How to Draw Confident Lines - The Tapered Stroke

Tapered strokes are super important to create confident and visually appealing drawings. It’s a single movement of the hand that creates a line that's thicker in the middle and tapers to a point on both ends. There are two important ways to use tapered strokes: constructing complex lines and loose sketching. We'll dive into both methods and explore how to create clean, solid contours with tapered strokes while also adding intentional energy and momentum to your drawings. If you enjoy this lesson and want to learn even more about lines and other drawing fundamentals check out the premium course - proko.com/drawing
Find this lesson on proko.com for the lesson notes, community discussions, assignments, demonstrations and critiques - proko.com/718
00:00 - Intro
00:43 - Construct Complex Lines
01:48 - Loose Sketching
04:05 - Conclusion
RELATED LINKS:
Intro to Drawing Basics - • Intro to Drawing Basics
Ultimate Guide to Sketchbooks and Paper - • Ultimate Guide to Sket...
13 Types of Lines and How to Use Them - • 13 Types of Lines and ...
#linequality #linedrawing #drawingbasics
Subscribe to Proko: bit.ly/SubProko
Don't miss new tutorials - Hit the BELL!
Premium Videos - www.proko.com/store
Pose photo sets - www.proko.com/tools
FOLLOW PROKO:
Email Newsletter- www.proko.com/subscribe
Instagram - / stanprokopenko
Twitter - / stanprokopenko
Facebook - / prokotv
Tumblr - / stanprokopenko
Pinterest - / pins
WATCH MORE PROKO:
Latest Uploads: • Finger Drawing Mistake...
Figure Drawing: • How to Draw Gesture
Art of Caricature: • The Art of Caricature ...
Popular Videos: • How to Draw the Head f...
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]

Are you ready to overload your skull sponge with drawing fundamentals wisdom waffles? Join me in the premium course to participate in the projects, demos, and critiques - proko.com/drawing

[@MoonEditz009]

Hi pls reply

[@bchandra1896]

thanks sir, Tapered Stroke That drawing is useful for improvement.

[@gdl-nik]

You have Ukrainian surname. Are you Ukrainian or have parents from here? Just curious

[@dankeykang4576]

Nothing gets an artist motivated like seeing examples of Glen Keane's legendary line work

[@darkknight4353]

He is the goat

[@jacobthewells7927]

Darn right, Dankey Kang.

[@Pugetwitch]

That cocker spaniel was insane, is that from Lady and the tramp?

[@asimian8500]

It's very important to taper the end of the stroke. When you add the next stroke, it will look like one stroke *if you tapered the line* This is also one way to create smooth gradations using strokes (hatching).

[@jaylenney]

As a person who is already partly good at drawing, this simple line does improve your work. Such practice emanates the feelings and will help you become better than you are.

[@arc1184]

I didn't think I would learn so much from a short 5 minute video but I feel like this will change how I do sketches forever. More recently I think I've been 'accidentally' doing sketches more this way because I've started to loosen up a lot more (I used to think all lines had to be dark and bold) but what I learned from this video will help me to intentionally stay loose and sketch more effectively. Thanks Proko, I'm always surprised at just how much I learn from your videos 😄

[@omegaredtooth5104]

So glad you addressed the reason why the loose sketch can look better than the finalized drawing; that eluded me for years. Even just slightly accenting the thickness of the line on the shadow side can enhance the gesture and the life of the drawing. Great video!

[@Nickuro.56]

I really want to learn how to have confident line, So this helps me. Thank you very much! 😊

[@_Romer]

My 7th and 8th grade art teacher always, for 15 minutes every day, would have us to these warmups. He would give us 3 pieces of paper (so we don’t fill up our sketchbooks fast) and we would just draw lines and circles. That improves my art so dramatically I still do it every day. Never forget the fundamental lines and circles, because you’ll use them in every drawing.

[@TheAngelArrow]

you know, i've been practicing art on and off just to kill time and everytime i see a video from this guy it's like seeing a god at work, this dude is absurdly good compared to most people i often watch, he has the ability to teach all of these separate things in art and not just 1 portion of it, absolute legend, much respect for the grind you've put in

[@ScarletSky03]

wow i needed this. i've been trying to grasp this concept intuitively but having it explained and categorized makes me realize exactly how to focus practicing it.

