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István Szép

If you like to create  line art illustrations, or would like to learn how to digitize your drawings, this course is for you.

Inkscape offers a free and flexible vector graphics solution to every illustrator, but this course is all about creating line art. 

During this course:

Read more

If you like to create  line art illustrations, or would like to learn how to digitize your drawings, this course is for you.

Inkscape offers a free and flexible vector graphics solution to every illustrator, but this course is all about creating line art. 

During this course:

  • We start with understanding how  tracing bitmap works, and how to trace your freehand drawings automatically to get the best results. 

  • Than we learn and understand  the Bezier tool and the path editor and create a geometric city illustration.

  • After this we practice these tools further  by vectorizing  a hand drawn sketch about a cute cartoon character.

  • Later, to achieve absolute  mastery with the Bezier tool, we turn a simple photo into a trendy one-line illustration.

  • And finally you will learn to design your own custom brushes and use them to create a free hand illustration in Inkscape.

If you want to digitize your line art, or draw vector illustrations from scratch, join  me today and learn these fundamental vector graphic tools.

Create your own vector line art with Inkscape now.

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Attention: this course is aimed towards beginners, but instead of covering every tool in Inkscape, we rather focus on the ones we use to create line art vector illustrations.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Digitize your hand drawn artwork with inkscape
  • Create different type of vector line art illustrations
  • Master the bezier tool and the path editor like a real illustrator!
  • Creating and using organic custom brushes in inkscape

Syllabus

Tracing bitmap with Inkscape
How to import images and use the trace bitmap function
Tracing options in Inkscape - centerline tracing example
Learning the Bezier tool and the path editor
Read more
Getting familiar with the Bezier tool (Pen tool) and creating some icons
Drawing a geometrical city illustration with the Bezier tool and the path editor
Drawing a geometrical city illustration - Part 2
Digitizing a hand drawn cartoon character in Inkscape using the Bezier tool
Digitizing a hand drawn cartoon character - Part 2
Create a one line portrait to master the Pen tool in Inkscape
Create a one line portrait in Inkscape - Part 2
Creating and using custom brushes in Inkscape
Create custom brushes in Inkscape
Draw a whale using custom brushes in Inkscape
Draw a whale using custom vector brushes in Inkscape - Part 2

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Create vector line art illustrations with Inkscape with these activities:
Practice Basic Drawing Techniques
Practice fundamental drawing skills to improve your ability to create and digitize artwork in Inkscape. This will make tracing and vectorizing easier.
Browse courses on Sketching
Show steps
  • Practice basic shapes and forms.
  • Experiment with different line weights and shading techniques.
  • Draw from reference images to improve accuracy.
Read 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain'
Improve your drawing skills by learning to perceive shapes and forms accurately. This will help you create better line art in Inkscape.
Show steps
  • Read the book and complete the drawing exercises.
  • Focus on the techniques for perceiving edges and spaces.
  • Apply these techniques to your Inkscape projects.
Bezier Tool Exercises
Master the Bezier tool by practicing drawing various shapes and curves. This will improve your precision and control when creating line art.
Show steps
  • Draw simple geometric shapes using the Bezier tool.
  • Practice creating smooth curves and complex paths.
  • Recreate existing line art illustrations using the Bezier tool.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Read 'Vector Graphics and Illustration: A Technical Manual'
Expand your knowledge of vector graphics principles and techniques. This will help you create more professional and visually appealing line art.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
  • Experiment with different vector graphics techniques in Inkscape.
  • Apply these techniques to your line art projects.
Create a Line Art Tutorial
Solidify your understanding of line art creation by creating a tutorial for others. This will force you to think critically about the process and identify best practices.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific line art technique to focus on.
  • Create a step-by-step guide with clear instructions and visuals.
  • Share your tutorial online and gather feedback.
Vectorize a Complex Image
Challenge yourself by vectorizing a complex image with intricate details. This will test your skills and help you develop advanced techniques.
Show steps
  • Select a high-resolution image with many details.
  • Break down the image into smaller, manageable sections.
  • Use the Bezier tool and other Inkscape tools to vectorize each section.
  • Refine the vectorized image and add finishing touches.
Contribute to Inkscape Documentation
Deepen your understanding of Inkscape by contributing to its documentation. This will require you to research and explain various features and techniques.
Show steps
  • Identify areas in the Inkscape documentation that need improvement.
  • Research the relevant features and techniques.
  • Write clear and concise documentation updates.
  • Submit your contributions to the Inkscape project.

