This Simple Line Trick Will Transform Your Comic Art!

[@leandrorp6642]

Its really weird how some of the best comic books artists make some of the best 2D shapes and dynamic forms yet I never saw anyone describe how to achieve this result as you explained, great video

[@Chessbox09]

I've been looking for years on how they do it. It almost seemed like a trade secret. I managed to pick up some of it through observation, and looking at my favourite artists. However thanks to David now, I can now do this consistently.

[@briansickboy]

Another great teacher you might want to check out is Rodgon

[@elliotRust29]

for me its amazing how you can basically ''improvise'' muscles and their shadows even if you don't know the anatomy 1:1 and it still stays looking crazy believable, most people that look at the art wont actually know anatomy but if it looks believable then theyll think it is absolutely anatomically correct, i will never get over how incredible that is

[@nealorr5086]

To some degree, people view the human form like they read words. As you learn to read more qucikly, you actaually stop reading each letter of a word, and start just reading the first one of two and the last one or two and based on context your brain solves the equtaion and just fills in the correct word. As long as you get the external form of the arm/forearm right the eye is going to be OK with it, unless you're doing something really egregious inside there. Steve's upper arm muscles look wrong to me, but I wouldn't complain about it. The idea is that is a lean, but muscled forearm and the illustration conveys that.

[@mpnutz]

im a fine art student and i heard all these line quality, weight, cross hatching... for years and for me it was so complicated so instead i was just drawing with shading. good thing about comic art techniques or illustration is that you make techniques actually useful and workable so you have a lot more time and focus on creativity rather than fighting with mediums and techniques

[@ranjancse26]

The line of beauty is simply amazing. It really showcases the real life thing and the composition is coming along so naturally. Great work and thank you for sharing this technique.

[@Caddrel]

One of the best videos about line and shadow shapes that you can apply right away on anything.

[@TruggyDude]

wow...this is a game changer. it took me a little while to get this figured out, but when i did it changed everything. it's difficult for me to draw the shape language from my head when constructing the form so i started with round curves ie: Bart Sears old "bubble figures". I use clip studio for my line art so I added another layer and used the line of beauty opposing curves to draw my shadow shapes. Even then it took me a minute to figure that out. I initially would shade like i always did but quickly got to changing the direction with the lines of beauty. it takes awhile to train your mind to perceive shadows and forms like this but WOW. Once you get the idea it's like getting a whole new set of keys to this style. Thanks Dave!

[@altariabeats]

Wow! I followed along and produced one of the best anatomically-focused figures I have ever drawn. Thank you for this!!

[@bodybuildingbrian]

Such an "Ah HA!" Moment here with the use of the line of beauty...LOVE THIS! Thanks Dave!

[@justalex4214]

What a fantastic video! Most drawing tutorials on yt lack substance but you go the extra mile and demonstrate in great detail the points you wanna get across. Your stuff is always worth watching!

[@breadpirateoverhere]

Wake up everybody, new David greatness on the timeline.

[@akiraishin7141]

Yeah boy!

[@DamienDrgv]

Wake up!!!!

[@bawrbxokurdistan8486]

me too it was a welcomed surprised.

[@sael5084]

If only my brain could retain this information ❤

[@breadpirateoverhere]

@@sael5084 Watch it a few times and practice along, I bet after 3-4 watches you'll have it down. Some times studying requires ya to re-read a chapter a few times before it lands in your memory.

[@equesdeventusoccasus]

I find looking at pictures of bodybuilders helps in determining what is possible for shapes in a body. I don't ever redraw a single person's form, but rather combine the forms into one believable form that is pleasing to the eye.

[@davicarvalho124]

Haha nice timing, just yesterday i was praticing it from some Ryan Benjamin videos!!!

[@timcolivet7343]

i love your videos Dave. No pretentious art speak just matter of fact and incredibly helpful.

[@trublgrl]

It's amazing how the stars align. This morning I was drawing a female figure, and I was not happy with my basic shapes, even though I was working from a picture. I decided to block it out with hard, straight lines, and got my masses much improved. Now I can probably use this technique to finish my drawing. Thank you!

[@dantealighieri5464]

it's good to know that there are still those that truly love true art.

[@Fallout-lh1lb]

He's BACK

[@willheydecker6179]

This is absolutely uncanny. All day yesterday I was doing drapery studies of your work and then spent about an hour scouring penmanship tutorials and art history resources about the line of beauty. And here we are. Insane.

[@jaldobariya1415]

I love your artworks. Especially what I love is your style to shadow anything like muscles.

