Unit 2 Lesson 2: Use of Hand Tools (UT)

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Learning Targets 3

Boot Up 3

Learn about It! 5

Writing Instruments 5
Measuring Tools 6
Other Drawing Hand Tools 8
Knives and Cutters 11
Paper 12
Coloring Tools 13

Check Up 15

Plug and Play 17

Big Idea 17

Wrap Up 18

Bibliography 18

Glossary 18

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GRADE 7/8

Use of Hand Tools (UT)

Introduction

Fig. 1​ The pencil is the most common hand tool for Illustration.
(source https://www.pexels.com/photo/art-blur-close-up-color-89625/)

Illustration or drawing has been one of the oldest forms of art. Although nowadays, most
illustrations are created using computers, the use of the basic hand tools is still the most basic
skill illustrators like you should have. Knowledge of the function of the basic hand tools will
help you come up with the most creative and industry accepted illustrations.

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 Learning Targets

In this lesson, you should be able to:

● identify the different hand tools and equipment and
their functions for Illustration;
● identify the appropriate hand tools and equipment;
and
● classify hand tools and equipment according to
function and task requirement.

Boot Up

Getting to Know Your Tools

Write the names of the following common drawing tools:

Tool Name

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 Learn about It!

Hand tools used in illustrations are categorized as follows:

Writing Instruments
● Drawing pencils are the most basic requirement for any illustration job. Most common
pencil types used for drawing range from 2b to 2h. The letter and number refer to the
hardness of the pencil lead. Soft pencil types are used for quick drawings and shadings
while the hard types are for longer and very fine lines.

● Refillable or mechanical pencils ​are useful when you want to create lines with
consistent thickness. Refills come in different softness and thickness. The only
disadvantage of refills is they are more expensive than wooden-lead pencils.

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 ● Ink Fountain Pen ​is used for producing ‘fancy’ styles of writing. Often bought with a
fixed nib but there are types with changeable nibs to fit any drawing needs. The type of
writing produced is called ‘calligraphy.’

● Fine Pens are normally black in color and are used to draw permanent, accurate lines.
Fine pens comes in various thicknesses of ‘tips.’ They are more commonly used to
produce the final outlines of drawings in ink. They may also come in different colors.

Measuring Tools

● Ruler is one of the most common measuring tools for drawing. It is also used to
measure distances with lines.

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 ● Protractor i​ s used to draw and measure angles. The unit used is degrees.

● Set Squares ​or ​Triangles ​are used to draw accurate angles. The most common
triangles are 45 and 60/30 degrees. They are used along with a T-square.

● Parallel Ruler is used to draw parallel lines. It is made up of two rulers connected by
two linkages which provide the parallel motion.

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 ● Adjustable Square ​is a set square variation. Unlike the set square which has a fixed
angle measurement, this can be adjusted to almost any angle.

● T-squares ​are used to draw horizontal lines. It is commonly used with a drawing board,
set squares and clips. It is pushed firmly against the edge of the drawing board when it
is being used.

Other Drawing Hand Tools

● Drawing Board ​is a flat, smooth board where the paper is attached for making
illustrations or designs.

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 ● Compass ​is used to draw arcs and circles of any size very accurately. A variation, the
bow compass, can draw bigger arcs and circles.

● French Curves ​are used to draw curves by matching the section of the curve on the
profile of the curve in the drawing.

● Flexi Curve​, just like a french curve, is used to draw curves. Unlike the french curve,
this one is adjustable and can be used in almost any type of drawing curve tasks.

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 ● Circle Templates ​are usually made of plastic containing holes for circles of varying
sizes. They are very useful in drawing very small circles that are difficult to make with a
compass. There are also templates for other shapes as well.

● Sharpeners are used to sharpen pencils to create more accurate thin lines. But for
shading purposes a blunt pencil is more useful.

● Erasers are used to remove pencil marks on the drawing or for making changes with
the illustration. The different kinds of erasers are:

○ Gum Erasers ​have a soft, gummy-like texture and are usually translucent in
color. They can absorb graphite and dirt as they erase and are suited for a variety
of paper types.
○ Rubber Erasers ​are the most common type of eraser. They are usually the small
pink eraser on top of most commercial pencil. They are firmer and work more
prices than gum erasers. They can also be used in many types of paper but
rubbing very hard can damage the paper.

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 ○ Kneaded Erasers ​or also known as ​kneaded rubber can be molded just like clay.
They do not leave any crumbs like a rubber eraser. Since they can be molded into
shapes, they are used to remove very fine details but are not suited for erasing
large areas.
○ Vinyl Erasers ​or also known as ​plastic erasers are literally hard. They are
commonly used for heavy-duty erasing tasks because of their rigid texture. They
can completely erase marks but can possibly damage the paper when not
carefully used. They are not suited for delicate types of paper.

Knives and Cutters

● Craft Knives can be used to sharpen pencils. Unlike the sharpener that creates shorter
pencil leads, a craft knife can be used to leave the pencil lead longer to create more
accurate fine lines.

