Make the Most of This Drawing Process!

[@dorien84643]

I was just wondering this morning why my lines looked so stiff. While my pencil work looked elegant. This explains it! Thank you :-).

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it was helpful! Understanding better what's happening I find is always the start of improvement

[@georgehirsch9152]

What a timely video! It is where I am at now. Thank you.

[@stephentraversart]

Great To Hear George. I love being timely. 😀

[@bonniesrandomstuff7066]

Thank you, Stephen, This is one of your best videos. I've learned so much from you. But this video gave me a deeper layer. I'd love to point out my favorite, or most helpful part, but I guess I can't. Unless it is one of the most common lessons... keep looking at your reference. You took that direction and turned it into a complete, fleshed-out thought.

[@Kemnekluglenbrigstert]

The main reason I avoid tracing my pencil sketches with total exactness is that my mind begins to wander at how rote that inking procedure is and the product will reflect that as I get sloppy and distracted. So I will omit details for the inking to keep myself creatively engaged. I don’t typically use reference for my work but I enjoyed your ideas and it really rings true.

[@Kemnekluglenbrigstert]

Also, to avoid inking being such a high stakes event with bigger pieces, I will allow myself to stick paper corrections on over top if necessary. I rarely actually end up doing this. But just by knowing that I have a plan B, this loosens up (and speeds up) my inking and gets me closer to the result I’m going for

[@stephentraversart]

Sounds like you’ve found a method that works for you. Well done, and all the best with it. 😀

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for sharing 😀

[@kinfolk127]

Good points 👉 👈 😊

[@stephentraversart]

Thank you. 😀

[@axistiltproductions]

When I was younger I used to ink over my pencil drawings, then so the finished work looked clean I would erase the pencil after the ink was dry, though I would loose contrast in my ink drawing as the erasure would remove some of the ink. Later I built a light table and would ink over my pencil drawing on a clean sheet of paper. This would preserve the pencil work if I needed it again and good for the portfolio.

[@mdawson5581]

I have a minimum two of every drawing, a pencil one and an ink version. I’ll use a lightbox to ink on a separate piece of card/paper

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for sharing your process 😀

[@menelvegor]

Amazing tips!

[@peters.4263]

Thank you so much, I am guilty of doing very detailed under drawing and just going over it with ink. I will put in the minimum pencil lines in the future. 🙂

[@handymotte9937]

Very helpful for my future drawing time....thanks Stephen.

[@the_neutral_container]

I couldn't help thinking that, say, a comic artist might recommend the exact opposite - ie to flesh out the pencil work as much as possible and then stay as close to them as you can. Comics of course are largely drawn from imagination and more diverse tools than a fineliner are used. But yes, very good points throughout! If I take my pen drawing much more seriously than a year or so ago, it's mostly because of your channel.

[@stephentraversart]

Most comic styles are a lot more precise and even stylised, and yes, I can magine what you suggest would work best for the outcome envisaged. In the end, it's what we want to have created at the end which should direct our methods. Appreciate your thoughts, and all the best with the pen drawing.

[@jasondanio6259]

Great topic. Really enjoyed your perspective

[@kimberleewatz462]

Very helpful video

[@stephentraversart]

Glad you think so!😀

[@JohnHazell-ut2up]

@@stephentraversart I love your channel. I've learned much from it. So a big thank you. My only negative observation is that in some vids, you could've said what you needed and given the how's and why's in half the time.

[@user-db5km]

im so glad i came across your channel your videos are so helpful 😭😭😭🙏🙏

[@AudaGreato]

I drew some of the things you already did, but I kept noticing that I suck when drawing lines, always scratchy and ambiguous

[@axistiltproductions]

When ever I draw a line with ink, especially a very long, important line that has to be right, I make sure I am comfortable and my seating is right and my arm is in the most comfortable position and then I start to carefully lay down the line. Through experience I have noticed the speed at which you draw the line is crucial and can vary. Sometimes you must draw it slow and do not be afraid to stop at anytime and pick up where you left off, and other times you may want to draw the line in one quick uninterrupted stroke. Consistency is powerful. If you strive for perfection it will require lots of time and patience, and if you make it scratchy or like gestures, loose scribbly lines, then make it that way through entire drawing. You can turn what you think is a weakness into your own style.

[@andrewfinlay6210]

Hello Stephen, Can you tell me which fine liners you use the most, please?

[@stephentraversart]

I use COPIC fineliners. I recommend sticking to the one brand whatever it is for consistency in how it handles and looks

[@deadby15]

TL/DW: Never use a pencil. It will ruin your art.