[@MichaeltjeVu]

Definitely! Dave's shadow drawing is so dynamic

[@Lorenzo-pw7dp]

ok now this just changed my game. I've been very knowledgeable about a variaty of subjects when drawing figures, but til now I've never heard of this techique before! I think that is going to take my art to another level, thank you very much!

[@1MightyR]

Thoroughly explained!!! 🎯🔥🔥

[@sael5084]

You deserve it don't worry ❤❤

[@susansouthern6704]

Omg David..I'm blown away by this line of beauty video..

[@sangera]

I didn't really feel this trick until I put it out of my mind. When I was following along with the guide, it didn't feel natural, but I kept at it a little bit. I just finished a sketch and I realized immediately after that I was implementing the beauty lines, and the figure and anatomy came out a lot better than I feel I have done. This tutorial is fantastic, and helped me understand the body a lot better.

[@MrSongib]

In short. It's a line gesture with opposing characteristics in Big, Medium, and Small forms to define the Outline, form, shadow and composition. OK Great reminder and good exercise in line drawing and shading.

[@calebconver2188]

This is probably the best art lesson I’ve ever seen.

[@marcingolab6227]

I used to think that the main thing about drawing lines was being confident in laying down smooth and long edges, ideally while varying the weight along the way somehow. Breaking things up like you show here makes much more sense, and for pencil drawings it's far more realistic to go over a line again to give it value because the graphite has no spring to it, like a nib or a brush does. Thanks a lot, this is at once a technique for details and a general organizing principle that gives your drawings an intentional quality, tying everything together.

[@GameplayVidHub]

Glad to see you back with a new video, sir. 😉👊🏻

[@bodawei425]

Very interesting! I'm not sure that the 'beauty lines' give a "more natural look" to the body. BUT they surely give much more rhythm to the drawing and convey way more energy to the lines. So, altogether it's more original and really pleasant to the eye. Great tip!

[@BaltorAirsoftSniper]

David you are the best teaching all these techniques!

[@LazarusSchell]

As an animator, illustrator and college foundation drawing teacher I love this video. What David is doing is illustrating the fundamental use of the principles of LINE. Line is one of seven principles of Art and Drawing: Space, Line, Shape, Form, Value, Texture, and Color..... And has within in many concepts of how it's used. There are organic Line, Geometric Lines (Which this lesson is going over) Invisible lines, Implied Lines, etc.... The main reason most professional companies only hire from University programs are further illustrated in the comments of this video. These principles he's explaining are basics which most amateurs Tend to overlook, or ignorantly avoid when they're doing a composition. At some point everyone has to learn the foundations, the sooner you accept that and get on with it, the sooner your work will start to take you where you want it too.

[@MrPaulowillians]

Wow! Here we turn the key! Thank you master!!!

[@anversailles]

This is really helpful. I’ve always envied comics for those defined yet stylized muscle forms. I’m glad I finally understand how they draw that way! Thank you so much!!

[@original_pranxter]

I agree, you should combine both hard and blocky lines with soft and curvy. But you shouldn't be putting it in these mindlessly. Start with filling up all of the shapes and apply gravity. Remember things that are alive tend to bend outlines outwards. It is a sign of a healthy organism. So the soft tissue behaves like that. And also you have bones. Take their features to be your guides. Remember: joints are always visible. So this way you can combine hard bone and soft tissue, and also express these in line, curves vs angles. And in anatomically right places, so it is mindful. It requires practice. I am glad you show your way doing it. Nice video, man!

[@octonolite_0]

Dave, I always look forward to watching along when you drop new videos. It's great to see you address shapes here. The concept is one of the toughest to grab in painting and also one of the most difficult to apply effectively. It's not at all intuitive and almost antithetical to the idea most of us have of proper painting technique, which is to just blend everything, early and often. it's so helpful that you are applying the concept to comic book pencilling here. Thanks for helping us level up!

[@fRaNKiEb0NEz.]

You are my hero. I WISH and pray to God that I am able to draw just like you. I LOVE your channel and watch your videos religiously. Thank you for sharing your content. I even bought majority of your videos, which are VERY helpful.

[@kevinlegobrickmaster8015]

I don’t often keep up with this channel but this topic has hit me hook and just wanted to say thanks I’ve been burnt out for a very long time and your videos is bringing back that spark

[@MrArtblox]

Your work fascinates me.🎉🎉

[@rattyratrat899]

I randomly saw you at a booth at comic con and immediately got you to sign my comic. Keep up the good work!

