1
Drawing Tools &
Materials
This chapter introduces the pencils and pens necessary for
inscribing lines, the instruments available for guiding the eye and
hand while drawing, and the surfaces suitable for receiving the
hand-drawn lines. While digital technology continues to augment
and enhance this traditional drawing toolkit, hand drawing with a
pen or pencil remains the most direct and versatile means of
learning the language of architectural graphics.
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DRAWING PENCILS
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Pencils are relatively inexpensive, quite versatile, and uniquely responsive to
pressure while drawing.
Lead Holders
¥ Lead holders employ standard 2 mm leads.
¥ The push-button action of a clutch mechanism allows the exposed length
of the lead shaft to be adjusted or withdrawn when the pencil is not in use.
¥ The lead point, which is capable of a variety of line weights, must be kept
well sharpened with a lead pointer.
Mechanical Pencils
¥ Mechanical pencils utilize 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, and 0.9 mm leads.
¥ A push-button mechanism advances the lead automatically through a
metal sleeve. This sleeve should be long enough to clear the edges of
drafting triangles and straightedges.
¥ The relatively thin leads of mechanical pencils do not require sharpening.
¥ 0.3 mm pencils yield very fine lines, but the thin leads are susceptible to
breaking if applied with too much pressure.
¥ 0.5 mm pencils are the most practical for general drawing purposes.
¥ 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm pencils are useful for sketching and writing; avoid
using these pencils to produce heavy line weights.
Wood-Encased Pencils
¥ Wooden drawing pencils are typically used for freehand drawing and sketching.
If used for drafting, the wood must be shaved back to expose 3/4" of the lead
shaft so that it can be sharpened with sandpaper or a lead pointer.
All three styles of pencils are capable of producing quality line drawings. As you
try each type out, you will gradually develop a preference for the characteristic
feel, weight, and balance of a particular instrument as you draw.
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DRAWING LEADS
DRAWING TOOLS & MATERIALS / 3
Recommendations for Grades of Graphite Lead
4H
¥ This dense grade of lead is best suited for accurately
marking and laying out light construction lines.
¥ The thin, light lines are difficult to read and reproduce
and should therefore not be used for finish drawings.
¥ When applied with too much pressure, the dense lead
can engrave paper and board surfaces, leaving grooves
that are difficult to remove.
2H
¥ This medium-hard lead is also used for laying out
drawings and is the densest grade of lead suitable for
finish drawings.
¥ 2H lines do not erase easily if drawn with a heavy hand.
F and H
¥ These are general-purpose grades of lead suitable for
layouts, finish drawings, and handlettering.
HB
¥ This relatively soft grade of lead is capable of dense
linework and handlettering.
¥ HB lines erase and print well but tend to smear easily.
¥ Experience and good technique are required to control
the quality of HB linework.
B
¥ This soft grade of lead is used for very dense linework
and handlettering.
The texture and density of a drawing surface affect how
hard or soft a pencil lead feels. The more tooth or
roughness a surface has, the harder the lead you should
use; the more dense a surface is, the softer a lead feels.
Graphite Leads
Grades of graphite lead for drawing on paper
surfaces range from 9H (extremely hard) to
6B (extremely soft). Given equal hand
pressure, harder leads produce lighter and
thinner lines, whereas softer leads produce
denser, wider lines.
Colored Leads
Nonphoto blue leads are used for guidelines
that will not reproduce on photocopiers.
Nonprint violet leads produce guidelines that
will not reproduce on diazo machines; the lines,
however, may print on photocopy machines.
Test prints are therefore always advisable
when using either nonphoto or nonprint leads.
Plastic Leads
Specially formulated plastic polymer leads are
available for drawing on drafting film. Grades of
plastic lead range from E0, N0, or P0 (soft) to
E5, N5, or P5 (hard). The letters E, N, and P are
manufacturerÕs designations; the numbers 0
through 5 refer to degrees of hardness.
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TECHNICAL PENS
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Technical pens are capable of producing precise, consistent ink
lines without the application of pressure. As with lead holders and
mechanical pencils, technical pens from different manufacturers
vary in form and operation. Most technical pens, however, utilize an
ink-flow-regulating wire within a tubular nib, the size of which
determines the width of the ink line.
