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EzJedi — Tutorial: Creating Crisp Line Art

Published: 2015-04-10 17:29:19 +0000 UTC; Views: 33469; Favourites: 469; Downloads: 636
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Description I was asked to create a tutorial on my line art techniques by the lovely people over at Autodesk's Sketchbook team for a series of tutorials they're currently publishing, so here it is folks, my first attempt at a tutorial! (fanfare sounds, albeit only in my head...)

It's pretty wordy, so you may wanna make a sandwich or something. Apologies for the massive file as well! This is my first ever attempt at making something in depth like this, so please, be gentle with me folks...

The tutorial uses Sketchbook 7 and a Wacom Cintiq 12wx, but 90% of it can be applied to most digital art apps and tablets. You can see the finished piece I created for this tutorial here: The Scavenger - Coloured

For more awesome Sketchbook tutorials, art and more, check out autodesk-sketchbook ! And don't forget to check out this month's Hero Challenge by the awesome talent, Kevin Mellon! You can find out more here: April Hero Challenge: Kevin Mellon .

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Don't forget, as well as here on DA, you can follow me for more art and mad ramblings if you're glutton for punishment on my Twitter and Tumblr blog !
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Comments: 43

Jenni41 [2017-03-15 20:01:55 +0000 UTC]

Thank-you for this tutorial! Great tips, particularly, the thicker lines when foreshortening!

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EzJedi In reply to Jenni41 [2017-04-05 10:04:14 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!

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LightBlue-Bunny [2016-06-01 02:26:22 +0000 UTC]

So my usually pixelated lines are because they are too thin? Or maybe I re-sized it unevenly?

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EzJedi In reply to LightBlue-Bunny [2016-06-05 08:59:57 +0000 UTC]

Most likely yes, it's probably a result of them being too thin to begin with. Just remember though, some people want an almost jagged sharpness to their lines. In fact I know several artists who actually apply sharpening masks in PS to enhance that look. Experimentation is key, then just work out what works for you! 

Sorry for the slow reply btw, I was travelling abroad.

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LightBlue-Bunny In reply to EzJedi [2016-06-05 16:29:59 +0000 UTC]

Oh, I'll live. Thanks a lot, I'll experiment with the lines the next time i do something digital.

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EzJedi In reply to LightBlue-Bunny [2016-06-05 18:26:50 +0000 UTC]

Good luck with your dabbling! 

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Zantique [2016-04-22 14:17:46 +0000 UTC]

Thanks I hope that this helps me improve my line art.

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EzJedi In reply to Zantique [2016-04-22 17:57:14 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome! 

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AshlynTrikel [2016-01-17 09:23:49 +0000 UTC]

Welp, I have an old version of sketchbook pro on my tablet, so many things are different there. It still helped me here and there. Thanks for this tutorial!

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EzJedi In reply to AshlynTrikel [2016-01-17 14:18:48 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome. I'm glad you could still find some use in it!  

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Astrarea [2015-12-15 22:55:49 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a bunch for the tutorial! Btw, I have a question. How do you make the artwork or like this, a tutorial, in a long panel form? I use Autodesk on my tablet and I've tried to make a comic strip before, but I don't know you can make it in this size and high quality. Can you send me some tips, please?

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EzJedi In reply to Astrarea [2015-12-15 23:08:59 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad it was useful! 

I'm afraid to say that this tutorial wasn't put together using SketchBook, as it isn't really an app suited to editorial work like this (especially type heavy stuff), so I can't really comment on that! What I will say is that the desktop version I use (Sketchbook Pro 7 on OSX) doesn't have any size limitations that I'm aware of, as long as your system has the horsepower to handle the large size. Sorry, I realise that doesn't really help you a great deal!  

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Gh0stlyPegasus [2015-08-19 03:25:37 +0000 UTC]

hm i have a tablet and it looks different. But these are very good tips ill try them out on my tablet thanks X) ive been doing sketches instead of real drawings real hard

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EzJedi In reply to Gh0stlyPegasus [2015-08-19 08:20:12 +0000 UTC]

Well, everyone's technique, canvas size, brush size etc probably differs slightly. All those factors will affect the final appearance of the lines, but it's just about using these general tips to find what works for you. That and practice, practice and practice some more! It definitely doesn't click overnight. When I first got my tablet my early efforts looked bloody awful frankly! I'm still trying to get to a point where I'm happy with my work now and probably always will be!  

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REY-HAN [2015-05-17 01:04:59 +0000 UTC]

Nice one!

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EzJedi In reply to REY-HAN [2015-05-17 01:57:34 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, glad you liked it!  

