Materials and Components - 1 - Sketching Techniques Flashcards
(22 cards)
What does a sketch show?
A sketch shows shape and form, and when annotated helps explain how the design work.
What is a freehand sketch?
Freehand sketches are quick, informal and can be ‘thumbnail’ sketches scrap paper.
What is a pictorial drawing?
A pictoral drawing involves using rulers and straight edges. It takes more time, but shows size and proportion more clearly.
What grade pencil would you use to draw a straight lines within a freehand sketch?
Straight lines are best drawn with a medium pencil, either grade HB. Grade H can also be used, for bolder lines.
What is the ‘ladder technique’, and how do you use it?
The ladder technique is when a short line is drawn, and is then used as a guide to draw longer lines. This is then repeated until the required length is achieved.
How do you draw freehand curves?
Freehand curves are drawn using the wrist and fingers as a natural compass, with the hand inside the curve. The ladder technique can also be used.
What is a draw?
A draw is when a straight edge or ruler is used to help images look neater and more accurate than freehand sketches.
Does a pictorial drawing result in a 2D or 3D sketch?
Pictorial drawings are shown in 3D, which shows both the depth and thickness of an object. Sketches and drawings that show the basic ‘flat’ shapes are known as 2 Dimensional (2D).
What are surface developments (nets) best drawn in?
Surface developments, more commonly knows as ‘nets’ are best drawn in 2D, where the thickness of material can be ignored.
What is an annotation?
Annotations are brief notes which help design sketches and drawings.
Which are the hardest and softest grades of pencil?
The hardest grade pencil is 7H (‘H’ meaning Hard), and the softest being 7B (‘B’ meaning Black)
What grade of pencil should be used for formal drawing?
You should use 2H or 3H for formal drawings, while HB and B are best for sketching.
What sort of effect to water soluble colour pencils give?
Water soluble pencils give an interesting ‘colour’ wash effect.
Why is cartridge/photocopying paper popular to use?
Cartridge paper is popular, mainly because the surface is good quality, and will take pencils, pens, or markers.
What is the weight of paper measured in?
Weight of paper is expressed in gsm, or Grams per square meter.
What is the industrial standard for measuring paper thickness?
Microns.
What are the two main types of marker pen available?
Water based pens are cheap, easy to use, and tend to be strong colours. Spirit based pens are more expensive, and have standard colours and tones.
What are Graphic liner pens?
Graphic liner pens (more commonly known as fine liners) are useful for general and ‘lining-in’ work. They are inexpensive and disposable.
What does CAD stand for?
Computer Aided Design.
What are thick/thin lines?
On a sketch, the outline is ‘lined in’ to make the shape stand out. Edges where only one surface or face in a thick or dark line, and edges where two surfaces or faces are seen are in a thin or lighter line.

What is tonal shading?
Tonal shading is when light and dark pencil shading is used to improve the illusion of 3D.