Career center

Learners who complete Create vector line art illustrations with Inkscape will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Illustrator
An illustrator creates visual content for various media, and this course directly aligns with the core skills needed in this profession. This course teaches you to digitize drawings and master vector graphics using Inkscape. You'll learn to trace bitmaps, use the Bezier tool, and create custom brushes, all essential for producing high quality illustrations. Someone pursuing a career as an illustrator may find that this course provides practical experience in creating line art, a frequently used style in illustration, and the course may help you build a strong portfolio. It can teach you how to transform simple photos and sketches into professional looking vector illustrations.
Graphic designer
A graphic designer creates visual concepts to communicate ideas, and this course can enhance those skills, particularly in the realm of vector graphics. This course focuses on creating line art illustrations using Inkscape, teaching you to digitize drawings, master the Bezier tool, and create custom brushes. These are useful skills for any graphic designer who wants to expand their capabilities in vector based design. Specifically, the lessons on tracing bitmaps and creating one line portraits may be useful in creating unique design elements. This course may increase your proficiency in creating visually appealing and effective designs.
Logo Designer
A logo designer specializes in creating visual identities for brands, and vector graphics are fundamental to logo design. This course, which teaches you to create vector line art illustrations with Inkscape, may be directly applicable to this career. The course emphasizes the Bezier tool and path editor, which are critical for creating precise and scalable logos. You may find the modules on geometric city illustrations and digitizing hand drawn cartoon characters helpful in developing unique and memorable logo concepts. Learning to create custom brushes can add a distinctive touch to your logo designs. This course helps you develop the skills to create professional and versatile logos.
Digital Artist
A digital artist creates artwork using digital tools, and this Inkscape course may be directly relevant to honing specific skills. The course focuses on creating line art illustrations, teaching you to digitize drawings, master the Bezier tool, and create custom brushes. For a digital artist, understanding how to create vector graphics can unlock new creative possibilities. The course provides hands on practice in vectorizing sketches and creating trendy one line illustrations. This course can improve your proficiency in using Inkscape as part of your digital art workflow.
Web Designer
Web designers need proficiency in creating visually appealing and functional websites. While web design involves many facets, this course on vector line art illustrations may provide a valuable skill set for creating graphics and icons. This course may equip you with the skills to create custom brushes and use the Bezier tool, enabling you to produce unique design elements for websites. The emphasis on digitizing hand drawn artwork can also be beneficial for incorporating original, hand crafted designs. This course can supplement your web design skills with the ability to create engaging visual content.
Animator
Animators bring characters and stories to life through moving images, and this course may be particularly useful for creating vector based animation assets. This course teaches you to create line art illustrations using Inkscape, focusing on digitizing drawings and mastering the Bezier tool. The skills learned in this course may be applicable to creating characters and backgrounds for 2D animation. The ability to create custom brushes can add unique textures and details to your animation. This course may improve your ability to create high quality vector graphics for animation projects.
Print Designer
Print designers create layouts and artwork for printed materials such as books, magazines, and posters. This course, which focuses on creating vector line art illustrations with Inkscape, may be helpful for producing high quality graphics for print media. The course emphasizes mastering the Bezier tool, which is crucial for creating precise and scalable designs suitable for printing. The lessons on digitizing hand drawn artwork and creating custom brushes may be useful for adding unique elements to your print designs. This course helps develop skills for creating professional looking print materials.
Game Artist
Game artists create the visual assets for video games, and this course may contribute to specific skills related to 2D game art. This course teaches you to create vector line art illustrations using Inkscape, focusing on digitizing drawings and mastering the Bezier tool. The skills learned in this course can be beneficial for creating icons, user interface elements, and other 2D assets for games. The ability to create geometric city illustrations and cartoon characters may be useful in developing game environments and characters. This course helps refine your skills in creating vector graphics suitable for game development.
