Pen and Ink Cross Hatching Masters Edition

In the long-awaited sequel to Pen and Ink Crosshatching master illustrator Dan Nelson describes and demonstrates his refined cross-hatching technique.
Want personalized instruction? Click here: gumroad.com/l/DanTheArtMan

[@samwallaceart288]

It never occurred to me to draw a single direction of crosshatching for the entire image before changing directions ... but it makes a lot of sense now that you show it. Whenever I used to do crosshatching, I'd do it by zones or at random, and that got real inconsistent real fast. The method in the video is a by far more consistent ... 'can't wait to try it out.

[@AndresSalazararthub]

yeah, me niether!

[@SpinningSage]

SamWallace Art, didja try it out? :)

[@joshuanorris5860]

What he said

[@chibamoon6410]

yea did you try it out?

[@brandonfield3993]

Exactly what I was thinking. Time to draw~

[@Goffix2009]

As a Pen and Ink Artist, it's hard for me to comprehend how most collectors (and publishers), do not appreciate this medium at the same level as oil paintings. Both take considerable time and effort to achieve realism. Similar to Black and white photography compared to color.

[@hieunguyenminh8045]

Generally, people like color more than black and white. I think it takes more skill to paint an oil painting.

[@Goffix2009]

@@hieunguyenminh8045 Generally speaking (typing), I see your point. However black and white can also be dramatic. I mainly work with the stippling technique compared to cross hatch. Very time consuming.

[@DantheArtMan]

@@hieunguyenminh8045 So ... Have you seen my oil Paintings? (disagree with your assessment, but that's okay) I am primarily an oil painter.

[@DantheArtMan]

@@Goffix2009 kudos to you! Stippling is extremely time consuming!

[@Goffix2009]

@@DantheArtMan Thanks Dan.

[@metitfour131]

Cross hatching is one of those things I love as an artist. There's a strange satisfaction spending 4+ hours just making lines that can convey darkness, light, hope, tension, action, weight, depth, form, and a bunch of other things.

[@Nsta28]

I’ve come back to this video so many times over the years and I still learn something new every visit. Truly one of the most wholesome tutorials on here.

[@pTanino]

I am so grateful to you for demonstrating and explaining your technique. Absolutely fabulous ... I am in awe

[@runnynight]

this is somehow very satisfying .....

[@ReverseJuxtapose]

Oddly ! satisfying

[@ysraelrjflores8077]

IKR!

[@TheVanillatech]

Watching a job well done! And listening to someone humble in their (awesome) talent explain it in a way that anyone can understand. I'll drink to that!

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

especially with the music.

[@asstroeongdong-min1709]

ASMR is what I believe we're experiencing :D

[@powerpc127]

I've been reading Berserk, and I have a new appreciation for just how much work Miura put into that manga. Thanks for the demonstration, my friend.

[@DG_Toti]

Miura, Ito, and Araki all put so much detail into their work it’s obscene. Rip Kentaro Miura, one of the greats.

[@user-zk4uv5im5c]

​@@DG_Toti Миура самый великий👍🙏💯

[@landonletterman831]

I love how the brain does that, a concrete knowledge that it's just lines at different angles, but done right, and given a little distance, everything looks like it it textured like it's supposed to. Really stellar work

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

Slick line work. This is kind of trance-inducing to watch.

[@DantheArtMan]

PLEASE trance away! :-j

[@duccior89]

You are right, actually it's relaxing to do, this drawing are master piece, hope I could get to this perfection one dat. I tryied this technique in my video kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqLQlXWoeamCjM0

[@aspektx]

It's amazing how you can read about something over and over and not get it -- until that one moment when it all clicks. Thank you for that moment.

[@simonbaker9909]

It is great to have an artist explain and reveal his/her process in front of our eyes. Thank you so much. The brilliance of course is not mastering the technique of cross-hatching but rather the ability to visualize a scene as light and dark areas and knowing where to put them -- amazingly hard unless you have mastered that IMO.

[@Katerina-vm2ok]

I just came across your channel (even though this was done in the year 2013) and this was a marvelous piece of artwork...the crosshatching was absolutely fabulous to watch. I have been trying to improve my crosshatching and this was an absolute help. May I also say that the word “Trust” was conveyed perfectly with the drawing. Thank-you!

[@FREEDMFTR]

As an artist who revived my passion for drawing during these past couple years, I stumbled across your video, and for the first time in my artistic journey, I've never thought about trying crosshatching! I am so excited to learn and practice crosshatching! All thanks to you, @DanNelson - Thank you!

