Crosshatching is best described as?

Crosshatching is primarily recognized as a technique in drawing and printmaking that employs crossed parallel lines to create the illusion of shading or texture. This method allows artists to manipulate light and shadow through the density and directionality of the lines, enhancing the three-dimensionality of forms on a two-dimensional surface. By varying the thickness and spacing of the lines, artists can achieve different effects and tonal ranges, making this technique versatile for creating depth in illustrations.

Other options describe different methods or techniques that do not accurately capture the essence of crosshatching. For example, shading with single lines or using circles pertains to other techniques but does not reflect the characteristic approach of crosshatching, where the focus is on the intersection of lines to create visual effects. Thus, the selection identifies the fundamental aspect of crosshatching as a method using crossed parallel lines, underscoring its importance in artistic rendering and rendering of light and shadow.