welcome! It’s very inspiring to see my little channel gradually build and audience of like minded people.

[@UJB123]

Nice tutorial. Very good content. Line hatching is thousands of years old … looooong before Medieval times. It’s still on some cave walls and we can only guess what ancient knowledge was lost in the destruction of Alexandria by the Lombards. Glad to see hatching being explained so well and its importance in shadow and light. Thanks !

[@mkompan]

You’re very welcome! Where have you seen examples of hatching in caves? There’s some hatching in the encaustic portraits of Fayoum, which are 2000 years old, but the hatching in that work is more a color blending technique, rather than true hatching. If you know of true hatching that predates the high Middle Ages, please direct me to it.

[@MTERRELF]

I could pay for such videos. It's real course. So interesting to see hows civilisation progress. The Italian-German core then spreading in Europe then and using KZbin to conquier the globe. A motivating video. 😊

[@mkompan]

Thank you! Given that these techniques are now mostly in disuse, I would call the reconquista. :)

[@chopsticks51]

Thank you once again for all your videos. Really appreciate how well you choose a specific aspect of sketching or product and then cover it thoroughly. I never thought I’d be doing human figures but I now live in a place that has a lot of public art and statuary, so I am hoping to sketch that. Your videos are just perfect.

[@mkompan]

You’re very welcome! It makes me happy to hear that you’re finding my videos useful.

[@daveyespo]

Thank you Professor for these wonderful, excellently researched videos

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome!

[@JoeJoe-pf3ej]

Thank you for your knowledge and your videos. I enjoy your channel very much. You cover all my favorite topics, art, old masters and FOUNTAIN PENS!

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome! It’s very nice to see like minded people appreciating my videos.

[@7Katherine1]

A wonderful video, I’ve watched it several times and still learn a lot each time.

[@mkompan]

Thank you Katherine! While I enjoy doing pen reviews, my ultimate goal is to make videos that stand the test of time, which can be viewed and appreciated more than once.

[@_casg]

I was just at a museum in Chicago and saw a cross hatching drawing With such intricate detail, I was at awe With how the artist drew each line with its contours, They way you can read the difference between material and skin, it was insane, I didn’t even have the decency to find out who it was, I have to come back again

[@mkompan]

I actually studied at the Art Institute of Chicago for a year (I assume that’s the museum you’re referring to). I visited their drawing room often, and it played a part in my life-long obsession with old master drawings.

[@_casg]

@@mkompan oh sweet, they didn’t allow me to take pictures, but are we allowed to sketch inside ? Everything I saw in there was so inspiring, Tbh it was my first art Mesuem with actual paintings and drawings from famous artists, I used to live in Miami, and the art there kinda okay, but the experience at that Art Institute was just so much, It sucks I came in late because they close around 5 or something. I just moved to Chicago, such a large city. First time seeing snow too

[@mkompan]

@@_casg it’s been 30 years since I was last there, so I don’t remember their policy on sketching. Get some good books to copy from. I still copy, and will be doing some videos on it soon.

[@_casg]

@@mkompan you got any recommendations 🤔? Been wondering what to get for Christmas And I just moved And I left all my architecture books in Maimi. But I barely had any art based books Other than history of art books which ain’t the same. I wanna get endless pages of professional art and drawings I just don’t know what they are called

[@youareabsolutelyright7345]

Would those masters also have sketched with a pencil beforehand and marked the value/shadowy points? The examples you’ve shown look so out of this world!

[@mkompan]

Old master pen and ink drawings frequently have evidence of sketching in dry media like black chalk, but how much was indicated in these underdrawings, we don’t know (it probably varied greatly from artist to artist.)

[@anjapinkau3737]

Eye-opening! Thank you very much for this very instructive video!

[@mkompan]

My pleasure! I’m glad you liked it.

[@Lili-qy1ls]

I just discovered your channel and I am absolutely blown away by your drawings. Thank you so much for sharing! Do you offer online courses for more in depth lessons? I'd totally be interested in that!

[@mkompan]

Thank you! I was considering offering some online courses, perhaps towards the end of spring when my teaching responsibilities lighten. Stay tuned!