[@lisathuban8969]

I've taken a LOT of art classes and even know a few professional cartoonists, but none of them explained crosshatching as well as you just did. Thanks so much! Great video.

[@haralambimarkov6862]

The level of patience and focus to sit there and maintain this level of technique consistently... Just shivers all around, man.

[@crimsonscarlett9904]

Oh the fluidity and smoothness of your strokes, how utterly captivating they are! My how talented you've becomed. How much I admire your skills is simply unmeasurable. I simply cannot wait for your next art video. Best of luck my fellow. May life be great to you.

[@alexlawson6133]

this is one of my favorite techniques! i love to listen to music while i draw because it helps add rhythm to my work :)

[@umaimah6313]

i love cross hatching and this helped me so much. Thank you, i am very grateful. :) I've seen it so many times.

[@acuralee]

I love the vellum you use... it makes the piece have this elegance about it. Plus the thousands if not millions of wonderful straight cross hatches

[@davidgpeterson]

When I was a kid I use to love the art of David Trampier. He did a lot of cross hatching and it adds so much texture and depth. This video was amazing.

[@VerneditheSnail]

This was a very enjoyable viewing and learning experience. As the observer, I'm delighted to have watched this. Thank you for this upload.

[@dramawind]

I've watched this at least 5 times in the past and it's been in my recommended for the past month or maybe more.

[@ymatgal]

Absolutely Amazing. To see how much work, dedication and creativity goes into this style of drawing. I had no clue! Thank you so much for sharing :)

[@geradoruiz9698]

Not only his art is something behold but his time and patience is something I want to achieve some day.

[@MrBrunoRodak]

I almost exclusively use cross hatching in my illustrations, be it pen and ink or pencil, and watching a master do it is the best motivation/inspiration I could wish for..Thank you for this video :)

[@mmmawia]

Why is this in my recommended 7 years later? Not complaining doe

[@sei8932]

same bro

[@anthonywise9994]

Same

[@barryallenflash1]

What a beautiful picture! I never realized it took so long to do a picture like this, NOW it makes sense why they sell for so much, def worth it.

[@slick.skills]

Seeing this vid come back on to my feed once again is a delight. Dan, if you see this, this video I think really started my cross hatching journey. I don’t per say follow the rules of it all, but it’s been a journey I’ve loved and I’ll likely continue on for a years down the road. Been able to create an online audience from it and was able to quit my job because of it. You are heavy influence on what I do today and for that, I thank you. Thanks so much Dan.

[@DantheArtMan]

Hey, Slick! Thank you for that delightful story! That is very encouraging. All the best to you.

[@cthepower]

I had never seen anyone do crosshatching. Your method and explanation was delightfully explained and executed. Thank you so much.

[@julikb]

just logic

[@swirlandtwirl5417]

Remembered having text books and children's reading books when I was a kid with this style. So amazing! 💗💗💗

[@quinnmichaels]

thanks for such a great tutorial on cross hatching. i never realized that you go opposite angles and scribble before. thanks bro.

[@gabrielleraul488]

Incredibly beautiful! This one layer at a time is brilliant!

[@michellerobertson5235]

I wish you'd do some more cross hatching tutorials. You have such a fabulous skill in all media that I'd like to learn from Cross hatching is one I'm trying to learn and understand. You're work is beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing your videos!!

[@donmeles7711]

I love this technique! Though I've never seen such a simple and perfect tutorial! Thank you, great job!

[@muffinszss]

this is the amount of sheer skill and dedication that i can’t help but smile at :)

[@johnstanley6977]

I haven’t drawn since I was a kid. I got into playing guitar and that’s been my main interest. But watching your videos makes me remember doing crosshatching as a kid. No one taught me, I naturally did it. But you’ve shown me new ways to think about it. I’m inspired to draw again.

[@DantheArtMan]

Excellent! I play guitar also. Both can be done.

[@salvation7362]

From one artist to another, brilliant. I've always loved the clean lines of pen and ink much to the criticism of my teachers who would always say "add colour". The crispness and definition to me was always the goal. I see artwork in black and white, it's finished when you put the pen down. Had to add how much I enjoyed how close you get the camera to your work. I can almost smell the ink, so tactile to watch if that makes any sense. Subscribed to enjoy watching you work. I've long since fallen out of the love of drawing but you really do inspire. Love it.

[@notme191]

I can't stand the people who say add color! Sometimes I ruin drawings with color!

