6 Habits for Good Line Quality

As artists, line quality plays a crucial role in our drawings. Developing good habits early on ensures that our artwork leaves a strong impression. In this lesson, we discuss 6 habits to help you achieve good line quality. You’ll learn how to avoid the common mistakes, find a comfortable speed, follow-through, ghost in your lines, rotate the paper, and use simple strokes. Remember to practice these habits while sketching, and check out the full Drawing Basics course at proko.com/drawing for more in-depth lessons, projects, and demonstrations.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:56 - Avoid the Common Mistakes
02:20 - Find the Comfortable Speed
03:36 - Follow Through
04:38 - Ghosting
06:46 - Rotate the Paper
08:16 - Use Simple Strokes
09:25 - Outro
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ABOUT PROKO:
Instructional How to Draw videos for artists. My drawing lessons are approachable enough for beginners and detailed enough for advanced artists. My philosophy is to teach timeless concepts in an entertaining way. I believe that when you are having fun, you learn better. I take pride in producing high-quality videos that you will enjoy watching and re-watching.
CREDITS:
Artist | Instructor - Stan Prokopenko (www.stanprokopenko.com)
Producer - Stan Prokopenko, Sean Ramsey (www.peoplewhodrawstuff.com),
Script - Stan Prokopenko, Tiffanie Mang (tiffaniemang.com/)
Production Assistance - Stephen Clark (www.peppermintgentleman.com , Sean Ramsey, Charlie Nicholson
Editing - Hongju Lim (www.hongjulim.com/, Sean Ramsey, Stan Prokopenko
Publishing - Alex Otis, John Birchall
Music Used with Permission
Intro - The Freak Fandango Orchestra
Additional music by Epidemic Sound

[@ProkoTV]

If these 6 habits helped you out, imagine how much more you’ll improve if you get the premium course ;) proko.com/drawing

[@amd.8627]

Too poor😔😭😢

[@olavpettersen9465]

Can't afford it, unfortunately.

[@bhaskar4709]

Wanted to join this course but it is too expensive for me

[@MrBilydon]

Will have to save money for it (yes I live in latin America and will take me several months for it)

[@davidlewis4013]

Have u had a public conversation yet with Steven Zapata following ur podcast and his thesis on Ai which u later added a disclaimer about within ur podcast?

[@grayblur2590]

I feel this guy is very kind, patient, cool, and considerate to those who are beginners in drawing. You're my favorite art channel in YT

[@ProkoTV]

Thank you!

[@reelkyrie]

❤

[@JH-pe3ro]

Missing: warm up with blind contours. When you draw without looking at the paper you have to draw by feel, which makes you pay a lot of attention to how you position yourself and the tool. This is what every piece of advice to "feel the line" actually means - literally feeling the pressure and friction of the mark.

[@lixd3054]

Thank you. You're awesome!👾

[@mg-ThisHandleIsSoStupid]

Blind contour is great for people who can't draw and need to be up some confidence

[@VincentVaIentine]

I appreciate not slapping music in the back when you started explaining, I have a hard time focusing and I might listen to the music instead or have a difficulty concentrating on what you're saying, and your voice volume and just everything is perfect for me to listen and learn. Much appreciated.

[@ZZealot]

This channel is priceless, been drawing for 25 years and my crappy drawings are turning at least 50% better since i started to follow Proko, it's like infomercial product type results but real 😅😊

[@dameanvil]

00:00 🎨 Artists use lines for various purposes, from early-stage placeholders to guiding the eye in final drawings. 00:26 🚫 Poor line quality can negatively impact a drawing and form bad habits if not addressed early on. 01:07 📝 Differentiate between brain-dumping lines and lines for presentable drawings to develop attractive line quality. 02:18 🖋️ Practice drawing with tapered strokes at a comfortable speed, aiming for fluidity, relaxation, and confidence. 03:42 ⚾ Follow through with your hand after each stroke to improve accuracy and impart energy to the line. 04:53 🌬️ Ghosting lines-practice the motion without making a mark-to achieve clean, confident strokes. 06:58 🔄 Identify natural and awkward angles for drawing lines; rotate the paper or adjust your posture accordingly. 08:23 📏 Utilize simple strokes like C curves, S-curves, and straights for constructing complex lines, enhancing accuracy and fluidity.

