<p>You can use the sharp edge of your charcoal for finer line work: on a break in the piece or along the edge of the flat area created during shading, or sanded down for this purpose. Renew the edge you are using often to keep it sharp. A rectangular style charcoal may work better for this.</p>
<p>Of course, any stylus based tool can be used to make hatch marks, so yes to using a pencil. Go with a soft one (B4 for example) so it matches the charcoal's tone.</p>
<p>Or you could go with a harder charcoal. One that may not be good for shading because it is too hard would do well for thin line work as long as it doesn't tear the paper.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-03T20:39:09.963Z
Harder charcoal, how do I get that..?
Rye bread
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-03T20:43:33.047Z
Where are you getting your charcoal? Artist's charcoal, including vine, comes in different hardnesses. If you are making your own, or using cooking charcoal, you could try different wood types I suppose. The latter will unlikely ever be good for drawing though.
rebusB
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-05T07:28:37.563Z
In addition: charcoal comes in different sizes. Pick very thin ones. Not only will the lines they produce be naturally thinner, they will also force you to draw very lightly, as otherwise they might break. This is key to hatching properly.
Joachim
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-03T20:18:35.753Z
2020-11-03T20:18:35.753Z
rebusB
<p>I want to add hatching to my charcoal drawings. But vine or charcoal pencils are very soft so the hatching lines become way too thick.</p>
<p>What do artists use to create beautiful charcoal hatching?</p>
<p>Is it possible to do the hatching with pencil?</p>

<drawing><charcoal>
Charcoal hatching
Rye bread
# Charcoal hatching

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-11-02)

I want to add hatching to my charcoal drawings. But vine or charcoal pencils are very soft so the hatching lines become way too thick.

What do artists use to create beautiful charcoal hatching?

Is it possible to do the hatching with pencil?

**Tags:** drawing, charcoal


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-11-03. Score: 5

You can use the sharp edge of your charcoal for finer line work: on a break in the piece or along the edge of the flat area created during shading, or sanded down for this purpose. Renew the edge you are using often to keep it sharp. A rectangular style charcoal may work better for this.

Of course, any stylus based tool can be used to make hatch marks, so yes to using a pencil. Go with a soft one (B4 for example) so it matches the charcoal's tone.

Or you could go with a harder charcoal. One that may not be good for shading because it is too hard would do well for thin line work as long as it doesn't tear the paper.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Harder charcoal, how do I get that..?  
> **username_1**: Where are you getting your charcoal? Artist's charcoal, including vine, comes in different hardnesses. If you are making your own, or using cooking charcoal, you could try different wood types I suppose. The latter will unlikely ever be good for drawing though.  
> **username_2**: In addition: charcoal comes in different sizes. Pick very thin ones. Not only will the lines they produce be naturally thinner, they will also force you to draw very lightly, as otherwise they might break. This is key to hatching properly.  

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