[@vinzcastro9304]

@@notme191 Do you experiment with the inking? it's best to make the inking as simple as possible and let the color add depth

[@gensischosen251]

Yea this is why I prefer manga over comics

[@user-mh6ju3pg8c]

@@vinzcastro9304 hmm.. Agree As for clothing..I would add clean thick lines And then add colour fire more details

[@rudyyu5279]

As someone who does crosshatching as a style in my art, I really appreciate your dexterity and pen control. I have two questions: 1) what do you do to correct mistakes in this unforgiving medium; and 2)What do you do to avoid accidentally touching or going over wet parts of your work? Great job!

[@DantheArtMan]

Hey, Rudy! How on earth did I miss your excellent questions? 1) Try NOT to make mistakes, of course. Take precautions. 2) if possible, work on a medium that can be scratched / etched and re-drawn. Some "vellums" can do this, and CS-10 illustration board, if you can find it. 3) Learn how to do magic with a super-fine brush and white gouache!

[@jameyhagerty3035]

@@DantheArtMan 2 years later. Better late than never I guess. Great work by the way.

[@Mario7p]

@@jameyhagerty3035 are you the comment police?

[@jameydog]

@@Mario7p Yep

[@brightnight8831]

@@Mario7p Dan Nelson how do you plead

[@tealbluewhite]

Wow I actually sat through and watched the entire video from start to finish. Great video. And great tips you provided

[@anyu]

Your precision and technique is amazing! It's relaxing and low effort to watch, yet I feel like I'm learning so much that I can use next time I draw.

[@DantheArtMan]

That encouraging! Glad to hear it. Keep on!!

[@bbBunnyvv2019]

so mesmerizing watching the details begin to slowly merge and fall into each other creating this beautiFUL PIECE OF ARTWORK fgdkggd

[@ebenyt7493]

Are you still alive?

[@MarieKyriney]

Thanks man! This really inspired me. I kinda messed up my first pen nibs I bought and thought I just can't draw with pen and ink. But I guess I will give it a go and buy a new set of nibs and try it again - this time i will search for clear instructions how to first use nibs :D

[@jonatassantos1726]

Hi, Dan. I am a brazilian man. I loved this video, i loved this work. Beautiful, beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@wcfs4everandever]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤🇧🇷

[@blacksunrise1349]

I've done 2 crosshatched pieces, it is an insane amount of time and work...this is amazing

[@ryusaranyawut7913]

This is so cool. I'm an artist myself, but I can't do cross hatching like you did. Like you say, it takes too long. But keep going man, you're doing great!

[@MaelZack]

thank you so much for helping on shading , this is my favorite tipe of shading because i struggle with arts on point there everyone around me drawing on photoshop or any over computer program while i just want draw on paper also wanting only draw black and white and and still able do things well. Thanks again so much.

[@Vic101able]

You have your own style, and you understand it, but not that many people take the time to do these many layers. Kudos.

[@WayaAskin]

Your artwork is beautiful, the subject matter awesome. Thank you for sharing this talent with me, as I got so much out of your tutorial. I've done penwork infrequently but enjoy it. I actually did a complete drawing in "scribble," not realizing it was a form of crosshatching. I liked the result. You encourage me to do more!

[@taylorkierpiec6879]

If i understood how to do this and invest my time more into this i hope to do this. This really calmed me down.

[@renedanielmendezlopez4473]

Any updates?

[@circumcizednun1814]

Update?

[@taylorkierpiec6879]

I haven’t drawn in a while but I didn’t know this many people cared

[@kleinmwalili5962]

Get serious bro

[@paulinemorare5509]

So elegant and complex. That's great work

[@ivanpergasi2]

that's the most professional and satisfying crosshatching video ever made...tnx for sharing with us

[@samuraireflection]

so helpful. you reminded me of how my dad and I talk about drawing art with the way you talk about cross hatching. nice video.

[@RedGallardo]

Godlike... Chaos that creates life. Absolutely amazing!

[@juanemonly3495]

KZbin again suggested this. I guess because of Inktober. Watched this 3 years ago and it still satisfy me. 😍

[@hellishdee]

This was so freaking awesome!!! 🤯🤯🤯 I love ink and I draw with it all the time... Watching this level of hatching is just beautiful! 🖤🖤🖤🖤 I learned something new today! Thank you 😊🖤✌🏻✌🏻

[@tiitpeeter]

What a great piece of art and a great explanation as well. This video really helps with achieving nice and clean looking cross hatching. Ever since seeing this video a few years ago, I've started to feel like there's nothing more satisfying than using pen and ink to make orderly sections of lines onto paper! Thanks for the great video !

