Introduction

In this tutorial we will learn to make a comic style illustration, using only the vector tools for it. It is a simple way to achieve a satisfactory lineart and shading and have a good finish.

 

The tutorial is aimed at artists with a basic or intermediate level, and explains step by step the different tools that Clip Studio Paint puts at our disposal to work with vector lines.

 

The advantages of using vectors are multiple. On the one hand, the possibility of its edition allows to obtain very good results without having an advanced domain of digital drawing. On the other hand, the nature of the vectors allows the image to be enlarged or reduced without losing the quality of the line.

Let's get started!

To start working with vectors, click on “New vector layer”.

You can also select "Vector Layer" under "New Layer" in the "Layer" section of the taskbar.

If you use this last method, you can make some adjustments to the layer before opening it, such as name, expression color and combination mode.

This command will create a new layer where each line we make will be made in vector format.

Then start drawing the line of your drawing. To do this, you can use any of the Clip Studio Paint tools. In this example, we will use the "Pen G" interchangeably, included by default in the program, and the "Continuous curve".

You can delete the lines you don't like with the “Rubber” tool. If you use any of the rubbers that Clip Studio Paint offers you, you will eliminate those areas where your eraser passes.

The program also offers a specific function to delete vectors in a special way. You can use this function whenever you are in a vector layer, by checking the "Vector draft" option. With this, you can choose between deleting the touched areas, deleting until the intersection between lines, or deleting the global line.

Stylize your lineart with "Control Point"

Once you have the line of your finished drawing, click on “Line Correction” to access the correction tools, which will allow you to adjust the line easily and quickly to give your lineart a more stylized look.

Clip Studio Paint offers you a plurality of tools to make this job much easier. Although you can use them in the order you prefer, in this tutorial we will use the “Control Point” first, while the others will be explained later. You can also help yourself with the “Operation” tool, although in this tutorial we will explain it in the last point.

With "Control Point", you can modify the geometric points that make up your vector in different ways. Thus, depending on the process you select in your menu, you can move existing points, add new points, delete them, alternate those considered corner, modify the width of the line at the selected point, correct the density, or cut the line.

Work with these media in the way you like best. One tip is that you use the “Remove control points” tool to reduce their quantity, so that it is easier for you to work with them. You can also use the “Simplify line” tool to carry out this process faster but less controlled. This function will be explained in the next point of this tutorial.

With the “Modify line width” tool, adjust the thickness of the line at those points you want. One recommendation is that you make the thinnest line in the places where the light hits, and thicker in the shadow areas.

Keep modifying the vectors with the mentioned tools until you get a result that satisfies you.

Perfect your lineart with "Line Correction"

Next, adjust the line with the other “Line Correction” tools.

With “Pinch line”, you can alter the line as if you were pinching it with the pointer.

 

With “Simplify line”, you can modify the line to reduce the control points that configure it.

 

With “Connect line”, you can link two lines that are initially separated.

 

With “Redraw line” or with “Redraw width”, you can modify the line or its width by tracing over it.

 

With “Modify line width”, you can alter the size of the line as a whole.

 

Use the exposed tools to perfect your lineart in the way you like best. One tip is to modify the line width to homogenize all the lines that make up your drawing. To do this, select if you want to increase, reduce, modify the width, or repair it, and adjust the size you want to do it. Then select the lines of your drawing that you want to modify.

Start shading!

Once you get the result you want for your lineart, it's time to start shading. You can use the vectors to get a hard shading, similar to the inking of a comic. To do this, we will use the same tools that have already been discussed in the previous points of this tutorial.

 

First, make the shadow lines with the tool you want. For this example, the "Pen G" that we have used before has been used.

Then, modify the lines with the tools included in “Line Correction”.

 

A little trick to give that appearance of ink is to make straight lines next to the shadow lines. Modify the width of these lines so that the shadowed end is wider and the lighter is narrower. This will achieve an effect similar to that left by the ends of a brush.

Re-adjust the lineart as necessary to fit the shadow until you get a result you like.

Last touches with "Operation"

Throughout the mentioned process you can use the “Operation” tool, although in this tutorial we will explain it at this point. To work with vectors the way we are doing it, we will only need to use the tools included in “Object”.

Select the line you wish to edit. If you can't do it, check that “Vector” is marked as a selectable object.

The selection will open a new menu with various tools that will allow you to edit the lines you have already made.

These tools will allow you to modify the color of the line, its size, or the brush with which it is drawn. You can also move the line, rotate it or scale it by dragging the cursor after selecting the desired operation.

Make the adjustments you want and finish your drawing by giving it a little touch of color. In this way, we will have our illustration complete!