Crosshatching, often also called hatching is a simple drawing technique that can be used to create tone, or shading even though the drawing is done in one solid color.

Cross hatching is commonly seen in pen and ink drawings and etchings, generally the ink is solid black and the paper white, therefore the only way tone can only be created is by leaving the paper surface exposed. To create shade or tone, the artist may use cross hatching or stippling or both to increase the tonal depth of the finished artwork.