All I know is that. Whenever I attempt lineart. It ends horribly and it takes way too long (much longer than I assume most people manage lineart in) =/

I have no idea how to make it look nice. >___>

It either looks way too sketchy, or way too undetailed. Any tips?

How are you drawing? Digitally or traditionally?

Either way, yes I have tips but I have to get ready for work now so I'll come back later ;w;

Paint tool SAI have great tool for linearts if you're drawing in computer

I use a wacom bamboo tablet, using paint tool SAI :3. So, digitally, I suppose! If I'm drawing traditionally, a different problem appears wherein it ends up looking either too messy, or the paper becomes too thin and the surface uneven or somewhat discoloured where I've rubbed out numerous times.

^~^ Thank you! :3 I already use it- and... >____< I still find my lineart atrocious. I'm not entirely sure how/why, since it looks alright on paper. =/ I've heard mention of a so called lineart layer before, but have never been able to find it. >.>

Well for traditionally try to sketch very lightly, so when/if you need to erase you don't damage the paper. Try practicing drawing without allowing yourself to erase as well, it strengthens your ability to plan ahead and adapt and you'll eventually be able to cut down on your erasing.

I find you get more control if you sketch lighter, as you don't have to put so much effort into holding the pencil. Try to avoid using very soft pencils, HB or 2H are often suggested for sketching.

Try and get some decent art pens, or at least a fine (0.3 maybe) ballpoint with good flow, pen and paper quality can effect the flow of your lines -- that doesn't mean you necessarily need to spend a lot, particularly on paper, as printer paper is usually very smooth.

For long lines try to draw continuously and quickly, the slower you go the more likely your hand will shake or jump, look to where you want to be going, not where you are. Top: slow looking at tip of pen (or brush symbol in this case) Bottom: fast looking at where I want to end up

For smaller details, slow down, use a finer pen/brush. For harder edges use a thicker pen/brush. Varying your line thickness adds depth and interest to the image, it also breaks it up to make it easier for the eye to read. Heavier lines in the foreground and lighter ones in the background give depth of field and dynamism. 5px brush -v- 3,4,5px brushes If your tablet has pressure sensitivity play around with the settings until you find something that works for you =3 The same can be done traditionally, though you may need to switch pens, or go back over the lines more than once.

Digitally you have a lot more freedom, because if you draw a sketchy line you can just erase it, but it's worth practicing not drawing in a sketchy fashion. Pencil sketching and inking are very different styles of movement, one is quick and exploratory, the other is precise. You're not figuring out the sketch with your pen, that's already been done, just follow the lines as continuously as possible and break at sensible points e.g. a corner, not in the middle of a line.

As for speed, I really wouldn't worry about it. We all start off slower and get faster the more we do something, that's just part of life, focus on technique and speed will take care of itself.

The lineart layer isn't a thing in and of it's self, you create that in your program. In Photoshop is the little rectangle with the corner folded over at the bottom right. this allows you to draw on a different layer to your sketch and to toggle off/on a layer as you like without effecting the rest of the image.

Oh! I see! ^~^ Thank you so much! ;^^ I might try out photoshop sometime- it looks intriguing! :3

took random screenshot of SAI on google xD there you can find lineart layer i'm using "curve" tool because i'm drawing with a mouse, dunno which of them are good for tablet drawing >w> on deviantART you can find lots of tutorials for this ^^

T-that is... that is... I... how... I don't... why...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

D= it was sitting there all that time! T-T

Q.Q Thank you, darling!

there was such a good tutorial on how to do line art but they took it down!! luckily i still use the method so hopefully i can explain it what i do after my sketch is go to canvas -> image size then change my image size bigger ex : if i was sketching on a 1000x1000 i would make it 2000x2000 or 3000x3000 and once youre done line arting (if that's a word) you change it back to 1000x1000 or whatever the original size was and your lines should come out smooth c:

Lineart takes me forever. It's the longest part of the process for me, but I think it gets better the more you do it! It's just so permanent, or it seems that way. You can always go back and change things, though, even if it's a bit of a hassle.

whoa that actually seems like a super good idea. I'll have to try that out sometime!

I tend to just clean up my sketches, or lineart right on the same layer in a darker color and erase what I don't want. It's all really finding a type of brush that works well with your style!

Line art can take aaaages. It really depends on what level of detail you're attempting and what style you're using, and how used to drawing line art you are. Finding a brush that suits your style of line art is really important, too. I personally use an edited version of Verceri's brush settings, because they work really well for me.

Here's a video that talks about line art, it's about traditional drawing but you can apply all these tips to digital art too (Will Terrell's videos in general are pretty good); http://youtu.be/8tX7y9mu-lM

In my experience, about 4000 years.

If it looks too 'sketchy' I recommend doubling the size of your piece before doing the lineart, then shrinking everything back down once you're finished. Also try to get in the habit of making smooth, continuous lines instead of jerky ones, but that takes time and practice.

I know of a really good tutorial for this actually! [here!]