[@maaikev.7215]

absolutely excellent tutorial

[@mkompan]

Thank you!

[@tylerthomas8331]

Great video! My one contention would be that when you're describing "spiderweb hatching", what I'm looking at is the hand and if that area/the fingers are what you're referring to, I feel like it makes perfect sense, in describing the texture of the skin on a minute level with just a few lines.

[@mkompan]

Thanks! I see your point that Durer may have employed spider hatching to indicate the texture of wrinkled skin, but to me it feels exaggerated, used more as a stylistic flourish. Durer is the god of hatching, however, and can do no wrong.

[@RikardLindby]

Brilliant! I love drawing with a fountain pen. This is so useful. Thanks and hope to see more :)

[@mkompan]

Thank you Rikard!

[@katsmith8263]

Thank you for this teaching!!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome!

[@irmabecx4758]

That's very helpful. Been shying away from the fountain pen since I started figure drawing.

[@mkompan]

Thank you Irma!

[@mindfulnessjewelshk8667]

Thanks for this educational video!

[@mkompan]

My pleasure!

[@jordanyukio]

This is such a great breakdown ! I appreciate it

[@mkompan]

Thanks Jordan!

[@grettys14]

Excellent explanation and great examples. Thank you for sharing all this knowledge

[@mkompan]

Thank you! Happy to share with all of you.

[@fornous]

Incredible intro, thanks for the systematic insight into the problem of cross-hatching.

[@mkompan]

You're welcome!

[@serajozsef]

You are amazing I would love to learn the hatching techniques to apply to my drawing, however it is very difficult to learn it from videos Do you have any suggestions where can I get lessons hands on or in classes? I live in Texas Thx

[@mkompan]

Thank you! I’m sorry, I don’t know where you can find classes in this stuff in Texas. There are a lot of good teachers out there, hiding in plain sight in the art departments of community colleges. With a little research, you might be able to take a great class, often inexpensively.

[@Mr_Matrix]

This is awesome! Thanks Mark! ❤️

[@mkompan]

Thank you!

[@hlaefdige17]

Sehr lehrreiches Video - besonders Tip 2, die Idee der diagonalen Linien - man könnte die Linien auch projezieren, wunderbar analytisch. Auch für die Malerei, das 3D-Verständnis wichtige Grundlagen. Ich werde üben! Danke sehr!

[@mkompan]

Sehr gerne! Es ist schön zu wissen, dass meine Videos auf der ganzen Welt angesehen und geschätzt werden.

[@marianarossi3476]

Thank you so much for this video!!

[@mkompan]

My pleasure!

[@larryglatt2548]

Thank you again. You are a great teacher. 😇😁👌👌👌

[@mkompan]

Thank you!

[@frankj.2426]

Beautiful hands.

[@mkompan]

Haha, thanks.

[@GreenlifeFin]

Wos, you are so good, not only at drawing but at teaching. Thank you, will try this.

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome! Let me know how your efforts turn out, and what other instruction you’d like to see on this channel.

[@fbpliegorrivero8869]

Brilliant!!! 👍 👍 👍 Thanks for the tutorial.

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome!

[@ninfarose]

❤Very beautiful and useful ❤ Thank you so much 🎉🎉

[@mkompan]

My pleasure!

[@MrGAPmagic]

Great demonstration! May I ask when you draw the figure what planes are facing up and bottom and require shallow lines?

[@mkompan]

Thank you! Which planes face up or down depends on the pose and it’s a question of looking closely at the forms you’re drawing and thinking about which way they’re facing

[@mdz0739]

Thank you so much for this helpful video. You explained the subject so well. I am struggling with this technique and this is a big help.

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome, Michael!

[@judithmoore8692]

🎨 wonderful tutorials! Maybe you have answered this before, but what is best paper to use with pen and ink? Is Bristol too smooth? Does watercolor bleed out? Thanks for your help, and what brands do you use? From Bethlehem PA.

[@mkompan]

Thank you Judith! Any decent drawing paper will work well for pen and ink. For example I often use a drawing sketchbook made by Strathmore. For longer, more finished work the 300 series mixed media paper made by Strathmore is very good. Lately I'm really liking the Art Creations multimedia sketchbook made by Talens.

