Engineering Drawing N1

Module 3 - Freehand Drawing

Learning Outcomes:

 This module aims to teach you how to do freehand drawing.

3.1. Introduction

Freehand drawing or sketching is the most effective way to communicate a pictorial or verbal
idea. Freehand drawings may be schematic, instructional or just expressing new ideas.
Once the ideas, concepts and details have been finalised, more precise technical drawings
may be produced for manufacturing. Since freehand drawing is used to convey thoughts and
ideas, important concepts of engineering drawing need to be used.

Definitions:

Schematic
A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract,
Instruments
graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schematic

Symmetry
An object or an item which is made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis
showing symmetry

Aspect Ratio
Is the ratio of the width to the height of an object or image.

Freehand means freehand, therefore the only materials allowed are paper, a pencil and an
eraser. Engineering drawing with instruments, recommend a 2H or 3H pencil be used, here
however you can use a softer lead pencil. The 2H and 3H pencils will be too hard.

Pencil lead is classified according to how hard the lead is. Lead is made up of different
graphite and clay amounts. The more clay used, the harder the lead and the more graphite
used the softer the lead. So, it is recommended for freehand drawings to use one of the
following softer lead pencils: HB, F or H.

3.2. Aspects of freehand drawing:

 Proportion – The objects dawn must relate to each other in terms of size and
shape.
 Correctness – The details of the drawn object should be correct and in the right
places.
 Neatness – All writing should be clearly legible and all line work from outlines to
construction lines should be neat and free from misinterpretation.
 Accuracy – Aspects such as sizes, scale and dimensioning should be as
accurate as possible.

3.3. Drawing Techniques

 It is not recommended to tape down the drawing page to a board, as it will be

easier to rotate the page than turn your hand at odd angles.

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  Do not hold the pencil in a tight grip as this will limit the free movement of your
wrist. Hold the pencil away from the writing edge about 40mm or at a comfortable
distance thereabout.
 Train yourself to look at where the drawing line should end rather than the tip if
the pencil.
 Rest the heel of your palm on the page. This gives your wrist and arm free
movement.
 Developing hand/eye co-ordination is very important. This should be practiced
regularly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w9ivFPBB2s

3.4. Tips for drawing various lines and shapes:

These tips and techniques are based on right-handed persons. Left-handed persons
should adjust accordingly.

 The line is the most important part of free hand drawing as the image is made up
by straight and curved lines.
 Straight lines are divided into horizontal, vertical or oblique (angled).
 Hold the pencil at a comfortable angle: allowing a clear view of the line being
drawn.
 You can rotate the page to draw horizontal or vertical lines.
 Always rotate the pencil while drawing to maintain a clear uniform line. Rotating
the pencil will ensure the lead remains sharper for longer.

3.5. Drawing straight Lines

 Straight lines can be divided into three different lines such as horizontal, vertical
and oblique (slanted or angled) lines.
 Hold the pencil with your thumb and fore finger to draw a line from top to bottom
on the page keeping your wrist and arm relaxed and the heel of your palm resting
on the page.
 You can also draw oblique lines by just adjusting the position of your arm.
 Another way to draw long straight lines is by sketching short lines and then
connecting it with one another.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFs0-mRWUyA

a) Drawing parallel lines – Vertical

 Vertical lines should be drawn from the top to the bottom of the page.
 You can use your little finger to run at the edge of the page or drawing
board to ensure the line remains straight and parallel to the other lines.

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 b) Drawing parallel lines – Horizontal
 When drawing horizontal lines allow your hand and forearm to turn at the
elbow, and the palm of your hand should slide horizontally across the
paper.
 You should first try drawing a line in the air to see how the line goes and
then apply a little pressure on the pencil tip and draw a horizontal line
lightly.

c) Drawing parallel lines – Oblique

 The oblique lines are drawn from the one corner of the page to the other
at an angle.
 Right-handed people draw angled or oblique lines from the bottom left to
the top right of the paper.
 Drawing oblique lines can be easier by just turning the page at an angle
so that the line drawn can become vertical or horizontal.

N1 Engineering Drawing - Module 3 Page 3

3.6. Drawing arcs and circles

a) For small circles - Do not draw a circle in one motion: rather draw a square in
construction line type of the size of the circle required. Divide the square in quarters
creating a four square grid. Now draw an arc in each of the smaller squares to form
the circle.

b) For larger circles - Draw two lines crossing each other at 90 degrees: larger
than the length of the diameter of the circle required. Estimate the 45 degree angles in each
quadrant and draw lines from the centre moving out. Using your pencil or a piece of paper
you can measure out the radius of the circle you want and mark off on each of the lines.
Draw arcs between the points to form the circle.

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 c) For large arcs - By using your wrist as a pivot point you will be able to draw
larger arcs. You can also rest the heel of your palm on the page and then
rotate the page.

3.7. Drawing complex shapes

Drawing complex shapes can be very overwhelming but you can make it simple by
breaking it down into more simple shapes like triangles, squares, rectangles, arcs
and circles. Remember to maintain size and proportion. Once you have drawn a light
sketch of the simple shapes in place, you can sketch out the outline of the object.
Once satisfied, lightly sketch out the other details. Once this is done you can darken
the desired image outlines and erase unnecessary construction lines.

3.8. Freehand drawing using grid paper

 Grid paper is a specially printed sheet which can be bought with various grid
patterns on them.
 Drawing freehand on these sheets makes freehand drawing of complex shapes
much easier.
 Accuracy with size and proportion is greatly increased.
 You will be able to draw more consistent parallel lines.

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3.9. Module Summary

In this module you would have learnt:

 Aspects and tips of freehand drawing.
 Drawing techniques.
 Drawing vertical, horizontal and oblique lines.
 Drawing small and large circles.
 Drawing complex shapes with and without grid paper.

Activity 1:

a) List and explain the aspects of freehand drawing.

b) What kind of pencil lead is suitable for freehand drawing? Explain your answer.

c) Explain in your own words how you would go about drawing small freehand circles.

d) Use freehand to draw the divider in any size you choose making sure to maintain the
correct proportions.

e) Copy and complete the drawing of the metal plate on square grid paper. The other
half is symmetrical.

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 f) Make freehand drawings of the following.

Cutter

Shaped Block Machine Part

g) Follow the instructions for these freehand drawings.

Copy the figures on square grid paper. Then using freehand, draw to the required
scale.

1) Scale 2:1 2) Scale 1:2

Estimate the rest of the dimensions
proportionately.

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h) The following are pictures of common tools. Produce a line drawing of the tools using
only a pencil, eraser and a page. Draw with much detail as possible. Remember to
maintain proportion.

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Assessment Task

QUESTION 1

FIGURE 1 shows a view of a Club Hammer.

Using only a pencil and eraser draw the given view of the Club Hammer, 1.5 times the given
size. [10]

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References

1. Van Leeuwen, J.; du Plooy, D. (2014)

2. Mind Action Series Engineering Graphics and Design Textbook
Allcopy Publishers, Sanlamhof, 7532
3. Deon, R. (2017) Hands On! Engineering Drawing N1
Mowbray: Future Managers
4. Brink; C.G., Gibbons; P.J., Theron; A.E. (1997) Engineering Drawing N1: Second
Edition.
Pearson South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
5. en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Geometry

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