Inkscape Tutorial: Line Portrait

Create line art portraits using Inkscape. This is similar to my line art logo tutorial, only using a better method.
Photo: logosbynick.co...
Want to learn more about how Inkscape works? Check out the Inkscape Master Class - a comprehensive series of over 50 videos where I go over every tool, feature and function in Inkscape and explain what it is, how it works, and why it's useful: logosbynick.co...
Need a logo made? Request a design at: www.logosbynic...
Intro song: "In Da Mood" by Combustibles, used with written permission

[@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/

[@holdthewinds]

Thank you so very much! I appreciate your excellent work.

[@newroma5475]

thank you for the link. saves me time trying to go through all of your videos to find the videos i need. although searching thru everything does show me other programs i could start learning to use to progress my crafts and perfect them

[@okellodaniel110]

thank you

[@TheTechieR]

This guy is a legend or what? He makes long and detailed tutorials for free. Seriously he deserves a lot lot lot of respect +++++

[@jamiecynthia2739]

I agree.

[@RyanAlanOne]

I also agree. Informative and well spoken. He's taught me so much and still continues to. Thanks Nick!

[@58vivekhenber89]

Yeah

[@iitianankit8932]

Yes, seems like an open source enthusiast.

[@astatine0085]

I'm sure he gets plenty of monetizing and sponsoring funds. Well-deserved. Great teacher.

[@rickcperry]

Hands down one of the best inkscape tutorials I've seen online yet!!! Subbed and hit the bell on this one... Thanks

[@LogosByNick]

Thanks!

[@juozasmiskinis3590]

Thanks a lot Nick! I really appreciate you doing these tutorials with open source software. Very useful for Linux users like me.

[@debkovac1593]

I've been dabbling in inkscape for over a decade (mostly just using trace bmp) and now that I'm retired it's time to master the bezier pen! thank you for your tutorials which I stumbled upon when looking for options for creating my own SVG for my newly acquired Cricut. These are phenomenal. I'm having to pause repeatedly since you are so efficent at what you're doing but I'd rather have to do that than wait while someone slows down their teaching as if we had to grab it in real time. Thank you again and I'll be binge watching until my brain explodes.

[@leam1978]

really useful video, thanks! i'm a portrait artist getting into learning vector tools, and this is a handy starting point for inkscape. i do have a suggestion, though: you might try altering the width of your lines depending on where the light is in the picture. this will establish an illusion of depth. so, thicker lines in the shadow areas, and thin lines in the light

[@RobinHoller]

Regarding the tricky thing to get a handle of the node (7:10): while holding shift you can drag the handle right out of a node. No need to push things around. Btw your content is great and right on the point. I learned a lot from you, thank you.

[@LetMeDieLord]

Wow, that method is even better than the one you showed with the ship! PRICELESS CONTENT FOR FREE GUYS! Nick is the best!!

[@Tiquipay]

THIS is what I have been looking for for days now! I am gonna have to watch that again...

[@surinfarmwest6645]

Nick, thanks for the very useful guide on using the bezier pen handles, that often has me mumbling under my breath. I will do my portrait, should be easy as my hair disappeared years ago :-) West

[@jalgu93]

I am trying now but my lines are thin how can I do thick does anyone has an idea ?

[@user-iy2ob9yu4k]

The trick with the beizer is the greatest trick ever!

[@LindaTomanCreates]

Thank you SO Much for Making these Tutorials .. as a crafter who uses svg's having the ability to be able to create my own is important to be different than others.. Thank you so much again for these

[@zenithmarshadow5098]

This video just gave me an idea for my mother's upcoming birthday! Thank You So Much Nick

[@ryanhoward8238]

Been watching your videos for years, they rock

[@bobflipinHHH]

Omg where has this been all my life!

[@Astronomynatureandmusic]

Useful - clear speaking - the right speed - good explanation. Thanks!!!