[@AMF83]

You are an awesome teacher

[@mkompan]

Thank you!

[@LeviRedrook]

When you're doing hatching work do you usually use a stiffer nib, or are you comfortable hatching with a flex nib?

[@mkompan]

I cross hatch with all my pens, even the most flexible ones.

[@beserkerant]

what type of ink/color did you use in that green drawing? its beautiful, great vid btw.

[@mkompan]

Thank you! I was using Noodler's green.

[@khrisabuid4315]

Marc, I am having trouble following the angle hatching re top and bottom planes. namely where you show the box all with 45 deg tape. Do you have another vid explaining it clearer please?

[@mkompan]

Hi Khris. I think the best way to understand it is to try it yourself. Take a box and place strips of tape (or draw lines with a marker) from one corner to another, giving you 45 degree angles. Then hold the box so that one of the sides faces you. When you tilt the box down slightly so that you can see the top plane, you that angle of that line will appear flatter than 45 degrees. When you rotate the cube to the left or right, so that you can see the side planes, the angles there will appear steeper than 45 degrees. Because of the effect receding planes have on the angles, steeper angles of hatch on side facing planes and flatter angles of hatch on top and bottom facing planes do a better job of conveying depth.

[@khrisabuid4315]

@@mkompan Thanks Marc....appreciated

[@LisaRSArt]

Thank you for this. ❤😊👏

[@mkompan]

My pleasure!

[@ichirofakename]

Very thorough, thanks. I would benefit from more on cast shadows.

[@mkompan]

Thanks. This is a big subject and it's hard cover it in depth.

[@DYINGKESTREL]

Amazing tutorial, thank you so much

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome!

Thank U! Great video new sub!

[@mkompan]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@smilleur]

Holy shit this was a dense vid. I had to stop and back up to catch things some times this rules outstanding video

[@smilleur]

Also im not complaining or saying you should change. I think the informative (and very rich) presentation is what makes this video very special. There are a lot of lessons on youtube, but I like ones like these that teach from start to finish.

[@mkompan]

Thanks man. I like tutorials that are fast, dense and to the point, so that’s how I try to make mine.

[@Shamufrootyboots]

This was really helpful, thanks!

[@mkompan]

You're welcome!

[@frankj.2426]

Great instructional video

[@mkompan]

Thank you!

[@frankj.2426]

@@mkompan nib drawing is my passion and I actually love using the “flattening” line patterns to create tone because it has such a different feel from cross contour as you demonstrate it here… even so, you do a great job of breaking down hatching to maximize the illusion of volume.

[@davidallsebrook8523]

Excellent tutorials, really helpful and inspiring. One question, if I may, about the part at 8:50 where you say "some instructors will suggest making hatching closer together when forms are far away and more spaced when nearer" and say this is a sound principle. Isn't it backwards in that it violates the rule of atmospheric perspective, namely putting less contrast and detail in the distant objects? Thanks again for the great work.

[@mkompan]

Thanks for the kind words David! It may seem that the more lines you put down, the more texture it creates, but that's not the case since fine hatching "fuses" into value. Closely spaced hatching is therefore softer in texture than hatching that is more widely spaced. You can test this principle for yourself by drawing a square patch of hatching that is closely spaced next a square of hatching that is more widely spaced. The finely hatched square will look farther away.

[@toxmot]

Is there any books you can recommend? I loved this video.

[@mkompan]

Thanks! I’ll be making a video with book recommendations soon.

[@toxmot]

@@mkompan awesome! I'm binge watching your videos 💕

[@akitoakito8790]

THANK YOU ❤❤❤❤

[@mkompan]

My pleasure!

[@ybe7011]

Looked at a few places for that pen and realized it's vintage. Any other suggestions for something that makes fine lines like that? All I have are Lamy's in different nibs, but none so fine as yours.

[@mkompan]

Most Japanese pens have finer XF and F nibs than Western brands. For a really fine line and a touch of flex, get a Pilot 74 soft-fine.

