Inkscape for Beginners: Create a Line Art Logo Using Any Image

[@LogosByNick]

If you want to learn more about how Inkscape works, I have a 50+ part video series where I explain all of the tools and features in Inkscape and demonstrate how they work. Here's the link if interested: logosbynick.com/inkscape/

[@MikeM8891]

Alternatively the ellipse-shaped bezier curves can be scaled by going to Path>Path Effects... (Shift+Ctrl+7) and adjusting the width. By default a width of 1.000 equals 10 pixels.

[@_Yolandi]

thanks

[@MichelBarbaro]

Oh! Much better! Thanks! I don't want to belittle the technique described on the video! Both useful!

[@ayeyebrazorf7527]

nine says 0.000 and at maximum I can get it at 0.1 (mm, px, or whatever) I click enter but nothing happens and goes back to 0.000. Also when I draw the ellipse curves when I resize them the thickness doesn't change, wtf?? help

[@billykid631]

Yes, yours method is faster. Thanks for the tips.

[@khalidelgazzar]

That's much better. Thanks

[@fun-learning]

thank you so much- I am from Egypt and i learned a lot from you-i need Inkscape a lot in my channel-and your video helped me a lot

[@harrisonology700]

For anyone having trouble getting the stroke size to increase when downsizing, another way to get a similar effect is by selecting everything and clicking path union. Then click on the object and press control and 0 at the same time. This will create a offset from the shape each time you do this. Hope this helps!

[@FLjock01]

Very nicely done. The confidence in your voice, and your verbal cadence, is perfect for a tutorial. Right to the point, results in under 10 minutes. Thank you for your time and effort.

[@jigsawmuzak]

You're real treasure, dear Nick! Thank you with the whole heart of mine!

[@LogosByNick]

+Jigsaw Muzak Glad to help!

[@pwnyou2295]

Simple, easy to follow tutorial. Thank you very much. Gotta say, if someone ever wants a job designing logos for investment or real estate companies, this is probably the only Inkscape video they'll ever need. Seriously, it feels like 90% of those companies use line logos.

[@susantipsyhealy7655]

Finally, someone who can explain Inkscape in a way I can understand. Thank you.

[@LogosByNick]

If you'd like to learn more about design theory and the process of creating a professional logo, be sure to check out my logo design course: logosbynick.com/designcourse/

[@wbarela7313]

Great tutorial! Not only was it really helpful, but it was also well produced. Thank you!

[@johnjohnston3815]

I just wanted to say thank you for all your videos. I have been putting off learning inkscape for almost 2 hours. You are making this very effortless..

[@ViktorBludov]

Very well done explanation, very CONCISE without wasting any time. Thanks for doing this.

[@muhammadjibran7672]

So simple yet so powerful. Thanks Nick.

[@wovado]

If you'd want to adjust the thickness of the lines you could go into the path effect editor and change the 'width' option there. This is basically just 'pattern along path' using an ellipse.

[@brendanward2991]

Your Inkscape tutorials are becoming addictive.

[@ivyquinto]

Thank you very much for your tutorials! Everything I know about inkscape I practically learned from your tutorials. :)

[@sanjayshivaprasadp6451]

Nick, Thanks. I am new to designing of any kind and I find the way you explain easier to grasp. Happy holidays.

[@rayvang2536]

Had problems at first when my lines ending up being to thick but then I found out and messed with the size of pens strokes and managed to complete the video. I used .10\.09 for a similar size in the video. I'm excited to use this and more tools in the future. Thank you for the video.

[@alphabravo3481]

Good tutorial, clear + concise explanation, good production, and good audio quality.

[@LogosByNick]

+Alpha Bravo Thank you!

[@darrenedgson2043]

If your line width does not change when scaling. On the "Select" bar check the button towards the end "When scaling objects, scale the stroke width by the same proportion".

[@GiuTor73]

Hi, thanks for the tip but I can't find the above button in Inkscape 0.92. Can you help? Many thanks.

[@dbo514]

@@GiuTor73 same here

[@GiuTor73]

@@dbo514 Yep I found the solution in the mean time. Either use Inkscape on a bigger screen or click the last triangle on the right to access the hidden option cause the screen width is too short to contain all the options!