[@gobuns2]

I always saw this line in all your instruction videos from before. this video popped up just as I was starting to use it in my own drawings, I now actually feel like my understanding and execution improves more easily with each drawing I make. It seemed like an uphill battle when using other types of lines for sketching.

[@blessedandbiwithahintofmagic]

This helps a lot! Thanks, Proko!

[@user-py9gl7ff9v]

Thank you you're a master in art

[@samespinosa9098]

thank you proko

[@berryzem]

They say to practice the fundamentals and I feel like this is going to help me level up for real. Thanks for the reminder ♥

[@Trid3nt861]

I remember learning this in Mike Mattesis Force videos. Its cool other people in the art field are talking about this!

[@springwater3723]

Same he uses the plane landing metaphor to show us how to do it😂

[@CraneStyleNJ]

This was much needed like wow. Im gonna try this!

[@thorneblackwood3834]

Grand máster proko. Thank for this.

[@greenlight04]

This video was really helpful! Loose sketches are actually a moving picture at one place. All those lines make the drawing look like its in motion and moving. For films the movement is sequentially. This video opened my mind, why loose sketches are looking full of energy and are more interesting than just a few lines.

[@lemonheart3210]

That was simply great. I hope more people will see this video. I also really liked that chair slide in the beginning and a subtle humor 😄

[@nicolemaddix4291]

Thanks Proko, I have always felt a little anxious when joining all lines so some times I would rather skip lines by using the hypotenuse. Your advice is duely noted as try to re-strengthen my left hand and become ambidextrous once more.😎🏁

[@darkone2114]

I need this because I am trying to improve in my drawing thank you.

[@rockintennis]

Thank you for saying loose sketches tend to look better than the finished product with clean lines! I crave the liveliness and energy my sketches contain, so I suppose I need to work more on getting my sketches even more expressive so the line work doesn’t appear dull in the end.

[@pamelasaralliartista]

Bravissimo come sempre! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@falcongreens2570]

Amazing advices as usual.

[@spacemonkeyfighter]

This is so helpful. Thanks.

[@vyacheslavklc5256]

Thank you, this is so necessary🥰🥰🥰

[@ilovelegos2000]

I needed this. I see why my drawings didn't have any fluidity in them. This was helpful. Thank you!

[@privatlukis]

Thanks Proko for the tutorial. We have the same hobby 🤝

[@shaileshapte8701]

Man you are awesome and a kind person.. thank you 🙏

[@wackinkrakens2721]

NEW proko AND I woke up with an idea?! Let's goooooo

[@FloatingSunfish]

Excellent lineart tip!

[@gwenhyfarbeati]

you know what i JUST realized, just now with this video? that the stunning lines in hair that i've tried and tried and failed to emulate are 90% more likely to be *several* tapered strokes combined than the single stroke i've been thinking they were. and even if they WEREN'T, i could likely emulate them better if *i* were to use several strokes instead of one.

[@ProkoTV]

Give it a try!

[@mal0702]

It's always amazing to see someone who draws complex curves with great line quality and they don't even rotate the drawing pad. Hope that I can one day draw as well as you do @Proko. Love your content!

[@ProkoTV]

Thank you so much 😀

[@misty-step]

This makes a lot of sense! Do you have any advice on how to achieve these lines and keep that look of energy when motion in the upper arm and shoulder isn't possible? Would you break these tapered lines even smaller since the range of physical motion is limited? Or is it better to try to apply these same concepts as best as you can? Thank you for all of the work you put into your videos, they are very helpful and motivating!

[@northstarearthstar]

This is great ty!!!❤️

[@mudassarliaquatmalik6618]

Thank you

[@thekorv95]

Good stuff Stan!

[@gsdls]

I love this!

[@mademoiselle71]

Please also make monthly subscription courses. The current premium courses are too expensive for me. Too bad I really wanted to learn from these courses. Love your work!!

[@l_3216]

my stroke game fire now, thanks dr proko

[@KillerTacos54]

Great video!!

