Lemma Soft Forums

Hey LSF! This might be a really basic question, but it's one I struggle with (along with jagged lines). I'm trying to improve my digital drawing skills and get used to using the tablet and various software. I tend to work with thicker lines for sketching, but also with inking because I find the thinner lines harder to see. Is there an easy/"cheat" way to edit the ink lines after they've been drawn to make them thinner? (I'm currently using GIMP, but I use Photoshop as well, so tips for either program would be appreciated) Or is the only option just to work with thinner ink lines from the start?

Here's the image (fanart) I'm working on with an example of the thick lines:

Only if you're using vector lines. Which you aren't. So, no.
You may want to invest in getting Paint Tool Sai, since you can do that sort of thing in linework layers with it.

No, the only thing you can do is thin it by hand or redraw. If you have a hard time with seeing the lines maybe you need to work bigger.

Thank you both for the replies! Desu_Cake, once I get my PC fixed, I think I will get SAI (I'm on a Mac laptop now).

You have to work thin to begin with. I often "draw" with the eraser tool. I use lots of light, sketchy marks to find the line I want, then erase to get the curve and taper I want. Work big - your lines will only appear thin when you shrink the image afterward - and if you look closely, even the drawings with the thinnest lines have tapering and line variation.

this is an old topic, but there is a way to thin your lines

just do a selection of all the white areas, then expand that selection by how many pixels you want to thin the art. then delete the selection! instant thinner lines

you can also originally work on a REALLY BIG canvas then scale to the appropriate size

bearsrcute wrote:you can also originally work on a REALLY BIG canvas then scale to the appropriate size

Agreed. If you draw in a really big canvas, the brush will seem thinner and smoother once you zoom out. I actually do this for my digital drawings because the lines seem more natural than deleting selections.

Also, I noticed you're using GIMP. Have you tried FireAlpaca? It has better brush quality, IMO.

If you do go back to Photoshop, https://gumroad.com/kyletwebster (primarily the drawing pack) and http://frenden.myshopify.com/products/p ... ng_brushes have some great brushes that, if you have a light touch can give you some lovely lines.

Working on a large canvas is your best bet, as at final resolution even the smallest brush settings tend not to be as delicate as you'd like. Shrinking down also gives you the bonus of smoothing your lines, something that is even more important with ultra skinny lines (as they tend to be less forgiving of wobbles than a thicker line etc)

Another thing that will help with delicacy is using coloured lineart. Pure black will always look harsher, but if you use something tinted to go with what you're lining (browns on skin and warm colours etc) that will soften the lines even more, which reads as them being even more delicate.

If you're having trouble seeing the lines, zoom in while you work. Just make sure to keep zooming back out to check things all work well together.