Almost all draftsmen use their hands and fingers to apply the media, with the exception of some handicapped individuals who draw with their mouth or feet. Prior to working on an image, the artist will likely want to gain an understanding of how the various media will work.

The different drawing implements can be tried on practice sheets in order to determine value and texture, and how to apply the implement in order to produce various effects.

The drawing strokes used control the appearance of the image. Pen and ink drawings often use hatching, which consists of groups of parallel lines. Cross-hatching uses hatching in two or more different directions to create a darker tone. Broken hatching, or lines with intermittent breaks, can be used to form lighter tones, and by controlling the density of the breaks a gradation of tone can be achieved. Stippling, uses dots to produce tone, texture or shade. Different textures can be achieved depending on the method used to build tone.

Drawings in dry media often use similar techniques, although with pencils and drawing sticks continuous variations in tone can be achieved. Typically a drawing will be filled in based on which hand the artist favors. A right-handed artist will want to draw from left to right in order to avoid smearing the image. Erasers can be used with many media to remove unwanted lines, lighten tones and clean up stray marks.

In a sketch or outline drawing, the lines drawn often follow the contour of the subject being drawn, creating depth by looking like shadows cast from a light in the artist's position.

Sometimes the artist will want to leave a section of the image untouched while filling in the remainder of the picture. The shape of the area to be preserved can be painted on with masking fluid or cut out of a frisket and applied to the drawing surface, protecting the surface from stray marks until the mask is removed.

Another method to preserve a section of the image is to apply a spray-on fixative to the surface. This will hold loose material more firmly to the sheet and prevent it from smearing. However the fixative spray typically uses chemicals that can harm the respiratory system, so it should be employed in a well-ventilated area such as outdoors.

Source: Wikipedia

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