There are a dozen point sizes available, from extremely fine
(6 x 0, equivalent to 0.13 mm) to very wide (7, equivalent to 2 mm).
Stainless-steel tips are satisfactory for drawing on vellum but
wear too quickly on drafting film. Tungsten or jewel tips are
required for drafting on film.
A starting pen set should include the following point sizes:
¥ 4 x 0 0.18 mm line width
¥ 0 0.35 mm line width
¥ 1 0.50 mm line width
¥ 3 0.80 mm line width
¥ The tubular point should be long enough to clear the thickness of
¥ Use waterproof, nonclogging, fast-drying black drawing ink.
¥ Keep points screwed in securely to prevent ink leaking.
¥ After each use, replace the pen cap firmly to prevent the ink
from drying.
¥ When pens are not in use, store them with their tips up.
Digital Stylus
The digital equivalent of the pen and pencil is the stylus. Used with
a digitizing tablet and appropriate software, it replaces the mouse
and enables the user to draw in a freehand manner. Some models
and software are able to detect and respond to the amount of
hand pressure to mimic more realistically the effects of traditional
media.
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T-SQUARES & PARALLEL RULES
DRAWING TOOLS & MATERIALS / 5
T-Squares
T-squares are straightedges that have a short
crosspiece at one end. This head slides along the
edge of a drawing board as a guide in establishing
and drawing straight parallel lines. T-squares are
relatively low in cost and portable but require a
straight and true edge against which their heads
can slide.
¥ This end of a T-square is subject to wobbling.
Parallel Rules
Parallel rules are equipped with a system of cables
and pulleys that allows their straightedges to
move across a drawing board only in a parallel
manner. Parallel rules are more expensive and less
portable than T-squares but enable one to draft
with greater speed and accuracy.
¥ T-squares are available in 18", 24", 30", 36",
42", and 48" lengths. 42" or 48" lengths are
recommended.
¥ A metal angle secured to the drawing board
can provide a true edge.
¥ Use this length of the straightedge.
¥ T-squares with clear, acrylic straightedges
should not be used for cutting. Metal
T-squares are available for this purpose.
¥ Rollers enable the parallel rule to move freely
across a drawing surface.
¥ Transparent, acrylic edges are recommended
for better visibility while drawing lines. Some
models are available with metal cutting edges.
¥ Parallel rules are available in 30", 36", 42", 48",
54", and 60" lengths. The 48" length is
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TRIANGLES
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Triangles are drafting aids used to guide the drawing of
vertical lines and lines at specified angles. They have a
right angle and either two 45¡ angles or one 30¡ and
one 60¡ angle.
¥ 4" to 24" lengths are available.
¥ 8" to 10" lengths are recommended.
¥ Small triangles are useful for crosshatching small
areas and as a guide in handlettering. See page 180.
¥ Larger triangles are useful in constructing
perspectives.
¥ The 45¡Ð45¡ and 30¡Ð60¡ triangles can be used in
combination to produce angular increments of 15¡.
See page 19.
¥ Triangles are made of clear, scratch-resistant, nonyellowing
acrylic to allow a transparent, undistorted
view through to the work below. Fluorescent orange
acrylic triangles are also available for greater visibility
on the drafting surface.
¥ Machined edges should be polished for precision and
to facilitate drawing. Some triangles have raised
edges for inking with technical pens.
¥ Inner edges may be beveled to serve as finger lifts.
¥ Keep triangles clean by washing with a mild soap
and water.
¥ Triangles should not be used as a straightedge for
cutting materials.
Adjustable Triangles
Adjustable triangles have a movable leg that is held in
place with a thumbscrew and a scale for measuring
angles. These instruments are useful for drawing such
inclined lines as the slope of a stair or the pitch of a roof.
45¡
45¡ 90¡
30¡
60¡ 90¡
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TEMPLATES
DRAWING TOOLS & MATERIALS / 7
Templates have cutouts to guide the drawing of
predetermined shapes.
Electronic Templates
Drawing and CAD programs include electronic
templates of geometric shapes, furnishings, fixtures,
as well as user-defined elements. The purpose of
physical and electronic templates remains the sameÑ
to save time when drawing repetitive elements.
A significant advantage of CAD programs is their ability
to have a symbol represent all instances of a graphic
element or object in a drawing or design, such as the
dimensions of a window opening or a unit plan in a
housing project. Any change made to the definition or
attributes of that symbol automatically updates all
instances of it throughout a drawing or design project.