[@shuvoDhar.5537]

Very helpful ❤❤❤❤

[@is_this_the_real_life_or]

Thanks ❤

[@feeedir-yd3ho]

wow! omg thank you!

[@fatmat4747]

Another proko banger

[@thelookbackmachine]

Thanks!

[@bchandra1896]

thanks sir, Tapered Stroke That drawing is useful for improvement.

[@canalprotagonistasbrasil3942]

Fantastic!

[@canalprotagonistasbrasil3942]

Mr. Proko congratulations for offering us a work of excellent quality. Hug!

[@baguy_1808]

Very cool ✨✨❤️

[@pianoatthirty]

"the loose drawings look better than the clean versions" - a resounding YES.

[@MiketheNerdRanger]

I came here to learn a single stroke, left learning a long missing puzzle piece. Definitely gonna give this a try.

[@lmvarts8683]

Super ❤❤

[@Mr.HotDogShirtGuy]

Why didn’t anyone teach me this when I was younger??? 😂 Thanks, Stan!

[@Mr.Architecture]

It was a very interesting video, my dear friend, I hope you will always be successful

[@merovechernst]

your a legend

[@Cannedidea]

This was probably the best advice for a doodler like me 😂

[@MTart96]

I love a good stroke

[@fandeandreaarruti]

Stan thanks for the example with your car, haha.

[@davidci]

I have trouble doing tapered strokes, not because I can't confidently do lines or cannot make long strokes, but because no matter how confidently I try to do my linework, the beginning end of the line is not tapered

[@ProkoTV]

I ghost my lines in, doing the motion before I actually make a mark. Having that little bit of practice for the motion and the little bit of movement before and after the line actually starts can help a lot with that.

[@arknark]

@@ProkoTV I noticed that in the video, dancing around the page, pencil in hand!

[@JessiDeerSims]

Light press, heavier press, lighter press

[@snerpletiger8761]

IS LIKE LEGOS. THE TAPER ON EACH END FIT TOGETHER TO MAKE FULL LINEZ. I GET IT

[@pankajzj]

that driving example is amazing 😂

[@drawingforce]

I use this in the FORCE drawing approach. you an think of skiing as well as a metaphor.

[@joolian4763]

Another tip I learned the hard way, please try to have good posture while drawing. Bad posture will strain your body quite quickly and it will impact your drawing ability. If you can, sit straight eyes forward or even just stand.

[@2dmajor999]

I would recommend Dead Hang's on a pull up bar, daily. This will prevent/reverse forward rounded posture. Every artist should Workout and keep especially an eye on their Glutes/Hamstring, Lower Traps, External Rotators, Core and Serratus anterior. I had to learn it the hardway.

[@NoWorries89]

So are tapered strokes and complex lines the same thing? Or do you use tapered strokes for loose sketches and then also use tapered strokes for the cleaner line image when you’re tracing? When would you not use tapered strokes? Sorry for my confusion.

[@ProkoTV]

You can use the tapered stroke for both the loose sketches and for the finished drawing. In the video, there's the example of me drawing the small cartoon turtle. The loose red pencil sketch and dark trace drawing over it are both done with tapered strokes. You wouldn't use a tapered stroke when doing technical drawings or when doing strict proportion measuring.

[@Animelover-lc6yr]

I'm early??? Ah man you are a mind reader exactly what I am practising after watching you yt short(I'm which you replied to me) I am improving my flow of line and understanding different lines(from one of your video) I am actually a engineer and practice industrial design but they usually miss the organic flow (I mostly do mecha) Your videos are a great help for me Could you possibly do a short on Or if someone can tell me How to cross hatch my drawing (or just provide some information) I usually try to hatch with the basic form it's made of but in complex organic form its not that beneficial Someone??????

[@ProkoTV]

Hey! We actually have a lesson on cross hatching from comics legend David Finch that you can check out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mH_NnIODqMepitU

[@Animelover-lc6yr]

@@ProkoTV ah thank you Looks like it's true what people say about this channel You do have solution to every art problem one might have

[@lesterdelacruz5088]

Super cool. That simple tip turned my drawing from messy poop, to poop with clean edges.