[@vanillabean2348]

Man's a bloody genius

[@theartjedi]

Can’t wait to watch and learn!!

[@agas2793]

I think he's still unaware that his forearm construction was something that got a lot of us hooked onto his art lol

[@Zephyboi808]

Best comic artist ,I swear I love your art so much

[@burnout-d]

This video is so jam packed with info that I could only absorb by watching over and over for hours.. Great lecture! Thank you!

[@Dragnmastralex]

I like to mix sharp and soft based on pose and form. sometimes shadows and negative space are better than drawing in the details too.

[@alphinart]

Without a doubt best comic art tutorials on KZbin! ✍️ great vid!

[@Augurkel]

Just tried it, love it. Thank you.

[@HiddenHandMedia]

Perfect timing. I've been making this mistake and couldn't figure out my my figures looked a bit off. Thanks!!!

[@thehmc]

Yeah, the first one with the curved liines still looks the best.

[@jeromepeters9842]

David you're channel provides endless value for us.

[@DaveyDoodle]

David, this is the BEST channel! What you're teaching us is pure GOLD and you explain it at a pace that can be easily understood and absorbed. I'm definitely going to have to experiment with this technique! Thank you!!

[@Ambiensation-rm9qf]

This was insanely helpful. I’m such a fan. Thanks for doing this video.

[@crabby.artist]

There was a moment where he connected the bottom of the delt and I said out loud “ohhh” because it clicked for me😂😂

[@D0SS]

So glad a new videos out tired to watching the other ones over and over

[@GreenLanternPrime01]

David Finch is my art hero!

[@David-hu2zx]

Ah, this technique/trick is really going to help me...thank you!

[@dgrhm08]

Awesome. I experimented and tried breaking up the line to imply a line. Interesting effects as well. What I'm getting, in a nutshell, is try to avoid overly simple forms. Adding some "organic" element, like a line of beauty, creates a more visually appealing drawing.

[@dgrhm08]

Also, I'm experimenting by drawing non-humans as well. That opens up the creativity. Try drawing some elven wizards or eleven warriors. :)

[@extrememaybe1534]

Now that I've seen it I can't unsee it. This is AWESOME!!! Going to apply this technique today. Thank you

[@Clouds23x]

This is amazing! Best drawing channel on KZbin. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@sael5084]

Wish I could get as inspired too ❤

[@noosedgoose9382]

1000%

[@jangzterrizer9405]

I realized that the boxy line looks better in curvy one because it looks like it occupy form of space ( this part is on top of the other). While the curvy one is neat

[@johnsammers]

Thanks so much for this excellent teaching video. I will definitely do this exercise. ❤

[@comedrawcomicwithhc2385]

David, can you do a video solely for forearms? I mean, you explained it a few times in your videos but we need like an in depth and how to use shadows on it, I use some examples from other artists and anatomy books/photos, but if you can do a video, it’ll be more than helpful

[@4um360]

It’s always a joy to watch David Finch work. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@SheigonSheffield]

Thank you Mr. Finch.

[@nicolediponziano4086]

The title of this is not hyperbolic. I applied the line of beauty to my art for the first time and it immediately went to the next level. Thank you so much Dave for all you do for aspiring artists like myself!

[@derekmoore1387]

This is really helpful to see how you design shadow shapes.

[@derekmoore1387]

Like, Jeff Watts says draw what you see, ehat you know, and what you want to see. Idealization, and I have had a tough time simplifying from realism into more graphic shapes (better shape language), and this video really helped offer a path to solving the shape-line-language problem, so thank you for your instruction!

[@WebstersYouTube]

Something that struck me while watching, during your examples of opposing curves, before you started adding shadows, the lineart was very reminiscent of Freddie E Williams' work. I'd have never thought you guys had similar techniques and approaches based on your final outputs, but watching this shows me your styles share a lot of DNA.

[@adamcummings2419]

Dude! This is a game changer…thank you so much!

[@echopeakbicycling85]

Such a great demonstration, clearly presented. Thank you, for "freeing" me from believing I have to be a walking encyclopedia of anatomy and musculature. Just a good working knowledge and your "line of beauty" technique can make all the difference. The varying line shapes and weights are sure to liven up anyone's drawing. (And, yes, I followed along with the demonstration and was pleased with the results.)

[@matthubelart]

This might be the most helpful art video I’ve ever seen.