[@heatheredwards7158]

Short, scratchy lines? That’s me. I was just thinking, “I think I should break this habit.” And lo and behold- Proko is here to help! Thank you!

[@zondwhomlovesjesus8444]

God bless you, Yeshua loves you!

[@eddamonsta]

Yes, try to break that habit ASAP lol I've been breaking it for about couple months now And I love sketching even more now Clean lines ! Practice and more practice

[@sword6813]

Short scratchy lines are also called chicken lines which amuses me but it also ruined chicken for the rest of my life

[@sword6813]

Yay Proko is fun

[@LillianGraceFullofficial]

True

[@BATMAN10N]

Proko my favourite and the best teacher

[@aeea3306]

No Proko is human

[@thinkbetter5286]

Yay

[@KenSan1414]

I recommend you Naoki Saito's channel, very useful tips about drawing too :)

[@aforart7316]

"Dont move your hand faster than your brain can think"

[@normalmaksym8738]

So not move at all?

[@ipromiseimtrying]

​@@normalmaksym8738 0.0001 nanoseconds per day

[@saint037]

bold of you to assume my brain can think

[@_babido]

Easy S tier art education channel, truly phenomenal that we get to have this quality of information for free! Thank you Proko!

[@CPTkeyes317]

Having just started a 28 day Figuary with croquis cafe after too long not daily drawing, i found myself so frustrated with my ability to convey what i can see; my ability has degraded! Time to get back at it. This community is wonderful because it is full of all levels of artists , and full of encouragement. "Keep your hand moving" just keep at it y'all! Every line drawn is one step closer to our goals :)

[@LadanArt_Studio]

Every line drawn is one step closer to our goals :) What a beautiful sentence💚👍

[@prakashchand7675]

Your videos are always so helpful and fascinating!

[@isaacsamuel7517]

I watched your video on improving straight lines in art. And then i actually tried it. And then my art has improved.

[@sunshine1004]

i like how you voice, draw, and even ACT the lessons/messages in your videos! it's very engaging and fun to watch :D

[@garrettviewegh677]

I’d say I’m more of an intermediate level of artist. Took art classes for a few years, and have been drawing and painting for four years now. Just recently getting into digital art with my first digital tablet: a Huion. Love these videos though, great refresher. No matter what skill level, if one hasn’t drawn for awhile, usually it comes back with repetition and muscle memory. But I’ve found it always helps to go back and retouch on the basics and fundamentals. Great content.

[@L0locube]

every new artist should see this

[@ilikechorizopizza0]

The hardest technique from this video for me right now is ghosting. I’ll add it to my daily exercises list from now on! Thank you Proko!!

[@apresmidi153]

Great video! Actually made me feel better about the way I draw...Gotta say I'm glad you mentioned Kopinski and the others as they are big influences and I sometimes feel like a lot of drawings I see these days are almost too clean to be believable.

[@truebornjester8703]

Thank you Proko. your content is amazing

[@theundead1600]

Rotate your paper is very important. I learned this from my grade school art teach 40 years ago. My 10 year old self being a lefty had issues with getting good lines. He was super helpful. This one thing has always been a big help. And now with apps like procreate rotation is easy.

[@squashoo5506]

Thank you for providing high quality art education to the world! :3

[@Jay-vr1mz]

Just finished a piece and as happy as I am with it I also see so many mistakes with it, this video is exactly what I needed!💪

[@pandemoniumeris]

This is the type of tips I've been looking for! All tutorials I have seen to help improve line quality just says to practice, but not exactly how to practice.

[@Thenamesveronica]

Thank you so much for your videos. They’ve helped me so much throughout the years.

[@coreyholt8522]

Thanks for always being an amazing teacher!

[@artmila6458]

This is amazing ! Thank you so much ! I can't believe it, it's such a simple tip but how much my art has changed, right after the video I tried it and I'm shocked, I draw much better !!!!.

[@Hotchpotchsoup]

Been drawing all my life, but those are good things to practise and keep in mind. It's also important to try new material or techniques. Learn by the "rules" but when you create your own art don't box yourself in with those rules, they're more like tools. I dunno why I'm writing all this.... 🤔 most people probably know all this. Cool vid tho! 👍

[@antonioblanco3086]

Thank you so much Proko! Very helpful!

[@spookyspells8361]

AMAZING! very comprehensive and easy to follow

[@lumisis1943]

Thank you. Seriously these are the best advises i have heard on 20 years.

