Cross-hatching means creating shading effect with closed fine parallel lines. These cross lines are created by placing lines at an angle to one another. This method is mainly used in pencil drawing, but may be used in pen and ink drawing also to create variety areas of tone. It uses a series of criss-cross lines built up to create more complicated tones. It can be helpful to create darker tones or shades to give an effect of shadow or depth. Cross hatching is used in many forms of printmaking, engraving, etching, woodcut etc.