[@joepolophotography]

Brand new to Inkscape, logos, drawing digitally and drawing in general really. Finding your videos quite inspiring. Ended up buying your Gimp and Inkscape tutorial package and learning a lot so keep up the good work Nick

[@RachedNoureddine]

still the Best inkscape teacher so far

[@FanVidder72]

Clever technique, using the Intersect shape and creating a stroke from it.

[@sixtyseven3337]

Honestly, one of the best tutorials I've ever seen. P E R F E C T (and yes I subscribed and clicked bell) Keep up good work pal

[@MoonlightTutorials-MT]

Nick made me love inkscake

[@jabberdoggy4444]

I am a very new user to inkscape, and this tutorial really helped some concepts "click" for me. Thank you for providing it.

[@BrotherhoodWilliams]

Nick the only reason I keep re- installing 😎

[@teklife]

inkscape is amazing, and your tutorials are great. thank you.

[@juntjoonunya9216]

Cool technique. I was hoping for two clicks of a button for some auto cartoon filter but maybe I was just dreaming but this looks like a simple trick/maneuver that you can just get better at and get good results

[@YasienSarlie]

Just purchased your logo manual to say thanks for the videos. Awesome work.

[@LogosByNick]

Thank you! I appreciate it.

[@Margo1968]

Wow! This is the best tutorial I have ever watched on KZbin! Would you please take this a step further & show how to turn this into a continuous art piece?

[@petercaklos6873]

mate did u do it? i have it as hw and im goofed

[@DifferentStorys]

Great video, really useful! I appreciate your time and effort put into sharing this great example! Many thanks!

[@RusstafaB]

Only just saw this fantastic tutorial thanks...You make it look so easy

[@kimt2au]

What a FANTASTIC tutorial. You have covered exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you so much.

[@nigelpallatt]

Thoroughly enjoyed that. Thanks, Nick.

[@ThaerRazeq]

Ah.. the main reason I clicked this video as soon as I saw it is because I thought it was you Nick 😂

[@0sx1s]

Haha lol

[@RedGryph0n]

I've never seen the paths done like that before. I usually use the power stroke path effect. I'm going to try this it looks like a huge time saver.

[@WARDISWARD]

Tip , hold shift while drag , clicking the bezier tool This way you're only using ONE bezier handle, which in most cases is more then enough

[@maritzaball6299]

I've no node to make the line thicker or thinner and yes I do have the latest version of inkscape.

[@jalgu93]

I have a same problem 😰

[@Hmngbrd22]

Wow! That was great. Explained very well and at a pace for even the slowest, like me. I don’t think I can do that, but I’m going to try..

[@newroma5475]

i know this video is super old but it has helped me to start making line work designs and its sooooooo easy to follow. next step making actual picures (once i perfect line work that is) thank you for your Inkscape videos im learning so much!!!

[@Moodboard39]

Same , did a hammer with Adobe illustrator

[@CemD]

Im done. Ive got something to add on my portfolio. But i struggle on some presets. I did some trial and error.luckily it turned great. Thanks!

[@brucepatterson3182]

Great tutorials Nick! I have greatly enjoyed them. 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.

[@michellecreative701]

OMGoodness Love your technique

[@moisespina1218]

Dude i love your videos has a lot of value!

[@brankobogdanoyarcemilutino1745]

Clear, simple, perfect

[@mbharatm]

Simple, and interesting! Thanks for showing how!

[@cassandrastubborn436]

How do yoh do those strokes? Everytime I try to recreate it, even though I followed the instructions properly.... It ends up being oval again and not like those thin lines. Do you have tutorials in setting up those bezier?

[@werewolf_13]

Hey did you figure this out? Seems like I'm having the same problem.

[@syriosly3058]

@@werewolf_13 did you figure it out I am having the same problem

[@werewolf_13]

@@syriosly3058 Yes I just had to bring down the size of the path using the handles.