[@wyk3982]

If you are on a budget, Pilot Kakuno or Pilot Penmanship EF produces the thinnest lines for currently available steel nib fountain pens. Some people who dislike the Kakuno or Penmanship pen body, put the EF nib on other Pilot pens like Metropolitan, Explorer or Prera.

[@brokenblackbird]

What paper and ink do you use for the sketches? I would guess maybe Rhodia paper or possibly Fabriano paper. I am ambivalent of Platinum Carbon Black ink.

[@mkompan]

I use a variety of papers and inks in my work. For sketchingI like Talens Art Creations. For longer work, Arches hot press watercolor paper. For inks done if my favorites are Carbon Black, Noodler’s grey, DeAtramentis Document brown.

[@michiel8888]

Nice clip, thank you. At around 4:10 (“durer/dexter”) you show a picture with three colours; grey, white and black. How was the white part done? Besides black ink aso white ink over grey background?

[@mkompan]

I believe that drawing was actually done with a very thin brush, but yes, black ink and white ink (most likely lead carbonate) on grey paper.

[@michiel8888]

@@mkompan Thank you.

[@Y0usmelled]

Do you know the art style of type of hatching used in the olden days? take for example the drawing for Black beard by benjamin Cole for example. That has always intrigued me but i cant seem to find anywhere to learn it

[@mkompan]

There were quite a few styles used in the “olden days,” including the one I demonstrate here. I have another video which shows three additional historical ways of working: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3TUeJZqd6ZjmKs

[@Y0usmelled]

@@mkompan i will check them out immediately 😍

[@michaeldrew3292]

You're a Michelangelo in my book.

[@mkompan]

You’re very kind!

[@christophedevos3760]

Wasn't the hatching technique also a result of drawing with silverpoint? I believe Dürer and other great artists were initially using silverpoint instead of carbon pencil?

[@mkompan]

This would be interesting to research! Both intaglio printing and silverpoint originated in the workshops of metalsmiths (Durer's father was a goldsmith), so the they must have influenced each other greatly. I venture to guess that printmaking played the larger part in the propagation of hatching technique, however, since silverpoint was used for preparatory work, whereas prints where widely distributed and collected.

[@christophedevos3760]

@@mkompan interesting. I also think that the flemish 'primitives' school, the brothers Van Eyck for instance, already used silverpoint, but I have to check this, and indeed for prepatory sketches, so it doesn't contradict what you're saying.

[@atelierthhun1165]

Fascinating if a bit daunting, but a good opportunity to try out my nice new Swan Art Pens maru demonstrator and R&K greenish brown. What practice paper would you recommend that will stand up to lots of layers of hatching please?

[@mkompan]

It's not an easy technique. I recommend starting with the parallel hatching technique first--I have a detailed tutorial on it. As for paper, any smooth multimedia paper will do. One of my favorite sketchbooks is the Talens Art Creation. However, I often also use Canson sketchbooks with regular drawing paper.

[@atelierthhun1165]

Thanks for the helpful advice. Lots of practice starts tomorrow.

[@odysseychl4925]

The way u talk reminds me of Christian Bale in American Psycho, great video btw!

[@mkompan]

Ha, I’m not sure what to make of that. I guess I’m trying to enunciate, which makes me sound like I’m obsessing over business cards. :)

[@wesleyyoung4063]

What notebooks are you using?

[@mkompan]

The demos were done in a sketchbook made by Canson with regular medium tooth drawing paper. My favorite for ink work lately has been the Talens Art Creations multimedia sketchbooks.

[@vilhelmlarsen9565]

instant sub

[@mkompan]

I appreciate it!

[@ebanfield]

The old-master drawings presented here suggest that crosshatching was kind of prototype or model for printmakers. Their task was to translate one craft to another: a challenge to graphics that persisted through the centuries, and exists today.

[@mkompan]

Cross hatching certainly developed out of the practical need to create preparatory drawings for prints, but developed into a widespread practice not limited to printmaking, perhaps because artists found it to be an efficient, effective, and beautiful way to draw.

[@wimmiwimmer7120]

10:46 what do you mean by "full disclosure"? (the rule you violate quite often)

[@mkompan]

"Full disclosure" means I'm about to reveal something that is embarrassing. I'm using it in a humorous way because it usually refers to government secrets. I frequently violate the rule of not putting down more than six layers of hatch.

