Graduating Squirkles

Brenda Hoddinott
D-02 BEGINNER: SQUIRKLING

In this lesson you explore squirkle shading in drawings and then render graduated values with
squirkles. By varying the density (drawing the lines either far apart or close together) of the lines,
you can achieve many different values. Light values tend to have noticeable curved lines with
lots of white space showing. In darker values, the lines are drawn more closely together, filling
in most of the paper with squirkles.
This lesson is divided into the following two parts:
EXAMINING SQUIRKLE GRADUATIONS IN DRAWINGS: The beauty of
squirkling, and its ability to produce an infinite range of values and a variety of textures,
is demonstrated in various drawings.
SHADING GRADUATIONS WITH SQUIRKLES: Step-by-step illustrated
instructions guide you through the process of rendering graduated squirkles.
Suggested drawing supplies include 2H, HB, 2B, 4B and 6B pencils, vinyl and kneaded erasers,
good quality drawing paper, a pencil sharpener, and a sandpaper block.

6 PAGES – 11 ILLUSTRATIONS
This lesson is recommended for artists and aspiring artists, of all levels and abilities, with an
interest in learning the textured shading technique of graduating squirkles, as well as home

schooling, academic and recreational fine art educators.
Published by Hoddinott Fine Art Publishers, Halifax, NS, Canada - 2007



Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for
any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
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2
Squirkles refers to a method of
shading incorporating randomly
drawn curved lines to create
textured values and graduated
value scales. I chose this name
based on the method of morphing
squiggles with circles to create
shading.
Squirkling refers to the technique
and the process of adding shading
to a drawing with squirkles.
Shading (noun) refers to the
various values that help make
drawings look three-dimensional;
(verb) refers to the process of
adding shading to a drawing.
Curved lines are created when a
straight line curves (or bends).
Examples of curved lines include
the letters C and U. A curved line

can become a circular shape when
the ends meet as in the letter O.
Texture is the surface detail of an
object, as defined in a drawing with
various shading techniques. The
senses of touch and sight help
identify the surface texture of
drawing subject.
Values are the different shades of
gray created when you draw by
varying both the density of the
shading lines, and the pressure
used in holding various pencils
Form, as applied to drawing, is the
illusion of the three-dimensional
structure of a shape, created in a
drawing with shading and/or
perspective.
Graduated shading (also known
as a graduation or graduated
values): is a continuous
progression of values from dark to
light or from light to dark.
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Squirkling is an easy method of shading in which
randomly drawn curved lines create textured values.
The beauty of squirkles is its ability to produce an
infinite range of values and a variety of textures.
Densely rendered graduated squirkles appear less
heavily textured than loosely drawn graduations.
ILLUSTRATION 01
Graduations
with squirkles
are incredibly
versatile.

When rendered
very tiny and
close together,
they look very
smooth, as in
this intricate
drawing of a
tiny section of a
portable
telephone.




ILLUSTRATION 02
This cartoon
drawing of a
sheep
demonstrates the
wonderful wooly,
(knobby or
bumpy) texture
created with
loosely rendered
squirkles.



Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for
any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.

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3
ILLUSTRATION 03
Squirkles work beautifully for
rendering foliage and
shrubbery in a nature drawing.


Both high and low contrast
shading can be rendered with
squirkles. Contrast is the
comparison of different values
when put beside one another.
ILLUSTRATION 04
A full range of values from white to black
is used in this high contrast drawing a dark
haired young lady, named Anne. High
contrast is created when very dark values
are drawn close to the lightest values.
The texture of the fleece fabric of her
jacket looks very realistic when rendered
with squirkling.
ILLUSTRATION 05





With the exception of the pupils of

the eyes, the graduated values, in
this low contrast drawing of a baby
(my niece Claire), range between
light to medium. Low contrast
shading has a limited range of
values.
Graduated squirkles work nicely
for rendering both the texture of
her terrycloth hat, and the delicate
texture of her beautiful face.
Specific sections of a drawing
subject frequently need customized
approaches to graduating values.

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for
any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
E-mail
Web sites and
4
ILLUSTRATION 08
ILLUSTRATION 06 ILLUSTRATION 07
Some sections of a single
drawing can have a full range
of graduated values from
very light (or white) to
almost black. Another section
of the same drawing may
have a graduation from light
to middle values only. A
graduation in a shadow

section can range from a dark
middle value to almost black.
Graduations often need to be
drawn within a compact
space. Examine the
graduation (Illustration 07)
and Claire’s eye in
Illustration 06. The values
around the outer edge of her
iris are dark, but graduate
lighter toward the pupil. The
iris is the colored circular
section of the eyeball. The
pupil is the dark circular
shape within the iris.
Conversely, some subjects
require values to graduate
smoothly over a relatively
long distance (Illustration 08)
Illustration 06 shows an
entire side of Claire’s face,
rendered with squirkling
graduations that range in
value from light to medium.

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Squirkles are simple to draw, easy to control, and can produce a full range of values. In a
graduation, squirkle lines are lighter and farther apart for lighter values, and gradually get darker
and closer together toward the dark sections.
Pencils play a huge role in the smooth progression of a graduation. In general, a 2H works well
for light values, an HB or 2B is great for middle values, and a 4B or 6B is good for dark values.
In addition, you draw fewer lines, farther apart for the lighter values, and more lines, closer
together for darker values. The amount of pressure you put on your pencil as you draw also
affects the resulting value. Press very lightly for a light value and harder for a darker value.

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for
any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
E-mail
Web sites and
5
1) Draw a long rectangular drawing space in your sketchbook.
Drawing space (sometimes called a drawing format) refers to the area of a drawing surface
within a specific perimeter, outlined by a shape of any size, such as a square or rectangle.
2) On the left side of your drawing space, press very lightly with your 2H pencil to draw
the lightest squirkles.
The lines curve in different directions all over your paper, with lots of white space
showing. Some lines cut across themselves creating lots of different shapes.
Graduations are best rendered by layering darker values over lighter ones. The goal of
graduated shading is to keep the transitions between different values flowing smoothly.
3) Make your shading a little darker as you move towards the right until you are close to
the middle of the rectangle.

Switch to an HB, draw your squirkle lines closer together, and press a little harder on the
pencil.
ILLUSTRATION 09








4) Add the middle values.
Continue making your shading darker and darker until you get almost to the end of your
drawing space. Use HB and 2B pencils. Many more lines, drawn closer together, make up
the middle values.
If the transition between your squirkle values doesn’t go as smoothly as you like, you can
improve it by adding a few more short curvy lines in between some of the other lines.
ILLUSTRATION 10