[@weeaboonugs1815]

this video just changed my life. using arm drawing revealed to me something I never understood I was doing wrong. my handwriting literally improves by using my arm for writing over my wrist. THANK YOU SO MUCH. MY DRAWING HAS IMPROVED DRASTICALLY WITHIN HOURS. ACTUALLY A MAGIC TRICK

[@charachangoo]

Thank you for providing high quality art education video~~ 1. 잔선 너무 많이 긋지 마라 (Avoid the Commone Mistakes) 2.. 편안한/적절한 속도를 찾아라 (Find that Comfortable Speed) 3. 필압을 응용해라(힘조절을 통해 연한선과 진한 선을 자유롭게 사용할 것)(Follow Through) 4. 곡선을 그릴 때 필요한 부분 이외에도 공중에 이어서 무빙을 줘라(투명선을 그려라)or실선으로 형태를 잡고 굵은 선으로 그려라(Ghosting) 5.캔버스를 돌려서 편안한 자세로 예쁜 선을 그려라(Rotate the Paper) 6.C컬/S컬/직선 3가지 간단한 형태의 짧은 선으로 대상을 그려라(여러 짧은 선을 이어서 큰 형태를 잡아가라)(Use simple Stroke)

[@speedbagboxer7451]

“Searching lines” would be ok for a gesture drawing. To capture movement or to give the art a certain energy. Also it would only really be useful in the beginning stages of the drawing. But ultimately those lines will need to get cleaned up so I see why you used that as an example of what not to do generally speaking.

[@mg-ThisHandleIsSoStupid]

A lot of artists don't clean them up and they are part of the finished drawing. They are the best part.

[@speedbagboxer7451]

@@mg-ThisHandleIsSoStupid Art is subjective and so it’s a stylistic choice. A matter of personal preference… But generally speaking those lines get cleaned up for finished work.

[@NasirKnox1213]

the best art channel i watch. it’s amazing one of three

[@thedwighty]

Great explanations, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@spectral_laughter]

Timing could not have possibly been better, I'm taking drawabox and the lines were absolutely whooping my ass. Thank you Stan!

[@hannomazzurana9809]

Thank you! Great advice.

[@aquaintsound]

Because i paint miniatures, I haven't been using my whole arm to draw lines! This helped set off some lightbulbs in my brain, thank you!

[@falcongreens2570]

You are an amazing teacher.

[@LeeRoyAshworth]

Nice video thank you, some of these I have noticed started happening by its self but seeing this could have decreased the time it took to learn. I am new to your channel and space and really enjoy the content, thank you again.

[@user-uo2lh3fj1i]

Thanks for some of your lessons free it really helps

[@90Legend]

I've came back to this video to say THANK YOU. your "find the speed for the brain" shit that you said really changed everything for me I was counting the days since I've started and it took me 6 days to be 100% sure that the problem was with the lines. I thought I'm just bad or there is something wrong with the pencil or sketchbook 😅 But that wasn't the case

[@Tightrope_Wlkr]

Hey! Been a long time follower and was super jazzed to see you in a Vox video recently!! That’s all. Also, thanks for everything you do and have done. You’re truly a treasure 😊

[@moeaung31]

Thanks. Very helpful tutorial for beginner.

[@ministerofjoy]

Thank you so much Proko

[@aldanasjuan]

Brooo, this improved my drawing like instantly. I appreciate it and I will consider paying for the whole course now haha thanks!

[@jayaram322]

Great! Thank you !Proko 😍🎨

[@anasbakhit4303]

actually my big brother have told me about these tricks since I was 12 or something and I'm still using them to this day 😊 although I never used to draw shapes to get that 3D prospectives until like 2018, I used to just went straight drawing whatever I wanted lol! but it did improve my prospectives of making a 3D views.

[@nazuna8826]

ive been drawing and do commissions for like 4yrs and i think i really need this channel lol

[@bearthaketjijere379]

thanks proko i might need these lessons

[@artfuldrawing]

Analyzing and learning from other artists help broaden your artistic perspective

[@daltonthedemon]

Always a delight learning new information that you've been wanting to get at at some point in time. But you know how life is.😅

[@ranzomega]

Just yesterday I started to break in a new display tablet-- and I am indeed making lots of short and scratchy lines as I'm trying to get used to it. Great timing for this video and awesome tips. Thank you!

