Aug 2016
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Aug 2016
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heterodont
Aug '16

it takes time to get used to a new tablet, especially if it's smaller than your old one (considering your previous thread)

you can use stabilizer if the art program of your choice has it but you can ''train'' out chickenscratching by doing line exercises which is p much just making lines of various lengths and trying to get them as parallel as possible, putting down two dots and trying to connect them with just a single line swoop, filling up a page of ellipses, etc. Here's a tumblr photoset20 listing a variety of said exercises

Rabbit
Aug '16

You need to have the stabilizer very hi up ;u; Everyone does, trust me.
Also it is something that gets better with time. I was recently looking at the first chapter of my comic, and I was really surprised to see how bad the line-art was XD It's much smoother and more fluid now, even though I didn't notice the improvement at all!
So don't underestimate practice!
I also have an Intous, and it works great with me? Maybe you'll just get used to it. Though I admit, my tablet is the only tablet I've ever used, so I wouldn't know if it's really stiff or not XO

scythe
Aug '16

I don't use a stabilizer and my line art is pretty straight. It's just a practise thing. If you're getting shaky lines, are you drawing with your wrist? If so, you need to be drawing from the elbow or shoulder, as in, your wrist should be pretty damn stiff while you're inking. Also, maybe try slightly faster movements? That in itself should lessen the shakes.

J.Z.Castillo
Aug '16

I work without a stabilizer, and even though my lines ain't the greatest, they're pretty alright. You just have to practice a whole bunch! I remember when I first got my tablet everything was horrible hahaha, but you get better the more you use it!

carloswebcomic
Aug '16

I've been drawing digitally for over 10 years and I can't get rid of the hand shake.
Digital drawing is a lot twitchier than pen and paper.
Use the stabiliser. It's a tool that's there for a reason and it will make your life a lot easier.

Shanny8
Aug '16

My line work is still kind of sketchy & wobbly overall- but I can at least sustain a decent enough stroke to make figures. The more you push yourself to draw/ink with your tablet, you'll become better.

mariusthered
Aug '16

I use the curve ruler quite a lot to over come this problem

tip: sticky out your little finger while drawing you can use it as a guide to keep your lines straight, this take a little practice too.

Michelle
Aug '16

I use Lazy Nezumi8 to keep my lines from getting wobbly and weird, but they get like that because wacom tablets and Photoshop don't like to play nice.

Regarding tiny sketchy lines, you just need to keep practicing to build up line confidence. I find it easier to improve if you draw on a large sketchpad where you can make broader strokes. Try drawing in ink, too, so you're forced to be more intentional with your stroke decisions. I also recommend drawing more from the elbow, as drawing with the wrist often makes for shakier lines.

AnnaLandin
Aug '16

Practise. Lots and lots of practise.

Smoothness in lineart has a lot to do with confidence, which means putting in the practise will help! Getting used to the intuous will help too, but mostly it's putting in the practise to the point where you learn to stop worrying so much. Just open a new blank canvas and practise drawing lines with whatever tool you use for inking - and try to do longer lines! Breaking a habit is hard, so you have to put some conscious effort into it.

Also, it helps to move your whole arm when you draw, instead of just your wrist. When you're drawing a long arcing line, try to move your entire forearm from your elbow on down, instead of just moving your wrist. It will help keep the line steady, and will also put less strain on your wrist.

punkarsenic
Aug '16

first of all - and this sounds silly - try breathing exercises and stretches before you draw. make your body relaxed and loose to prevent shaking.

also, try drawing with your whole arm, not just your wrist - lift your arm from the table/paper/whatever and move your whole arm

zoom in or out and see how it effects your line

a typography trick that could help is to pull curved lines, and push straights.

aaaand thats all i got

miseryhunting
Aug '16

Is it weird I just hear about this stabilizer? What is it exactly and is everyone using it?

ameoname
Aug '16


Some drawing software has sliders for making your lines smoother. This is a screenshot form ClipStudio. The higher you set it the smoother your lines will get, but the less control you'll have over them. If you have your stabilization really high and wanted a certain curve in your line it will get straightened out.

My thoughts on tablets: I borrowed a cintique (screen to draw on) and it really did make it easier for me to draw lines. But then again I know a lot of people who are just fine with a normal tablet without a built-in screen. My line quality is so aweful that I stopped outlining all together XD Now I use only a lasso tool for everything but still remain a feeling of outlines. Some peoplehave an easier time with outlines and others with shapes. As soon as I realized I'm good at seeing shapes not lines I switched to the lasso tool and started blocking in my shapes and carving out shapes, leaving me with what my style is right now.
It really changed my life!

indagold
Aug '16

I use a freeware drawing program for lines and bump up a stabilizer to max because I have to deal with the fact I can never get good line quality just like I can never write words without them looking like a chicken pooped them out haha...

Shanny8
Aug '16

I keep my stabilizer on 5 coz anything more than that, and I'm fighting against the stabilizer when drawing curvy lines. 5 allows me to get some solid lines, and still be able to get the curves I that I need.

Endrenesk
Aug '16

Shaky hands/arms are good for backgrounds. Take Bob Ross's advice.

ameoname
Aug '16

@joannekwan Yup ^ö^ It's just way easier for me that way.

I heard about the two types of artists in a dreamworks interview about the art department. There they strictly classiefied their artists as "the line artsts" and "the painters". And they said, some artists have a better feeiling for shapes than lines, usually the painters, though you can be good at both of course. Since then I found numerous artists admitting they struggle with outlines and although they could've tried honing their skills, it was so mucheasier to them working with shapes that they abandoned traditional outlines. If you know the video game Metal Gear Solid's artists Yoji Shinkawa2, well he said something similiar in an interview. He said as soon as he took a brush in his hand it felt like a natural extension to his body. With pens it felt like scratching. So he listened to his instincts and stopped working with pens and what is typically percieved as outlines. But he still does have lines and a line quality right?

I just want to mention the possibility of exploring the full scope of possibilities here! Try out different tools and mediums. Find out who you are and embrace your unique talents ♥ It might take a while but it's easier when you don't work against your natural abilities.

spadesart
Aug '16

paint tool sai is great even if you're just importing it for lineart alone. it's really smooth and has a stabilizer so if you can't fix anything with your current program try sai.

theeternitycode
Aug '16

Same advice as other commenters. Sai has a great stabilizer and there are versions you can download free. I've always gotten great lines in comparison to programs like photoshop.