¥ Circle templates provide a graduated
series of circles commonly based on
fractions and multiples of an inch.
Metric sizes are also available.
¥ The actual size of a cutout differs
from the drawn size due to the
thickness of the lead shaft or pen tip.
¥ Some templates have dimples to
raise them off of the drawing surface
while inking.
¥ Templates are available for drawing
other geometric shapes, such as
ellipses, as well as symbols for
plumbing fixtures and furnishings at
various scales.
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COMPASSES
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The compass is essential for drawing large circles
as well as circles of indeterminate radii.
¥ It is difficult to apply pressure when using a
compass. Using too hard a grade of lead can
therefore result in too light of a line. A softer
grade of lead, sharpened to a chisel point, will
usually produce the sharpest line without
undue pressure. A chisel point dulls easily,
however, and must be sharpened often.
¥ An attachment allows technical pens to be used
with a compass.
¥ Even larger circles can be drawn by appending an
extension arm or using a beam compass.
¥ A variety of French curves are manufactured to
guide the drawing of irregular curves.
¥ Adjustable curves are shaped by hand and held
in position to draw a fair curve through a series
of points.
¥ Protractors are semicircular instruments for
measuring and plotting angles.
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ERASERS & CLEANING AIDS
DRAWING TOOLS & MATERIALS / 9
Erasers
One of the advantages of drawing with a pencil is the
ability to easily erase pencil marks. Always use the
softest eraser compatible with the medium and the
drawing surface. Avoid using abrasive ink erasers.
¥ Vinyl or PVC plastic erasers are nonabrasive and will
not smear or mar the drawing surface.
¥ Some erasers are saturated with erasing fluid to
erase ink lines from paper and drafting films.
¥ Liquid erasing fluid removes pencil and ink markings
from drafting film.
¥ Electric erasers are very convenient for erasing
large areas and ink lines. Compact, battery-operated
models are especially handy.
Other Aids
¥ Drafting brushes help keep the drawing surface
clean of erasure fragments and other particles.
¥ Soft, granular drafting powder is available that
provides a temporary protective coating over
drawings during drafting, picks up pencil lead dust,
and keeps the drawing surface clean. If used too
heavily, the powder can cause lines to skip, so use
sparingly, if at all.
¥ Pounce powder may be used to prepare drawing
surfaces for inking.
Erasing Shields
Erasing shields have cutouts of various
shapes and sizes to confine the area of a
drawing to be erased. These thin stainlesssteel
shields are especially effective in
protecting the drawing surface while using
an electric eraser. Ones that have squarecut
holes allow the erasure of precise areas
of a drawing.
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SCALES
10 / ARCHITECTURAL GRAPHICS
In drawing, ÒscaleÓ refers to a proportion determining the
relation of a representation to the full size of that which
is represented. The term also applies to any of various
instruments having one or more sets of precisely
graduated and numbered spaces for measuring, reading,
or transferring dimensions and distances in a drawing.
ArchitectÕs Scales
An architectÕs scale has graduations along its edges
so that scale drawings can be measured directly in feet
and inches.
¥ Triangular scales have 6 sides with 11 scales, a full-size
scale in 1/16" increment, as well as the following
architectural scales: 3/32", 3/16", 1/8", 1/4", 1/2", 3/8",
3/4", 1", 1-1/2", and 3" = 1'-0".
¥ Flat-beveled scales have either 2 sides with 4 scales or
4 sides with 8 scales.
¥ Both 12" and 6" lengths are available.
¥ Scales should have precisely calibrated
graduations and engraved, wear-resistant markings.
¥ Scales should never be used as a
straightedge for drawing lines.
¥ To read an architectÕs scale, use the part of scale
graduated in whole feet and the division of a foot for
increments smaller than a foot.
¥ The larger the scale of a drawing, the more information
it can and should contain.
¥ 1/8" = 1'-0"
¥ 1/4" = 1'-0"
¥ 1/2" = 1'-0"
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DRAWING TOOLS & MATERIALS / 11
EngineerÕs Scales
An engineerÕs scale has one or more sets of
graduated and numbered spaces, each set being
divided into 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 parts to
the inch.
Metric Scales
Metric scales consist of one or more sets of
...
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