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Topic : "Line and brush stroke quality- ADVICE NEEDED" |
Jimmyjimjim
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Joined: 12 Dec 2002
Posts: 459
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 Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2003 2:36 pm |
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I have a nagging question I would love answered.
I see many examples of extremely fine-quality work around here. Quite frankly I'm astounded by the smooth lines and intricate detail achieved by some of the people around here.
Whenever I'm doing a PSD painting, I can never seem to achieve the smooth lines that some others make look so easy. I'm a fairly accomplished traditional painter and I have no problem with a steady hand. However, when I'm painting in Photoshop with my WACOM, it looks like I've had too much caffine. Shaky lines always seem to be a problem.
I've always felt that using layers and the lasso tool would be "cheating". Am I passing up the very same technique that enables you guys to do what you're doing? Where would I want to use paths and the lasso tool (if I should at all)? Perhaps there is a pen sensitivity setting that I should turn down? I'd love to know the trick if it's not just a hand-eye dexterity issue.
Thanks in advance for advice. |
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AndyT
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Joined: 24 Mar 2002
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Location: Germany
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| Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2003 3:33 pm |
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You should not hesitate to use the selection and line tools. But you'd have to try if it helps you. It's difficult to control these tools IMO.
Hope the text Ian Jones usually posts helps.
| Ian Jones wrote: |
Here are a few related solutions. for those of you who are wondering.. yes I usually copy+paste this from a word document.
Working Size:
Depending on the output of your final illustration, the size you should work at needs to be at least 150% larger than the intended final measurements. This means you will be able to shrink the image down when finished, effectively ironing out any minor mistakes and allowing you to work on smaller details because of your larger / zoomed in canvas. This is a common practice in traditional illustration where �finished art� is usually done at �half up� size.
Straight Lines:
To draw perfectly straight lines with any of the brush tools, simply make a mark at your starting point, then hold down shift and make the end mark of the line. Photoshop will draw a straight line between these points with whichever brush you have selected. To continue drawing more connecting straight lines just press shift again.
Accurate shapes:
To draw a shape with straight lines and sharp corners, like a triangle for example, just make a selection with the Polygonal Lasso tool, set to point by point mode. Then paint in the selection. Other shapes with curves can be done using the pen tool. Draw your shape with the pen tool. You can move the bezier handles around to create a smooth curve if you like. Goto the Paths pallete when you have your shape. Hold down ctrl, and left click on the path in the paths pallete. This will load a selection of that path shape, which you can use to paint within or you can add a stroke to use it for creating an outline.
There's probably something in there that'll help you. Using paper on the surface is a common solution, however it does wear down the pen nib a little faster (but you have plenty of spares).
More confident strokes, more practice will both help. Most important of all though is that noone can get totally smooth lines so don't kill yourself trying. Even Craig Mullins has rough edges. The key to avoiding the jitters is to work at a large resolution and size it down ready for printing or whatever at the end. As explained above this is a common technique.
Hope that helps. |
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Jimmyjimjim
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Joined: 12 Dec 2002
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| Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2003 4:56 pm |
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Thanks, that helps alot. I never really considered the upsizing, don't know why.
I'll give it a shot. |
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FONGOOL
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Joined: 07 Feb 2003
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2003 7:23 pm |
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There is no "cheating", use whatever tools it takes to get the look you want.
Other than copy/pasting other people's work, of course...  |
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