[@syriosly3058]

@@werewolf_13 I am so confused now its not making the lines from the clipboard do you know how to fix it. It also just is invisible

[@lizardbar1331]

Hi had the same problem. Try "bend from clipboard" for shape instead of "from clipboard". Worked for me.

[@emmaroomes8076]

I'm so excited to try this!

[@udemefruitful]

Nick, you've been doing great help with these videos. And since I discovered your channel I've being fascinated with Inkscape. Thanks

[@dananj553]

Hei thx very much sir, from you i learn a lot about design and inkscape..😁

[@ZL1LoVeR]

Excellent video Nick!!

[@YUSince]

Absolutely Amazing !!!!! Thank you for a great video!

[@andivatar6383]

This is brilliant

[@samjp3626]

What a fantastic skill you have. That drawing is superb. Thanks again for a great video :)

[@mozzer35]

Love your videos. Thanks I've learned so much! Let's say I like how my line drawing turned out, and now I want to paint it but I'm not sure how to export the line drawing. Maybe this is a whole other video or process, but what would anyone recommend for next steps? Should I move into GIMP or stay in Inkscape? I'd love to see what others recommend.

[@daveweber1331]

Incredible...! Thanks so much for sharing this stuff. I have next to no experience or training with graphic design, but with the help of watching your, and a couple others, here on You Tube, I have designed a logo for my kids' company that they are quite pleased with! Now, I just have to find a way to convert my SVG file into and .exp file that my sewing machine can embroider from... :-)

[@Mitgardxxl]

Waow. I love you sir.

[@xflow79]

Nice tutorial, helps me to make better use of the pen tool! Thank you!

[@ReasonedRhetoric]

If you click then drag the first node will get 1 handle then click-drag gives 2 handles on the rest of the nodes

[@mochyncochyn9113]

Great video with the process clearly explained. Thank you!

[@curtzblues]

Most excellent. Thanks for showing.

[@mollarman]

Thank you for the informative tutorial! It took a number of times through, but I managed a simple logo :)

[@mattyg6624]

Thank you Nick. This tut is awesome!! :)

[@tyte90]

So cool! Gonna give this a try soon.

[@tomelegeert2037]

So easy after your tutorial. I made myself (profile pic)

[@Kadelle]

great job!

[@jalgu93]

Hi.How did u do lines thiner and thicker ?or which inkscape version did you download?

[@asifhossain566]

A bery helpful and interesting video

[@anthonygbt6552]

I really like your tutos great job and very usefull, I really improved since 1 year and mostly due to your videos :)

[@verajones2042]

This is amazing but it does not work for me. When using the Bezier Tool, I don't get the solid stroke I get an outlined eye shape instead

[@shi-nee7966]

SAME FOR ME BUDDY!!!!

[@hungwenhardage6104]

Same for me. I found a way to fix this problem. When I got an outlined eye shape, I applied fil (fill with black color)l and then I changed the Bezier shape to "last applied". Then later all the shapes I apply will be solid shape.

[@nishtajain7786]

Even for me

[@EllenHukkeri]

I had the same problem and finally figured out that bend from clipboard works instead of copy from clipboard.

[@WanderlustVanlife]

Hi, I'm not sure what is going wrong for me, I follow the steps up to using the bezier pen. I have all the setting correct and the shape copied. I draw my line and press enter, but it just draws a normal line and pastes the shape at the end of the line. Gahh! Thanks for your tuts I really like them. Just can't figure this one out :S

[@MarynQ]

same problem here

[@tpwright85]

Ok I fixed mine! If on a Mac, go to X11 "Preferences" (should be top left when youre in Inkscape), then go to "Pasteboard" menu, the unclick "Update Pasteboard when CLIPBOARD changes".Voila!

[@gigglebytes9640]

After applying your fix, i had to close Inkscape and reopen. Worked perfectly! Thanks for the advice!