[@DantheArtMan]

Thanks! That's fun to hear. Way to go!

[@dvaoh]

This was pretty awesome, your explanation wasn't confusing like some of the other artist's here on youtube.

[@TheSebaRapper]

omg! this is amazing brother! greetings from Chile and this is art in its pure state.

[@Catalina.r]

SBTG Chilenos uno se encuentra en todos lados... saludos desde Rancagua!

[@tiger_vii]

Amazing...I'm getting back into inking....and this is on another level.... This is epic

[@susanmitchell4744]

Brilliant! Such a lovely calm voice and clear explanation of a tricky technique.

[@loveelleee]

Whenever I want to look for a reference to draw, I'm fascinated to subjects that looks like I have a lot of lines I can draw into that. So, obviously, I'm fascinated to lines. And I badly want this artstyle. Hope to learn and master it someday. 💕

[@hannrkelley]

This video is amazing!! I don't think I've ever seen such a satisfying and pleasing tutorial haha. And your skill, incredible. I'm becoming slowly obsessed with old anatomy and botanical drawings, and though I'm not sure if they use this depth of cross hatching, their precise linework is just drool-worthy, thank you!

[@DantheArtMan]

I know what you mean about some anatomy drawings-- some classic cross-hatching.

[@hannrkelley]

+Dan Nelson Mmn, and the lithograph prints! Brilliant.

[@mahalie23]

Super demonstration, gorgeous illustration style - thank you so much for your detailed explanation :)

[@marekprazak]

mind blown.. love how you showed the layers--i just want to drop my work and try it!!

[@DantheArtMan]

Hey, gang-- I keep getting comments about my NAILS! :-) Quick explanation-- I am a fairly serious classical guitar player. The way to spot someone like me: Right hand LONG, Left hand SHORT. And if they play flamenco, the pinky will be VERY long. There ya go . . . a little bit of culture to add to your day!

[@jacksonkerr2095]

As a classical singer, I've seen some guitarists with extended fingernails who play classical music. Wonderful work with the art! Absolutely gorgeous.

[@DantheArtMan]

Thanks! (And thanks for the confirmation about the silly nail thing! :-)

[@jessacrow9407]

wow, this might've been the first time i see the OP post on a vid of theirs 3 years later

[@solar7927]

Hey Dan. Why don't you use a foutain pen? It'll give you the same thin lines if not thinner. And you won't have to keep dipping them. Please reply or message me if you have any questions about foutain pens

[@DantheArtMan]

@@solar7927 I use fountain pens quite a bit. See the watercolor sketch video I published just a couple days ago. Nothing gets finer than a crow quill pen.

[@moonblink]

Very inspiring. I remember doing these back in art school. Good times. I should make one now, even if it comes out badly.

[@janc6495]

+moonblink yes, do it! do it! do it! Practice makes perfect!

[@irenapietruszka4311]

Oh why did I ever stop drawing? I used to be not bad at all. I'm motivated to unearth my pens. Thank you. Such a useful, clear and modest presentation. Irena

[@elsagrace3893]

So beautiful, Dan. I am amazed at the work and result. I have learned about a process.

[@supernewuser]

Wow gorgeous line work.

[@MLGodinho]

KZbin HQ: We need to recomend something weird but satisfying this week random art student: Hold ma beer

[@DantheArtMan]

Lol. That's good. Thanks for making me laugh.

[@caleboop1814]

hold my coffee*

[@caleboop1814]

hold my art palette*

[@caleboop1814]

hold my canvas*

[@caleboop1814]

hold my paint brush*

[@XX-bo5pb]

This video wins the internet. The best video ever.

[@awayforthewin1325]

I love coming back to your videos when i need a reference.

[@user-hornyforadventure]

Thanks.. straight to point.. understood everything.. now it's time to practice

[@MasterofTongs]

Aside from being a very calming video, that was very interesting to see from start to finish. I absolutely strive for realism, so crosshatching doesn't come into play in most of my work (not that I have all that much). All the same, it is fascinating to see how the technique creates such a great illusion for it!

[@DantheArtMan]

Good observation, Steve. I have done a lot of realism over the years, too. I think the thing that is fun for me is to use a technique that DOESN'T easily lend itself to realism then try to brow-beat it into submission to create a quasi-realism.

[@dustinkeller29]

Beautifully done. Thank you for letting me watch.