[@Rohit_K777]

Thanks for this informative video 🥰

[@mlodygryros]

You're goated for this man, thanks a bunch!

[@doug9418]

A very intuitive lesson, ty

[@povertymidas]

Appreciate the explanations!

[@Aldeonmoriak]

Wow, I had some drawings of Karl Kopinski some years back but I didn't know the artist of them. Now I know. Thank you

[@Predaaator]

Thank you Proko.

[@user-ji9od1of7l]

thank you very much proko, funny how i was just scrolling through the videos and i found your video ...i really loved how you give out the detailed information .....i will try out your tips sir, and look for more videos made by you, and once again thank you Proko ❤😅

[@Fallsfeel]

Very nice presentation!✨

[@xXlizamaXx]

0:27 it goes without saying that this works on every aspect of yourself you can make an habit of, not just art, it's a good thing to keep in mind on your daily life :)

[@Forge330]

Very helpful! You earned my sub!

[@renrenTube]

Thank you proko..it's helpfull..

[@candaceflynn]

Thank you very much ❤❤❤

[@squatchie1376]

This really helped me out 😊

[@faellee360]

these are great advices to people studying to be tattoo artists as well

[@aforart7316]

An Excellent video, thankyou!

[@sketchinsquad]

Good tips every artist should know thank you 🙏

[@MezGaming-zp5ei]

Thank you brother!!

[@hoangmanh1557]

thank you very much

[@MesayAbe]

Proko is awesome!!!,Proko Please make us more KZbin free basics videos,it's helpful for us who can't join the full online courses,🙏 🙏🙏

[@Dead_MON5TER]

Thanks for this vid I learned something.

[@CS-jk1mt]

This is the most useful tutorial about line quality I've found so far!

[@ProkoTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@arrowheaded]

Very well represented video, thanks :)

[@m.i.n.t.3728]

Nice tips! Thanks!

[@Malay-kw1qs]

I love your advice thank you❤

[@joestahl9102]

Great tutorial ty ill look at all your videos

[@destinydraws8276]

I’m trying it out and it feels so much better :) yeah chicken scratches aren’t exactly everyone’s cup of tea unless that’s the intention. How do you prevent your hand from hurting after a while? And how do you train your arm to move along with where your hand and pencil wants to go when sketching though? And is it different when you’re using pen?

[@rajeshpillai2227]

Very good tips 👍🏻👏🏻

[@leadingauctions8440]

Thank you.

[@sangramchavan4816]

Thankyou so much ❤

[@lillym5116]

Thanks for advice

[@tristanmoran1291]

really helpful tips thank you also i love your voice!

[@promiseoduola6479]

Amazing class

[@owenhunter9916]

This is so helpful, thank you Proko

[@omgaming2084]

Really it helped me a lot😅

[@rezajamshidi8685]

Simply you are the best

[@roshnifernandes6811]

Oh man..i sure am the anxious artist..gonna try these to get better ❤

[@47shahzaib]

thankyou so much!

[@kikolektrique1737]

Tip: Make sure when ghosting to put your hand on the paper. Do not hover your hand but your pen. This gives you more control when making the marks

[@CS-jk1mt]

Shouldn't you make the movement all that way from the shoulder, which means not putting your hand on the paper?

[@v4mp16are]

thank you!

[@lucianonevesvfx]

Love your video tutorials !!! The best!!!!

[@ProkoTV]

Thank you!

[@lucianonevesvfx]

@@ProkoTV you are very welcome!

[@Ryu_Official01]

Thank a lot

[@user-sg2vq1bg4e]

Inspired ❤❤❤

[@shivamSinghskeches]

Thank you

[@saliuarts]

I like the way u used that baseball example

[@wallmartdragonlink2513]

This is literaly what i needed and my biggest problem with drawing i an either too fast or too slow

[@Night-sorour]

I never watched your long form videos, so I never knew how useful they are, wow This is only the first video I've seen, and I feel like my brain just got injected with so much informations and knowledge, and I'm so inspired and full of uhh, this word that I forgot I guess it was passion but I'm not sure what passion even mean so ANYWAYS just thought that this video was GREAT and I'll definitely be taking advice for it in my practice and always give credit to who I'm learning from💕

[@ProkoTV]

I'm glad you're giving the longer videos a watch and that you found something for you in there!

[@AmitKapatiaArt]

Thanks!