Viivapinta

Viivapinta is a Finnish term describing surface shading or texture produced by lines. In art and graphic design, it refers to the systematic use of line patterns to convey form, depth, and material properties on a two-dimensional surface. It encompasses techniques commonly known in English as hatching and cross-hatching.

The basic approach uses parallel lines with varying density and orientation to create tonal variation. By adjusting line spacing, thickness, and angle, artists simulate light and shadow. Cross-hatching uses intersecting lines to build richer tones. In digital work, hatch patterns can be generated as vector fills or bitmap textures.

Applications include traditional drawing, engraving, technical and architectural drawings, and digital illustration for textures such as wood grain or metal. It is also used in textile design and printmaking as a repeating or irregular line pattern. The technique can convey different materials and surfaces, from smooth to rough, depending on line quality and arrangement.

In design discourse, viivapinta is treated as a general concept rather than a fixed technique; terminology and emphasis vary by educational tradition and field. Related concepts include line shading, hatching, cross-hatching, and the broader idea of texture in the visual arts. Understanding viivapinta can help artists control tonal value and surface texture within limited line-based systems.