[@funmeister]

Love this video! I've long been searching for an ideal way to do crosshatching and this hit the nail right in the head, particularly the sidenote about the direction/grain and the approaches therein.

[@DantheArtMan]

Cool! So glad to hear it!!

[@Zaire82]

Bruh I learned so much about cross hatching. "Scribble cross hatching" should also simply be "Scribble hatching", since it has no crossing.

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

OR it crosses ALL hatching lol

[@primrosec.2045]

So talented! Thank you. This tutorial will help me with my ink cross-hatching :)

[@DantheArtMan]

Yay! That's what I am hoping! Thanks for watching!

[@sanishdivakaran]

Beautiful work sir... The effort you take and the way you narrate deserve a big salute...

[@DamienNightmarish]

Amazing work. Too clean and perfect. Nice job!

[@Salgood]

Great tutorial Dan, I will be sharing it with my students! :)

[@DantheArtMan]

Salgood Sam YAY! LOVE passing things on to the next generation! Keep on! You're changing lives.

[@lucamoretti2967]

this makes me understand why Kentaro dropped the manga "berserk". Making a whole comic with this level of cross hatching is a pretty epic challange

[@Ehh97]

Thank you for posting! I am actually practicing with a lot of pen techniques right now (because of inktober) so this inspires me to give this a try!

[@acmulhern]

You’ve really mastered the technique. Beautiful result.

[@sabinaliosa]

i've learned more about crosshatching watching this 5-6 times then i've learned in 3 years from my teacher

[@eugenelombard2337]

you my good sir are a master , i feel inspired

[@lme4339]

So much patience! I am very impressed!

[@paecpc]

Beautifully done, love the end result of the picture. Thanks for sharing.

[@RiiZeNstudios]

if you look closely at the very end of the video you'll notice something written at the bottom of the cliff and it says "TRUST" that shit gave me goosebumps.

[@beeferoni786]

thats dumb

[@EhurtAfy]

It is cool, but I don't think it's that hidden.

[@Prajwal____]

@@EhurtAfy lol

[@theamnesiasquad3425]

@@beeferoni786 how is that dumb?

[@beeferoni786]

@@theamnesiasquad3425 getting goosebumps over some pseudo deep thing that rly doesnt mean anything and its not hidden at all

[@Eralen00]

typically artists don't have such a well-established verbal communication skills as their visual, (they usually show better than they can tell) but this guy does both equally well! Very relaxing and informative video

[@DantheArtMan]

That is very kind. Thank you!

[@Gee000]

i had great respect of those who draw with passion but now, that respect im giving u guys is much more bigger now.

[@toothpick9444]

This is the most helpful video I've found so far! Especially since it's the closest to my own style that i have found a tutorial for. Thank you. :D And I love the picture.

[@katsup6048]

The song name is Lamento by Gintautas Abarius

[@sennacookie5043]

I don't understand how you get such straight lines without a ruler

[@MistressKatari]

Lots of practice!

[@vincenthubschmann6512]

Quick and confident, it takes a bit of practice

[@Pedro-S1lva]

Probably he practices everyday

[@gozinta82]

I've done cross-hatching a large portion of my life and yeah, it's practice. Pencil and pen work, as you get more comfortable and loosen up, you'll be more consistent with your line work.

[@harleyjohndelacruz7174]

Bruh

[@TerrieJohnson731]

I am a beginner, but seem to have a very natural ability to go into the "zone" with ink. Thank you for this. As I practice more, I will love trying the vellum paper. Stunning work! This is my second time with this vid, watched it a few months ago. I love hatching and pointillism, experimental stage, so Zen!

[@DantheArtMan]

TerrieJ DimestoreDivaTV You go, Terri! Glad to be of some encouragement.

[@EstrelaYasmin]

AMAZING!!!! I am trying to learn cross hatching and this is helping so much!

[@silentimage5196]

I am in Awe of your skills and your generosity in taking the time to create this instructional video. I will be sure to subscribe to your channel. You have my sincere appreciations as this was the exact thing I needed to push my own work forward.

[@DantheArtMan]

Thank you, Robert! Thinking I might be able to help others makes the effort totally worthwhile.

[@azraelsgrave]

I've never done this and should try it. I typically only do 2 directions mixed with scribbles as he put it. And I usually work all parts in a section then progress across the image. Granted my crosshatching is no where near this level. So it's a process I'll try next time I get into it.

[@cipriano1984]

just great!!! I learned new things by watching this video. Thank you.

[@seebaastian]

thank you for sharing your knowledge about crosshatching. is a very complex topic for me!