[@dbo514]

@@GiuTor73 I've found it but it doesn't seem to affect the line width.

[@GiuTor73]

@@dbo514 Really? It works on my inkscape. I use 1.0 too on Linux.

[@Damodharanjay]

You are amazing! Ubuntu + GIMP + Inkscape = Design Wizard! You are my inspiration!

[@matiasgoinheix366]

This channel is a gem

[@alphabravo3481]

Subbed. You have a lot of great looking tutorials (love the clean + sharp looks of the final result).

[@LogosByNick]

+Alpha Bravo Thank you!

[@gigliotube]

Usefull as usual! I Decide to stop learning inkscape throught boring step by step official guide: i can easily guess that your tutoriall will be one of my fav learning sources. Thanks! Greetings from IT

[@richtraube2241]

Great tutorial. Easy to follow. I got good results and I'm no artist by along shot. My wife and I have our own company and I can easily see using this simple method to create monotone graphics. Thanks Nick!

[@barkingbandicoot]

Very cool! Thank you! The scaling of thickness would not change for me though! Did I miss some setting? How do you crop the image afterwards? Thanks!

[@Mentorcase]

I'm not easily impressed but I have watched a few of these videos and I think you have done a great job with teaching and showing what to do.

[@LogosByNick]

+Mentorcase Thank you! I try my best.

[@bobcatbleeder]

Very nice, very simple, very good. Thanks Nick for sharing the idea. Loved it.

[@lakeireland]

The first thing I've managed to make in Inkscape that came out decently! Some of my lines were really thick when I drew them so I did the opposite of the scaling instructions. They turned out fine :)

[@thunderbird91988]

Thank you for sharing! By your tutorial I could some very important logo for myself and my university work :)

[@luciekolarova5351]

Thanks for this great tutorial! :) For everyone having problem with changing the thickness - I think that with newer versions of Inkscape the trick with scaling down to make lines thicker isn't needed anymore - when you go to edit path by nodes tool and click on your path, there is a small square next to the starting node and if you drag it away, line gets thicker, if closer, it gets thinner. Hope I explained that well - I am no master in Inkscape unlike Nick :D :)

[@harshitachauhan7721]

Thank you, I was getting a little concern because mine is new version and nodes were not getting thick or thin but your comment give me helpful advice

[@loracrooks9987]

Fabulous tutorial! I'm just learning Inkscape and just from this short tutorial; I've learned a lot! Greatly appreciated!

[@penguinswander]

Thanks for the straight forward tutorial. I'm going to try it right now.

[@sovellohp]

A bit late but not too late. Thanks Nick for the coolest videos on Inkscape. Am following this now and the effect where you scale down with Ctrl + Shift and the lines become thicker doesn't work for me, not sure it has changed as am on Inkscape 0.92 I however went on to use Path -> Path Effects and change the width under Pattern Along Path. Is the shortcut different or what do I need to change in my configs maybe to get same effect as yours? Thanks

[@hansdegroot8549]

This video popped up when I was looking for Inkscape (tutorials). Great video and performance. When I saw the thumbnail I expected a total other way of doing it (because I don't know how inkscape works. But this is just great. Thanks for sharing.

[@TractorTech]

Thanks, I started out watching your tutorial on how to make a logo using gimp. Then you said inkscape was better because you could make a vector so I switched to that video. Then I saw this video in the up next column and switched to it. I am wanting to make a line art logo, I did not know it was called line art til now. After watching this video I am feeling more confident about doing it.

[@blinkerplease1936]

Great tutorial. I have drawn many items with different shapes for the bezier tool but never noticed that they thin when I enlarge, or fatten when shrinking. I opened some I created previously and they do change. Thank you for that tip.

[@LogosByNick]

+Blinker Please It took me a while to figure that out too

[@ahmeddeiaa3943]

amazing. At last a line art tutorial. I wanted to see this long ago

[@LogosByNick]

+ahmed deia Glad you were able to learn something!

[@theKetrab02]

Great work! With the help of your videos I was able to make a pretty decent logo.

[@LogosByNick]

Awesome, glad to help

[@sdp6404]

Great tutorial Nick. My logo is based on handwritten text and line image, not a photo. How do I digitize this to bring into Inkscape? Is there a way to capture the drawing to bring it in?

