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Cross-Hatch Shading

Explore the life and work of Rembrandt and create a drawing using the cross-hatch technique.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Shading is an effective way to add elements of depth and realism to any drawing. Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) was a Dutch master in the art of etching who depicted expression, form, and shadow using quick decisive strokes. He used a technique called cross-hatching to suggest variations in light and shadow. Display an image such as Rembrandt's "Self-Portrait Leaning on a Stone Still" and have students take note of the cross-hatching technique.

  • Step 2

    Ask students to create their own drawing using this technique. They might practice first by experimenting with varying intensity and placement of these crossing lines. Their drawing could be monochromatic, as many of Rembrandt's etchings were, or they could add additional color if they choose.

  • Step 3

    After students sketch the basic shape of their art, have them add details and the cross-hatching to provide depth to the image.

Standards

ARTS: Speculate about processes an artist uses to create a work of art

ARTS: Explore and invent art-making techniques and approaches.

Adaptations

Rembrandt painted "The Night Watch" in 1642, but in 1715 it was trimmed to fit between two doors in Amsterdam's city hall. Have students investigate the AI process that began in 2019 and was completed in 2021 to restore the missing edges of this magnificent painting.

Have students learn about the Dutch Golden Age of painting, which spanned the 17th century in the Netherlands and included artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, and Frans Hals.