[@azbe2304]

OK im sick of watching this. He makes so good videos that show how u do EVERY SINGLE THING. Im gonna download inkscape and gimp and start doing art like this, becouse I always wanted to do it, but didnt know how. thanks

[@azbe2304]

P.S. ill try to update u guys!

[@alextreme98]

Hi, when I use the shape from clipboard on the path, the shape fill is none and stroke is set, why isn't the opposite ? Please help

[@milenaencinalesrodriguez1581]

I love your videos thank you!

[@brynnschafer774]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you so much!

[@bojanzoretic]

On 6:55 you can get a handle > cursor on node > press Shift+Ctrl > pull handle out... on 8:13 also...

[@Maximus_Ier]

Awesome ! That's helpin' a lot !

[@jackweber8949]

Very helpful as always. Thank You

[@jardeldias3976]

Amazing tutorial and amazing song =)

[@leandrohernandez2558]

Awesome as always, keep it up

[@21Liberdade]

I think I'm missing smth concerning editing the lines. When editing them, the only thing showing is the handle to increase or decrease the thickness. I tried what you suggested, moving the lines around, except I can't. I clicked numerous times over several parts of the line and no extra handles come out nor does the line move.

[@Qwazerty-x4z]

I love your videos !!

[@hoteltwonine5365]

The music is the best.

[@ekmakes8969]

Brilliant!

[@mahmoudhesham7176]

Really thank you man ❤️❤️

[@sreekarguddeti9664]

Thank you for the tutorial... It helped me appreciate the utility of inkscape.. also i could make a beautiful portrait of a girl i like .... :)

[@FilterYT]

That was really cool, thanks.

[@Zul812]

Hi Nick, I was trying to follow this tutorial by using an image of a dog instead (dont know if that's relevant) Thing is that the tool "edit paths" doesn't work the same way for me. Instead of making it thinner or thicker it allows me to move the curved line shape and change the position of the edges. I've followed every step... 4:23

[@mateussantiago3131]

Thanks you bro. love you....

[@birdie399]

Great work, very helpful thanks.

[@DrAditi_Life]

Thanks. This helped a lot.

[@hansdegroot8549]

Great tutorial, thanks for sharing!

[@user-rs9mb1lv4w]

Thank you so much ♥️♥️♥️

[@rajatsonu01]

Great video Thanks. A ton

[@shubham_dalvi]

love it 💗💗

[@paperwithasparkle4933]

I've been trying to follow your tutorial but I don't not have that node that makes it thicker or thinner. Made sure I had the most current inkscape but no success, any ideas?

[@silzeppelin]

I have had the same issue.

[@geauxadventuring6039]

Whats the difference in this method and just using the Ellipse bezier pen, instead of using the copy from clipboard?

[@chrishooper68]

Everything looks great except for no differential between the mustache and upper lip. By not separating the two, he now looks like he has a very large thick upper lip. I would've created another line between both lips, then added a few thin vertically curved lines within the mustache area to show that it's a mustache.

[@malayalamwriter]

Really useful

[@Kadelle]

awesome, thanks for the tutorial!

[@timeisgold7793]

Does gimp has that feature making the lines thinner n thicker by dragging ?

[@SoniyaG_]

Wow that was so helpful! Thank you for sharing :)

[@Southwestpro]

Great tutorial

[@NFS612]

awesome tutorial! i was wondering if there's something similar in photoshop

[@realfex]

Thanks for the video! I cannot make the line thicker or thinner. Just dragging the point around. What am I doing wrong? (Using Inkscape 0.91 on Ubuntu)

[@jalgu93]

Me too

[@decentgrup6398]

I have the same issue and I think that our problem is the version (0.91). We have to upgrade. However one solution inside our version is to select "Ellipse" among the Shape options (instead of "From Clipboard"), make the line you want, go to Path -- Path Effects and a dialog box will appear on the right side. Make sure it is selected "Single, stretched" as Pattern copies and change the width according to your need.