[@aakatsis]

Omg I loved this so much! This is the second tutorial I'm watching and I'll probably watch everything you have it is super helpful! Thanks for posting Nick!

[@jacobopstad5483]

Great! I love your tutorials. I like how you teach the shortcuts, too.

[@trent797]

Great video. As of 2020, is the bezier-ellipse method still the best way to create tapered lines?

[@vrihanaditya]

Fantastic simple and well explained. I'm subscribing. please keep these lil tips and tricks coming.

[@rblihovde]

Cool looking image creation. What was also interesting was that you used the Inkscape feature of changing the scale of the stroke width by the same proportion when resizing. That feature is usually something that annoys me and I end up turning it off altogether! Now I have a better understanding of how it can be put to good use! Great video!

[@LogosByNick]

+Bob Blihovde Yeah it can be aggravating until you figure out how it fully works.

[@dmanrosss]

great tutorials Nick!

[@LogosByNick]

+rohsco Thank you!

[@toyas400]

You have really just saved my life :) ... thank you for taking the time to post this for myself and others to learn from

[@TheQueerNuii]

Hi Nick. This is so helpful. Two things that maybe you can share to me. First is when I am making my bezier elipse it is so big and I have to bring the width manually using Path Effects for every lines. How do you make yours automatically that thin? And my lines don't get thick when I scale them. Is there anything I can do?

[@sgreum70]

Thanks for these tutorials. I'm working my way through them to resurrect my graphics career after a couple of years away and they are really helpful and easy to follow. I'm using the current version, 0.92 and when I resize the image my lines are resizing in proportion even though the button "when scaling objects, scale the stroke width by the same proportion" is off. It also does this when it is on, its state seems to make no difference. Is there another setting that I am missing that changes this? I've been poking around for a couple of hours and can't find anything.

[@ajfa101]

Thank you so much! I just needed this to draw a palm tree for a logo! So helpful!

[@beamoore5045]

How do you change the color of the background of the document or even make it transparent. I am guessing I may have to do something with layers. I want to make a pic to print on a t shirt without all the white square under the image. Thank you so much for fantabulous tutorials!!!

[@j22672]

Great tips, as always. Thank you, sir.

[@LogosByNick]

+j22672 Cheers. Thanks for watching.

[@rashaahmed2299]

I like this technique. Many thanks

[@1DJLNR]

Superb tutorial Nick!! subscribed!

[@LogosByNick]

+DJ LNR Awesome, thanks!

[@maryf4480]

Great easy to follow tutorial.

[@brucepatterson3182]

Great tutorials Nick! I have greatly enjoyed them. I posted this this comment to your other tutorial about line drawings as well. I did discover through experimentation that if the Bezier Shape is set to None that the resizing node does not show up no matter what you do. I have noticed in the comments that some individuals have had problems getting the node to show and it is possible that this is the reason. The node will show up on any other Shape EXCEPT for None. I have noticed that sometimes Inkscape will switch the shape back to none without any apparent reason (program glitch?) so that is something you may wish to point out if you do any other tutorials about the Bezier tool. I hope that this comment helps anyone who may have had problems getting the node to show up. Someone else may have already pointed this out in your comments (I didn't read every one) but I thought I should mention it to try to help anyone who is having problems.

[@LogosByNick]

Good point Bruce, thanks for sharing.

[@decalpals8496]

Hi, Nick, I'm so glad to have found you on KZbin. I've already watched a couple of your videos and have already expanded my knowledge of Inkscape in very meaningful ways. I've been using it for almost a year. I design cut files to be used on home hobby cutting machines like ScanNCut, Cricut, and Cameo. Have you ever done or would you consider doing a video on the most efficient way to turn the photo of a person into a design that could be cut as a decal? I've been experimenting but I'm hoping there's a quicker, more efficient way to to what seems to be a tedious process. In the meantime, I am going to enjoy going through your videos to see what I can learn about design composition and ease of use in Inkscape. Thanks so much for taking your time to make these videos.

