How to use
SketchTiles

The tile goes under your paper. Your pencil brings out the pattern. Start with a small swatch, then bring the pattern into your drawing.

See the steps

Place the tile

Choose Fine or Coarse and place that side face up beneath the area you want to texture.
Rub with a pencil

Hold the paper and tile steady. Rub a pencil lightly across the paper, adjusting its angle and pressure as you go.
Refine the texture

Build up the mark with another light pass. To compare scales, flip the tile and try its other side on a fresh patch of paper.

Start with a small swatch

Paper: Begin with thin paper, such as printer, tracing or marker paper. Thicker sheets can make the pattern harder to pick up.
Pencil: Start with a soft graphite or coloured pencil. Keep the point sharp and try different pencil angles.
Pressure: If the mark is faint, try a softer pencil or thinner paper before pressing harder.

Four tiles. Two scales each

Choose a tile to see it in action.

Hexagonal Grid

Bring technical meshes and ventilation panels into your sketch without drawing every hexagon by hand.

Both scales included

One on each side. Select a sample to flip.

Isometric Dot Grid

Suggest perforated panels, speaker meshes and textured grips with an ordered dot pattern.

Both scales included

One on each side. Select a sample to flip.

Diagonal Lines

Define shadows and the direction of a surface with parallel hatching.

Both scales included

One on each side. Select a sample to flip.

Crosshatch

Suggest the feel of woven fabric, rubber grips and textured plastic with crossing lines.

Both scales included

One on each side. Select a sample to flip.

Take the texture further

Move, layer or offset the tile to change the pattern you put on paper.

Extend a pattern

Keep the tile edge against a ruler as you move it. Match the pattern to the previous marks before rubbing the next section. Practise on scrap paper first.

Watch the video