Textile Designer
Textile designers create patterns and designs for fabrics, and this course exploring vector line art illustrations can be useful for developing intricate designs. The course focuses on creating line art using Inkscape, where you learn to digitize drawings and create custom brushes. These skills may allow you to create unique and scalable patterns for textiles. The ability to create one line portraits and geometric illustrations can inspire distinctive designs. This course supplements your skills in creating visually appealing and repeatable textile patterns.
Product Designer
A product designer focuses on the form and function of products, and this course on vector line art may be useful for creating visual representations and illustrations of product concepts. The course focuses on mastering the Bezier tool and creating precise vector graphics using Inkscape. This may aid in creating detailed technical drawings and illustrative renderings of products. The ability to digitize hand drawn sketches can streamline the design process. This course supplements your capabilities in visualizing and communicating product designs effectively.
Architectural Drafter
Architectural drafters create technical drawings and plans for buildings. While specialized software is common, this course on vector line art illustrations may be useful for creating detailed diagrams and presentations. The course emphasizes mastering the Bezier tool and creating precise geometric illustrations using Inkscape. These skills can be applied to creating supplementary diagrams, site plans, and presentation materials. The focus on vector graphics ensures that drawings are scalable and clear. This course can supplement your skills in creating professional and informative architectural visuals.
Fashion Designer
Fashion designers create clothing and accessories, and this course on vector line art illustrations may be useful for creating technical sketches and illustrations. The course may help you learn to digitize drawings and create precise vector graphics using Inkscape, skills valuable for creating detailed garment specifications and design mockups. The emphasis on the Bezier tool can aid in accurately representing garment shapes and details. This course can help supplement your skills in communicating your design ideas effectively and professionally.
Technical Illustrator
Technical illustrators create diagrams and visuals for technical documentation. While specialized software is often used, this vector line art illustrations course may be helpful in certain contexts. The course focuses on mastering the Bezier tool and creating precise vector graphics using Inkscape. The ability to create geometric illustrations and digitize hand drawn sketches can be beneficial for creating clear and accurate technical diagrams. This course may supplement your skills in creating visuals that support technical communication.
Cartographer
Cartographers create maps, and this course may be useful for understanding and creating vector based map elements. The course focuses on creating line art illustrations with Inkscape, and teaches you to use the Bezier tool and create custom brushes. These skills allow you to create precise and stylized map symbols and features. The ability to create geometric illustrations may be useful for representing urban areas or terrains. This course may help enhance your ability to create visually appealing and informative maps.
Data Visualization Specialist
Data visualization specialists create visual representations of data, and this course may be useful for creating custom charts and graphs. The course focuses on creating line art illustrations using Inkscape, which teaches you to create vector graphics and master the Bezier tool. These skills may be applicable to creating unique and informative data visualizations that go beyond standard charting tools. The ability to create geometric illustrations may be helpful for representing complex data relationships. This may help your ability to create engaging data visuals.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Create vector line art illustrations with Inkscape.
Teaches you how to draw what you actually see, rather than what you think you see. It classic guide to unlocking your artistic potential. The exercises in this book can greatly improve your ability to create accurate and expressive line art, which is essential for this course. It is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference.
Provides a comprehensive overview of vector graphics principles and techniques. It covers a wide range of topics, including color theory, typography, and composition. While not specific to Inkscape, it offers valuable insights that can enhance your understanding of vector illustration. It is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference.

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