Rubber, leather & fabric
Bring different surfaces to life with simple marks.
Change the mark to change the surface
Use your practice area or a spare sheet to try the method before working on a favourite illustration.
01. Give rubber a range of greys
Begin with charcoal or dark grey rather than solid black. Keep a lighter area where the tyre curves towards the light.
02. Follow a leather curve
Use short controlled strokes along the shape of a seat. Deepen folds gently and avoid outlining every crease in black.
03. Use softer marks for fabric
A quiet, even base helps fabric look different from metal. Add subtle directional marks rather than strong reflections.
04. Compare neighbouring surfaces
Look at the tyre beside the wheel or the seat beside the tank. Their different textures should remain easy to read.
If everything looks equally shiny, soften the highlights on the rubber and fabric.
Try it on a favourite.
Choose an illustration from the book collections and begin with a small area.