[@GirolamoAloe]

I have learned something new watching this video 😃

[@katiecavinder3144]

Your videos are AMAZING Nick! I am wondering if in Inkscape it is possible to make a line art logo but change the black line to a set background? For instance, a metal or glitter background image used for the line.

[@gummi4977]

thanks for the tutorial. I was having a difficult time to make some artline logo with 'calligraphic' tool. This is much better and easier :D

[@velhoguidsd]

simple, but beautiful.

[@LogosByNick]

+guilherme daniel Thanks!

[@Rafnjon]

Hey Nick, could you make a tutorial about color managment (cmyk) and how to make the data ready for printing press?

[@LogosByNick]

+Rafnjon I mainly use Illustrator for print materials, so it would have to be an Illustrator tutorial. There are other ways to do so without Illustrator, but I haven't tried them personally.

[@narcissus305]

Amazing ,simple, concise clear..Thank you!!!!

[@KiKiJahDore]

The bezier tool is one of my favorites on Inkscape. It’s almost always the only one I use.

[@fauzanalexander28]

for those who cannot scale, activate a stroke on the line object and the button when scaling an object should not be activated

[@bichiik]

Thanks man! I wasn't able to figure it out, your comment was very helpful!

[@IIFAST4U]

Hi Nick, I am a complete nube to using inkscape. actually to most design software. I can build and repair computers no problem but not software. I am running windows 10, and Inkscape 0.91 A lot of the shortcuts don't work? is this a setting or the version I am using? for example pressing 1 does nothing in Inkscape? or using the delete key? I have to right click and use the drop down. Thank you for your videos and great work. some of them are too fast for me to follow but I am getting there slowly.

[@LogosByNick]

That's odd, I've never heard of that. Then again I've never used Windows 10 either. I would try searching that problem on Google. Whenever I run into problems with Inkscape I just Google and find out there's usually many other people who've had the same problem, and members of the community usually offer a solid solution. If not, try posting about it on the forum and seeing if someone can help. Sorry I couldn't help any further than that.

[@IIFAST4U]

Thanks I will look it up. another question my version always has a "frame" of an 8X10 in potrait position I can work over it but even following your video and choosing custom and 1:1 its still there? any ideas?

[@LogosByNick]

Go to File > Document Properties and uncheck the page border boxes

[@IIFAST4U]

Perfect Thanks!

[@nithin1340]

+Nick Saporito (LogosByNick) what operating system do you use.

[@jang1985]

Hey Nick! Thanks for your tutorials. They are awesome! How comes that your initial bezier ellipse lines are that thick? If I draw ellipse lines they will be much thinner. Did I miss something? I am using version 0.91. Greetings from Germany!

[@LogosByNick]

+Jan G Thanks Jan. Maybe you're zoomed out? Have you tried zooming in at 1:1? If you make the line too long, it'll make the ellipse smaller. If you make the line smaller, it'll make the ellipse larger.

[@jang1985]

+Nick Saporito (LogosByNick) Hey Nick, I managed to fix my problem. I used path effects to increase the width of my paths. Now I have a second problem. How do I export my logo without the white background? In your case: How could you export the boat you drew without the whitebackground so you could put on a red word page? Zhanks for your answer. I am looking forward to new videos!

[@HilltopDyer]

Best tutorial! Thanks so much!!

[@mvincenty]

Nick, excellent tutorial, thank you! I can't seem to thicken the lines by scaling down. I hold the shift + control and click and drag in, but the lines stay the same. Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong? Thanks

[@ninjaplease23]

I love you right now! Thank you so much for making this video!

[@polomhuiri7759]

Exactly what I needed today. Thank You

[@RobertBrown-qb8yh]

Thank you. Great little tutorial.

[@rdmasl2148]

Hello Nick, have you got similar technique to use in GIMP?

[@kierowcabezpieczny]

Hi, For some reason I am unable to reproduce making the lines bigger (6:27) even though I am trying to copy all the steps: select all, ctrl-shift, using the arrows. The proportions remain the same. What am doing wrong?

[@acornalley3653]

I'm having the same problem Marek. I'd love to hear the solution from Nick.

[@monali6904]

my lines wont get bigger if i scale down!? but i make it like in the video? pls help me!