[@inksight]

💚

[@mkompan]

👍

[@jomeson4081]

I think I’m color blind because your your sepia ink looked black to me, anyway great video

[@mkompan]

The color accuracy of my camera is not the best, But sepia can range from light yellowish brown to dark greyish brown. This one is the latter.

[@jomeson4081]

@@mkompan I want that ink, normally Lexington is my favorite for cross hatching, what ink was used for the blue person with red or purple hair at the beginning?

[@peterpuleo2904]

Albrecht Durer is the highest of hurdles in Western art. I am a little past stick figures.

[@mkompan]

Very true! We're all drawing stick figures compared with him.

[@is_this_the_real_life_or]

😅❤

[@mkompan]

Thanks!

[@antoniocarlosrodriguescamp1497]

Once you learn to draw you can use any material ; you master the technique with the course of time, by yourself. The point is learning to draw, anyway.

[@mkompan]

I think everyone here will agree that drawing is the foundation of everything. But each medium has its own unique characteristics that are best learned from someone with expertise. Otherwise we would not have classes in different mediums (watercolor, oil, etc.)

[@milicakaljevic9230]

This is the only correct shading technique. Today, many artists use their fingers to smooth the border of shapes. Such a way is not appreciated in the world of art.

[@mkompan]

It is a very good way to shade, for pencil or pen, but to say it’s the only correct way to shade is an exaggeration. I’m from Eastern Europe and there’s a tendency there for instructors to be absolutist, to insist that there is one way to hold a pencil, etc. Such instruction not only does not appeal to the Western audiences, it’s unnecessarily strict, forcing students into a single uniform style.

[@koskivaarak]

We non native English speakers would appreciate if you spoke just a little slower. ;)

[@mkompan]

I’m trying. :)

[@Ryan-wt7zy]

Great information here. You kind of speak too fast for me to follow I keep having to go back and listen again. Maybe it's just me. Good stuff otherwise.

[@mkompan]

Thank you, Ryan. It’s not just you, and I’ve been trying to slow down. What can I say, it’s hard to fight my natural speaking pace.

[@hannahsansburn9362]

You can slow down the video by adjusting the speed up in the top right hand corner of the video. Just a little fyi. Otherwise. I love the fast talking, especially since you pack so much valuable information into the videos, if you didn't speak fast then I'd probably lose interest or fall asleep. The quick speak makes me listen even closer so I don't miss anything therefore make me more engaged. Thank you so much for all of your amazing information that most have to pay for and even still don't get even half as good teachings. Thank you thank you thank you ❤

[@bleachedout805]

The examples portion would have been better without the history lesson as I don't find art history interesting. I just wanted to know how to best use this medium.

[@mkompan]

Art history is an important part of artistic training. You cannot not be a good artist without studying it in depth.

[@dpelpal]

If reddit existed in 1400: _That playing card guy looks soooooo fake._

[@mkompan]

Good thing Reddit didn’t exist. He would have been discouraged, and hatching wouldn’t have developed. :)

[@alma-wi]

oh my! he talks like a machinegun! WHY? To cram as much content into as little time?? Sorry but I'm unable to take it all in - to understand AND digest what he's said, all at the same time, it's just too much for most people who're non-native-(american-)English-speakers. The visual demo is VERY good, but i'm too swamped and irritated by the talking voice. (He speaks so fast he even swallows half the syllables! like i.e. ALBRctdrrrr = Albrecht Dürer, and so on ...)

[@mkompan]

I'm sorry that you're having trouble keeping up, but your comment is unnecessarily acerbic and rude, considering that this is a free video. I do speak quickly, but that's my natural pace and given the relative popularity of this video and overwhelmingly positive feedback I've received, I believe the majority of people (native and non-native) have no problem understanding me. If you feel my instruction is valuable and are frustrated, I recommend watching at a slower rate or turning on the CC.

[@wimmiwimmer7120]

IMPOSSIBLE to follow.

[@mkompan]

Again, sorry that you're having problems following, and that you're frustrated but why the lack of civility? This is not the way to talk to people in real life or online.