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 ● Compass Cutters are used to cut out accurate circles better than using scissors that
can often produce poor results on card or paper. The tip is made of a craft blade that
requires care when in use.

Paper
● Drafting Paper is a silk-paper-like thin translucent type of paper. This type of paper
comes in varying thickness and strengths and technically wrinkles upon wetting.
Suitable for pencil and felt tip pens and some limited kinds of technical pens for erasing
ink on this kind of paper is quite damaging.
● Tracing Paper or also known as ​vellum is a polished type of paper which also comes in
different strengths and thickness. It also wrinkles when wet. You can use an eraser or
sharp scraper tool to remove markings or make corrections.
● Watercolor Paper ​is used for watercolor illustrations. They can withstand wetting and
will not easily wrinkle with water. Some types of watercolor paper are:
○ Cold Press paper ​is typically coarse which results in small irregular indentions in
the paper surface that is suited for watercolor, pastelist artists, or anyone who
would like to take advantage of the texture of the surface.
○ Hot Press paper ​is a smooth type of watercolor paper which is designed for
artists who wish to have more control over details, accuracy, and precision of
lines with the use of ink or a pen.
○ Rough paper ​is the roughest type and can withstand heavy wetting or multiple
washes of watercolor and heavy application of pastels.
● Bristol Boards ​are a heavier type of paper similar to cardboard and are suited for
graphite, charcoal, and colored pencils.

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 ● Illustration Boards ​are almost the same as bristol boards but are more rigid. Only one
side of the board can be used for illustration because the backside features a thick
heavy board that provides support.

Coloring Tools
● Acrylics are the most common type of paint used for illustrations. Commonly applied
with a brush to any paper that lets the paint adhere to it to produce bright vivid colors.
● Colored Pencils are used to produce colored sketches. These are most suitable for fine
accurate lines on rough paper designed for this coloring material.
● Charcoal Pencils are great for sketching and are most suitable for shading large areas
compared to ordinary graphite pencils. They can only produce limited colors to shades
of black, gray, and white.
● Ink Pens ​are best for creating accurate thin lines. They can create vivid colors but are
suitable only for small areas since shading large areas is too time-consuming.
● Oil Pastels ​can create vivid colors but requires a great deal of control while applying
since pastels are quite soft and could be messy. They are used by rubbing the pastel
onto the rough paper and blending using the finger. They come in three types: soft,
hard, and pastel pencils.
● Watercolor ​is the most common coloring material but the best kinds are quite
expensive. A special kind of paper is used for watercolor since wetting can wrinkle the
paper.

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 ​ ry It!
T

The following are types of coloring materials. Research on the advantages and disadvantages
of each:

Coloring Materials Advantages Disadvantages

Acrylic

Colored Pencils

Charcoal

Ink Pens

Oil Pastels

Watercolor

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 Check Up

A. Identify the following drawing hand tools

Tool Name

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 B. Answer the following:

1. Differentiate an ordinary graphite pencil from a charcoal pencil.

2. Why does paper come in different types?
3. What are the criteria in choosing the right kind of eraser for a task?
4. What must an artist like you consider when choosing the right kind of coloring
material?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a ruler?

C. Answer the following:

1. Sheila would like to use oil pastels for her project. What kind of paper would you
suggest for her to use and why?
2. In his art class, Dino always has a problem with his eraser since it always
damages his paper. What suggestions can you give him to prevent this problem?
3. In his Entrepreneur class, Jay was tasked by his group mates to bring the paper
for their product poster. The requirement is that the paper should be sturdy
enough to stand and the coloring material they will use is watercolor. What kind
of paper should he bring and why?
4. Mark’s designs always contain curved lines. He wanted to create more designs
with curves. Which do you suggest for him to use, a flexi curve or the French
curve? Justify your answer.
5. A design requires the students to draw and cut out big circles. Discuss the kind
of tools they need to use and prepare.

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 Plug and Play
Planning for an Illustration

You are a graphic artist tasked to create an advertisement poster for a product (you may
choose any product).
List down below the tools and materials you will use and explain their function for your
project:

Tool /Material Explanation

1.

2.

3.

4.

Big Idea

Different jobs require different tools. The knowledge of using the right tool and material for a
job will help you come up with the best output with efficiency and effectiveness.

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 Wrap Up

● Always use the right tool for the right job.

● Mastering the use of a tool or medium for illustration helps build an artist’s confidence
to produce the best output.
● Choose the right kind of material always like the simple pencil, paper and eraser.

Bibliography

Website:
The Virtual Instructor. “All about Drawing Papers and Surfaces.” Accessed November 25, 2018.
https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/all-about-drawing-papers-and-surfaces.
The Virtual Instructor. “All about Drawing Papers and Surfaces.” Accessed November 25, 2018.
https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/10-essential-drawing-materials-and-tools-for-begi
nners
Art Tutor.”The Essential Materials You Need for Drawing and Painting”. Accessed November
26, 2018. https://www.arttutor.com/blog/201508/essential-materials-you-need-drawing-
painting

Glossary

Hand tools a
​ re tools that do not require special machines to manipulate.
Media ​are the surface on which illustrations are drawn.

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