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ssjgirl [2015-05-09 13:31:38 +0000 UTC]

Finally! I've been looking forever for your tutorial and now I found it again. :> I'm gonna try this out on my desktop version. Trying to make good line-art on an ipad (even with a wacom styles) sucks. Love this!

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EzJedi In reply to ssjgirl [2015-05-09 14:07:07 +0000 UTC]

Yeah despite my best efforts I just can't adapt to doing finished quality lines and such on a mobile or tablet. They're great for sketching ideas etc, but when it comes to finished art I have to be at my desk! Hope you find it useful!

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ssjgirl In reply to EzJedi [2015-05-09 16:21:41 +0000 UTC]

I find it incredibly useful. The piece I'm working on is turning out gorgeous (lol, if I may say so myself). I suppose the difference is that the max canvasses I've worked on is 2000 x 2000 ~ish and so the effect of crisp brushes is kind of lost. I had to say I was kinda in shock when I followed your steps, because at 4000 x 4000 a 12px brush looks really ugly and fuzzy. But then I zoomed out and I saw the difference it made. Heh.

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EzJedi In reply to ssjgirl [2015-05-09 20:48:04 +0000 UTC]

That's great, I'm glad it's been helpful for you! Messing around with canvas vs brush size vs resolution I'm sure you'll find a balance you're comfortable with. Have fun finishing what you're working on!  

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BjoernSiebolds [2015-04-18 09:50:11 +0000 UTC]

Nice tutorial!

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EzJedi In reply to BjoernSiebolds [2015-04-18 10:19:30 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, I hope you find it useful!

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BjoernSiebolds In reply to EzJedi [2015-04-18 16:02:00 +0000 UTC]

Yep!

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wabea [2015-04-13 08:29:06 +0000 UTC]

Well done and great tips!  

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EzJedi In reply to wabea [2015-04-13 08:31:39 +0000 UTC]

Thanks buddy!

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Inkshe [2015-04-11 07:39:56 +0000 UTC]

This is awesome!  Thanks for the great tutorial!    Here I come improvement!

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EzJedi In reply to Inkshe [2015-04-11 07:50:14 +0000 UTC]

Hehe, thank you. I hope it helps you!

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chateaugrief [2015-04-10 21:18:48 +0000 UTC]

great tutorial, thanks!  dagnabbit, that's my problem, resolution isn't high enough...

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EzJedi In reply to chateaugrief [2015-04-10 21:42:05 +0000 UTC]

Working big really does make quite a difference. Good luck experimenting!

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JosephMorrison [2015-04-10 20:40:19 +0000 UTC]

Wow love it I will have an in depth read tommorrow and try it out. Thanks man.

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EzJedi In reply to JosephMorrison [2015-04-10 20:46:27 +0000 UTC]

Thanks dude! It's less of a step by step tutorial, rather a collection of advice on how I make my lines clean and crisp. But I hope you still find it a useful read!

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JosephMorrison In reply to EzJedi [2015-04-10 20:52:33 +0000 UTC]

👍

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SKILLZ001 [2015-04-10 20:35:51 +0000 UTC]

GREAT TUTORIAL!

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EzJedi In reply to SKILLZ001 [2015-04-10 20:46:52 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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LunaClefairy [2015-04-10 19:44:45 +0000 UTC]

This is a great tutorial! I'll try to keep some of this in mind the next time I draw. Although I'm still not very good compared to a lot of other people...

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EzJedi In reply to LunaClefairy [2015-04-10 20:33:19 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! I hope it helps you in some way. Just practice, practice, practice, it may take some time but you'll get there!

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griffinator [2015-04-10 19:16:08 +0000 UTC]

Nice tutorial man! Love the design and Ian's top tips!

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EzJedi In reply to griffinator [2015-04-10 19:25:01 +0000 UTC]

Haha, thanks buddy. I do a top tips life edition too, featuring such gems as: 'never respond, "yes darling, it does make you look a little frumpy".'

This thing could run and run...

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griffinator In reply to EzJedi [2015-04-12 19:56:14 +0000 UTC]

Truly you are an endless font of knowledge and wisdom!

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EzJedi In reply to griffinator [2015-04-12 21:11:56 +0000 UTC]

I know right? The depth of my worldly understanding knows no bounds...  

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griffinator In reply to EzJedi [2015-04-13 15:08:56 +0000 UTC]

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AliceSacco [2015-04-10 17:59:47 +0000 UTC]

I'm trying to learn to draw lines in all direction without turning the paper, but I don't see improvements, I wonder why.

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EzJedi In reply to AliceSacco [2015-04-10 18:55:55 +0000 UTC]

Hehe, it's not so bad when drawing small. But turning it is a must to get cleaner longer lines that fill the page! Good luck!

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