[@abrahemsamander3967]

I love the car analogy

[@NexusGamerss]

It's much better to draw with your shoulder, but It is a hard technique to manage when you are drawing without a table (using your knees on a bed for example)

[@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

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Drawing pin with double horizontal line safety shot

[@melodiasinger]

Deseo comprar sus cursos, pero son tan caros 😢, algún día podré!!

[@gunxcoolxx8710]

hihi long time no see sir:D

[@zennanims]

He still has the og intro music🥹🙏🏾

[@christinemunga3404]

Bro my brother told me I had to take the class it mad me mad

[@nwp3898]

Any tips on how to do it in digital with regular pen tablet?

[@springwater3723]

I learnt this from the force books

[@grabble7605]

I spent a fair bit of money on a nice art kit from Jazza (other art KZbinr) and now all I'm doing instead of drawing is watching art videos with no structure from one to the next (because it's a KZbin feed, not a curriculum) and becoming paralyzed with the utter doubt and futility of even trying...Maybe I should give the courses a shot. I see some free classes there to trial it.

[@ProkoTV]

That's a hard spot to be in! If you're finding it hard to know where to start, a course can help! We do have a free sampler of lessons from different courses that you can try to see whose teaching style or subject matter benefits you most. If you're just starting out, my new Drawing Basics course is a good option. Figure Drawing will help you draw the human body and more quickly. Hope to see you in there!

[@angelruizrisueno2729]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@AndrewK894]

I also drew a skull from his lessons well, you can look.

[@Shufrain]

Is this possible when using drawing tablet?

[@drawingforce]

Yes

[@katz103]

Great tip thanks! Sorry about your little car accident ;)

[@dahliamoonart]

how hard do u press, do you use ur wrist or move ur whole arm down

[@ProkoTV]

How hard you press depends on your needs in the moment and the pencil hardness you're using. And the same goes for the arm or wrist movement. Generally, small details are made with the wrist and large strokes are made from the shoulder.

[@dahliamoonart]

@@ProkoTV thank you!🙏🏻

[@Wakeupgrandowl]

He had a highschool animation teacher…. I went to an arts program highschool and even I did not. I wish I had.

[@rafsandomierz5313]

My man sacrificed his breakfast to demonstrate us how to draw lines. Respect.

[@kellyaquinastom]

has anyone used gestural art for animation?!

[@chijiokeebukka2482]

Can this be achieved with pen? I need to know because I use pen.

[@ProkoTV]

Depends on the pen a little bit you should be able to get some taper variance with a pen.

[@sadyoshhours2769]

LOL the car thing

[@Thesandearlys]

How do I use this stroke on my iPad

[@ProkoTV]

Same way as you do traditionally. Just make sure your brush and your Apple Pencil support pressure sensitivity. Not all models of the Apple pencil or brushes in your app of choice may.

[@kullenberg]

New mic, sinus infection or deviated septum? You sound different, Proko!

[@yay33rt]

Mine keeps tapering only at the end

[@ProkoTV]

Make sure your hand is already moving in the direction of the line you're making when you touch your pencil to the paper. Like how the taper happens at the end because of you raising your pencil while still moving, the taper at the beginning of the line happens as your already moving pencil makes contact with the paper.

[@brucejohnson4508]

Disney used a process where they would xerox the animators pencil drawing directly to film starting with One Hundred and One Dalmations until the Little Mermaid.

[@Muthukaviyarasan]

😃👍🙋🏻‍♂️

[@theblackjoker3975]

Actually this looks like a suture needle. Edit: I'm a medicine student but I love Art🎨

[@renzomarginal1632]

I just realized Moriarty from sherlock teaches art

[@rahdarkgaming5020]

Hi

[@spiderman5459]

Nice haircut 👍

[@ProkoTV]

Thank you!

[@richbailey819]

Lost it at that slide in intro.

[@johnnylamonte3451]

Wooden and lead holder pencils definitely have an advantage over mechanical pencils in this regard. Shame cause i enjoy mechanical as well.

[@tiawilliams5690]

This video is heavy on "what" and "why" (which is great, don't get me wrong), but has very little of the "how to" promised in the title.

[@TheAngelArrow]

1:21 i don't wanna hear u say it as you do it with ease