[@mathijsuittenbroek7764]

Thank you for sharing another great video David! Your lessons are very good and I have learned a lot from them. You explain your information in a very clear and comprehensive way. Not too much info and you repeat the important parts of your lessons many times (auditory and ofcourse visual). I also appreciate the length of these video's (15 to 20 minutes). It encourages me to draw, practice, and try out after watching the video. Keep sharing, you make a lot of people happy and greater in their work/hobby ❤. I hope I can score some of your comics on the Dutch Comic Con next saturday!

[@s.a.a.m3381]

Sir your drawings are so satisfying and fascinating, thank you very much for all your efforts.

[@barbarian9825]

Another great tutorial by the master himself ! Awesome ! Thanks Dave.

[@Tonydash23]

Awesome Dave , gonna give it a try

[@tylerrichlen3286]

It's funny to hear shape language used this way. In animation shape language is the the breakdown of the character shapes to tell a story or let you know at first glance what kind of character you are looking at. Building Ben Grimm out of squares to denote the power and strength, the leader out of triangles to denote the sharp villainous character etc. You see this even in comics. Sharp features vs soft features to denote kindly characters. You also use shape language in the opposing line shapes in animation and illustration: Straights vs curves is a classic example. Offset curves as well to make the characters more pleasing to the eye. Now the funny thing is in that example character you drew, regardless of the style you use on your lines to create a more personally interesting character, you used a lot of the shape language theories I spoke about to build that character's anatomy. The offset curves of the forearm, the sweeping curve of the interior of the forearm to the wrist and the more straightened line for the backside. These are all classic shape language tools used in animation and illustration and present themselves in real life everywhere which is why we use them and why we like to see them. It makes sense that the concept of shape language could be applied to the stylization of the line so this is a really cool take. Nice video as always.

[@vmtmakeart]

So well explained . Thank you !

[@Iggyshere]

Thank you for sharing this video. This one tip is one of the greatest. The Golden line of beauty 😊

[@devikumar2609]

Every time I watch your video I learn so much that I couldn’t find in a typical KZbin art video… thanks for sharing your knowledge and helping many people like myself … thanks again 🫡🙏🏻

[@AnInsanePersonNotFromTwitter]

This reminds me of old ZHC, I missed this type of stuff so much.

[@joseart6959]

This is pure gold!

[@npcnamedlaila6842]

dave is amazing

[@chiefrockerwakida2789]

I wish I would have learned this when I was a kid. Awesome. Thank you.

[@tonyross6309]

Very helpful video. I enjoy your art, and I appreciate your teaching style. You've got a terrific knack for breaking down your process into simple terms. Thanks for sharing!

[@rudranshbhati4786]

Sir I have learned a lot from your videos

[@TheRabbiosi]

Yay you’re back!!!

[@pango4747]

Awesome Dave, this is the video I’ve been waiting for. I’ve had so much trouble blocking in my shadows and couldn’t figure out why yours looked so much better. Thanks.

[@Anivia92]

Thank you David for always being awesome!

[@nicolaspinceloup3446]

I tried it for two minutes and I feel like it’s already ingrained in me ! Thanks a lot ! Love your channel :)

[@eduardoocampo6255]

Thank you David

[@paulisarts]

I'm not sure if I've learned this before, but it's something I've seemed to naturally develop and implement in my own work.

[@тимурдолгов-ф2г]

simple but very cool. thank you!

[@morgue1484]

everything you said up until 1:18 made sense

[@ledbowman]

first one looks best

[@artfromitalo]

Using these techniques, learned pretty quickly after a few tries. It really is helping with a drawing I’m already working on! Love learning more and more techniques when it comes to comic style drawings 🫶🏼✍️

[@Helena_sonzshin]

I was going to sleep and i see you uploaded a new video and i was like hell no i going to watch this even if i have wake up early You’re the best comic book artist

[@gamerlegend2568]

I love ur art 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾please post consistently 🥺

[@ianjenkins3183]

Drawing along with this video was very helpful, thank you :)

[@IRLlosersQ]

Just when I was about to draw some muscles lol. Very good tips, helped me out a lot.

[@motihadad6355]

Another amazing video! this helped me a lot because when drew an arm it looked like something was missing or my anatomy wasn't that good. this video showed me that this simple trick can bring my anatomy drawings to be far more better! thanks David

[@TK-421_66]

Priceless content as always.

[@storybyosmosis]

Awesome. Thanks Dave! This has pointed out something substantial in addition to the things we've learned from your process so far.

[@dougg1075]

Now ya tell me! Back to the drawing board:)