[@dreeze49]

Won't work for me either... Annoying

[@nikkisigmon8090]

I'm just learning Inkscape- but I had the same issue. Check the four boxes on the right side of the horizontal tool bar when you are in the select/scale option. All four of my boxes were highlighted and the lines did not change thickness when scaling. I unchecked the first one and now it changes thickness when scaling. Sorry, I don't know the names of the tools yet. Good luck!

[@suenecorrea]

thank you for sharing. I did find the box you mentioned and I unchecked it, but it seems nothing happened. Thanks anyway!

[@moneyxx]

its so amazing thank you nick ❤️

[@elmagico721]

Great tutorial. Thanks

[@isaiaslafon9329]

nice vids! do u know how to divide a circle like inpizza slices with same size each other a number of times?

[@billykid631]

Very good lesson, thank you.

[@nitreall]

wow! i think im gonna watch all ur images. thnks a lot

[@Amdecreations.]

Thank you for the tutorial. A great help.

[@anhvunguyen8171]

That is an amazing guide!

[@LogosByNick]

Thanks!

[@TheGlario]

yeah

[@tekstygrafika3782]

Thank you very much! Great lesson.

[@anchithacharya7836]

Hey Nick, could you please make tutorial on making mockup UIs in Inkscape if that is possible? Also, great tutorial! I am looking forward to many more awesome tutorials from you!

[@LogosByNick]

+Anchith Acharya Thanks. UI's for what specifically? It wouldn't be too much different than designing anything else -- you'd just have to set the dimensions to whatever specifications are required.

[@viascribe2251]

This is a great tutorial! Thank you very much

[@sherwinnofuente6713]

Hello Nick, I'm very new to inkScape, and I tried to create an ellipse but it gave me a full ellipse instead of the thin ellipse that was shown in the 1:51 of the video. I tried to check but I'm not sure what's causing this. I'm running at OSX. appreciate your advice. thank you

[@FaithandActiondotnet]

Really cool! Finally, art I can do!!

[@kymmoulds]

Great tutorial. Well done.

[@dejo1345]

would love to be able to finish this tutorial with you but inkscape crashes on me after i make the body of the boat every time. guess i'll have to find another program to use....any suggestions?

[@AcedReza]

thanks man. it was simple and helpful

[@Zhai4253]

My dark brown layer doesn't see to want to play ball when using the 'Difference' option. Had an issue with it when doing the white circles, and then again when doing the bite marks. Did I miss a step earlier on?

[@rhessex]

Some great tips in this one.

[@siveshs]

Thanks for a great tutorial! On a side note - what kind of OS do you use? It looks like Ubuntu but your left-hand tray looks way cleaner than any version of ubuntu that I've seen.

[@LogosByNick]

I'm currently using Ubuntu 14.04 with the Vertex Dark theme and the Numix Circle icon pack. More info about that here if you'd like to use it as well: blog.logosbynick.com/design/how-to-make-inkscape-go-dark/

[@irfanneox6601]

Awesome Tutorial!!!! but Nick, can u make tutorial that explain briefly about Object to Path and Stroke to Path (Path drop down menu) One of your new fan!!!!

[@LogosByNick]

+Irfan NeoX Yes, I made a video addressing this because it was a very common question. Here's a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHazlWCdeLxoo5o

[@acornalley3653]

Hey Nick, I love your tutorials, I can't stop working through them!! On this one when I go to scale at the end it doesn't make the lines thicker. Scaling up or down just keeps all the proportions the same. What am I doing wrong?

[@khalidelgazzar]

Very helpful tutorial. Thanks. However the part of scaling the width of lines did not work with me but I found a better way in the comments below.

[@shaileshdeshpande8539]

awesome tutorial

[@MsRaspberry86]

Hello. so i need to redraw the northern Adria in the middlesea. hope it will work well. Thanks for the tutorial. I hope I can manage redrawing the Adria. It´s my first time using inkscape and i am unsure what i am doing. What i do not know is how to add the scale... Thanks for you help.

[@alfons_turtle]

Is this also possible with Affinity Designer? Can't find the option to change the shape to ellipse Thanks :)

[@rodrigocbv]

very good! Thanks for sharing!

[@rmd9250]

Great tutorial! Thank you!