Lines and marks record spatial information in interior design drawings and graphics. Control of line thickness and the type of stroke used are important and convey specific information. Thus, the implement used to create lines and marks is a key factor in design drawing.
GRAPHITE is mixed with clay and other elements to produce what are commonly called “lead” pencils. Graphite pencils, used in design drawing, are available in a range of hardnesses based on the mixture of clay to graphite. Graphite pencils and replaceable “leads” are coded with a standard rating system: H stands for hard, B stands for black (the softer leads). The number found next to the H or B refers to the level of hardness. For example, a 6B is softer than a 2B; an 8H is very hard. F-rated leads are at the center of the range, and HB leads are slightly harder than Bs. The softer leads are used in sketching and rendering, whereas H, 2H, and sometimes F leads are most commonly used in drafting. Polymerbased leads, which are used on plastic and polyester drafting films, are often graded differently than graphite leads. The graphite described above is used in a variety of mark-making implements. WOODEN DRAWING PENCILS involve a graphite mixture encased in wood and are sharpened like standard wooden writing pencils. MECHANICAL PENCILS are hollow instruments that hold very fine graphite leads. These are sold in a variety of lead widths to create a range of line weights. LEAD HOLDERS are hollow implements that accept thicker leads than mechanical pencils. Although lead holders do not allow for any variety in lead widths, they do accept a range of lead types in terms of softness. Lead holders require the use of a specialized sharpener, known as a LEAD POINTER. Specialized colored drafting pencils and leads can be used to develop drawings prior to hard-lining them. NON-PHOTO-BLUEcolored pencils do not reproduce when photographed; however, they sometimes reproduce when photocopied. NONPRINT colored pencils do not reproduce in diazo prints. When appropriate, both types of pencil can be used to lay out drawings prior to completion. One of the significant advantages of using graphite pencils is the ease of erasing. Harder leads are often the most difficult to erase,
whereas soft pencil marks are easily lifted with gray kneaded erasers or pink erasers. Plastic and film erasers can be used to remove marks made with harder leads. A metal ERASER SHIELD is used to protect the drawing surface from unwanted erasing. DRY CLEANING PADS, containing art gum powder that sifts onto drawing surfaces, are available to keep drawings clean. TECHNICAL PENS have tubular points and refillable ink reservoirs. They are available in a range of point sizes that allow for absolute control of line weight. Because they employ black ink and metal points, technical pens create the finest line work of any drawing implement. They must be used with the appropriate ink, as specified by the manufacturer. DISPOSABLE TECHNICAL PENScombine a tubular support with a felt tip and are available in a range of point sizes. These pens require no maintenance or cleaning, making them easy to use. Although disposable pens have been known to skip, causing inconsistent line work, they have improved a great deal recently and are becoming very popular. FELT-TIP PENS are available in a range of styles and point sizes; they are often used in sketching, exploration, and rendering. Felt-tip pens are not generally used for refined drafted drawings or working drawings. Erasing ink marks is rather difficult and requires special erasers. Hard plastic erasers can remove ink. However, an ELECTRIC ERASER with the appropriate eraser insert is most useful in removing ink. Electric erasers are very effective but must always be used with an eraser shield. Ink marks on film are erased more easily than those on vellum. Sharp razor blades are sometimes used to scrape ink away from drawing surfaces. A quality DRAWING BOARD is required for the creation of successful drawings. Serious students must purchase a top-quality drawing board if possible. The board should accommodate a minimum paper size of 24" by 36". Drawing boards should be covered with a specialized vinyl drawing surface, sold at drafting and art supply stores. The vinyl surface helps to improve line consistency.
T SQUARES are used in conjunction with the edge of the drawing board to provide an accurate horizontal line or right angle for drawings. PARALLEL RULERS can be attached to drawing boards using a system of screws, cables, and pulleys. This creates the sliding straightedge that is the standard in professional practice. Triangles are used with a T square to create vertical and angled lines. Adjustable and 45/45-degree and 30/60-degree triangles are readily available. Triangles should be fairly clear, easy to see through, and as substantial as possible. An inking triangle with raised edges is required when using ink. It is also useful to have a tiny triangle on hand as an aid in lettering. Triangles should never be used as a cutting edge; this will ruin them. A corkbacked metal ruler is the best edge for cutting. DRAFTING TAPE or PRECUT DRAFTING DOTS are used to attach drawings to drawing boards. Unlike standard masking and household tape, drafting tape and dots are easy to remove from both the paper and the drawing board. A DRAFTING BRUSH is used to remove eraser debris from the drawing surface. Measured interior design drawings require the use of a proportional scale. This allows for large areas to be reduced in size to fit on relatively small drawings. An ARCHITECTURAL SCALE is the standard scale ruler used in interior design drawing. Architectural scales are marked in a manner that makes measuring in scale fairly easy. For example, in 1/4-inch scale the ruler is marked so that each 1/4 inch measures 1 foot in scale. Architectural scales have inches marked below the zero marking; these are used to measure elements that are not exact to the foot. In transferring measurements, great care should be taken to record accurate dimensions. Scale rulers should never be used to draw against, as this would result in poorly drawn lines and damaged rulers. TEMPLATESare most commonly constructed of plastic and are used much like stencils to draw various shapes, including circles, ellipses, furnishings, and fixtures. The more expensive templates — constructed of heavy, durable plastic—are worth the extra money. Furniture and fixture templates work well to quickly lay out and plan spaces. However, in presentation drawings furniture and fixtures drawn from templates can appear artificial and monotonous
FRENCH CURVES are drawn against as an aid in producing curved lines. FLEXIBLE CURVES, also known as snakes, are also used as an aid in drawing curved lines. These have flexible splines that can be bent to accommodate the desired curve. These also work well for transferring curves from one drawing surface to another. A COMPASS is used for drawing accurate circles and arcs and is useful in situations where a template does not contain a circle of the required size. It is worthwhile to purchase a good compass that adjusts easily and accepts drawing leads and ink heads.
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