Subtitles in various languages are available for the video, so please watch it with subtitles displayed.A 10x speed video of the entire drawing process is included at the end of this TIP.

For a Japanese explanation, please refer to my blog, which is easier to read.

It's convenient to draw line art on a vector layer

When drawing clear and sharp line art, like in manga or anime,it's more convenient to draw on a vector layer, which has superior editing functions, rather than a raster layer.

In this TIP, focusing on vector layer editing, I will draw the line art of this girl with glasses while introducing CLIP STUDIO's various transformation features.

Introduction to useful features for drawing line art 1 [Vector Line Pinch]

Before starting to draw, I will introduce a series of useful features and tools for drawing line art, along with tips on how to use them.

The first is [Vector Line Pinch] under [Tool]-[Correct Line].It's a tool that lets you move a drawn line as if pinching it with your fingers.

It's used to fine-tune a line when you've drawn it well but it's slightly off.It's convenient because you don't have to redraw the line, which saves time.It's useful for soft curves like faces, hair, and natural objects.In the example below, it's used to align hair ends and slightly shift the position of cheeks and jaw.

Introduction to useful features for drawing line art 2 [Correct Line Width]

Next is [Correct Line Width Tool], also under [Correct Line].It's a tool that changes the thickness of a traced line.It's used when you want to change only the thickness while keeping the line's shape.It saves the trouble of overlapping lines or erasing them with an eraser, making it convenient. [Correct Line Width] can be used on raster layers in the latest version, but vector layers allow for cleaner corrections.

I duplicate this tool and create two types of settings: one for thickening the entire vector and one for thinning only the traced part, using them according to the situation.

When I want to emphasize the outline, I thicken the line,

and when I want to create a delicate impression, such as for hair, or express highlights, I thin the line.

The settings for the thickening tool on the left are [Scale by specified ratio] [1.20] [Process whole line] ON,and the settings for the thinning tool on the right are [Shrink by specified ratio] [0.80] [Process whole line] OFF.By thickening the entire line and then thinning only the traced parts, you can add variation to the line.This is used to adjust a line when it has a good shape and position but the thickness is off.

Introduction to useful features for drawing line art 3 [Select vectors in selection area]

The third feature is [Select vectors in selection area] from the [Selection] menu.You can select multiple vectors that touch the selection area.Please note that this feature is located in the [Selection] menu bar at the top of CLIP STUDIO (where [File] and [Edit] are), not in the [Selection] tool itself.Although vector lines can be selected multiple times with the object tool alone,it's harder to pinpoint, so using this feature is more convenient for editing only the desired vectors.

The editing process is as follows:I. Create a selection area using the [Lasso] tool or [Selection Pen] tool so that it covers the vectors you want to edit.II. Apply [Select vectors in selection area] from the [Selection] menu.III. The tool automatically switches to the [Object] tool, and you can transform or scale it.It's convenient to register [Select vectors in selection area] as a shortcut, in Quick Access, or in the Selection Launcher.

With this feature, you can scale multiple vector lines,

transform them,

move them,

change brush sizes all at once,

or separate layers.

These are difficult tasks on raster layers, requiring precise selection areas,but with this feature on vector layers, it can be done easily in an instant.

Since vector transformation methods are set in the Object tool,I prepare two Object tools andswitch between two transformation methods, [Free Transform] and [Control Point & Scale/Rotate],depending on the situation.

When you [Select vectors in selection area], it preferentially switches to the Object tool located at the top of the [Sub Tool window].In my case, I keep the frequently used Free Transform Object tool at the top of the [Sub Tool window],and when I want to scale/rotate, I select the Object tool below it beforehandand then use [Select vectors in selection area].It's a bit complicated, but this method is easier and faster than changing the transformation method every time.

Introduction to useful features for drawing line art 4 [Getting double line art with vector transformation]

Next, a small trick using vector transformation.When transforming from the [Edit] menu, if you transform while holding [Alt], it transforms from the center. However, if you try to transform multiple selected vectors with the [Object] tool while holding [Alt], the tool switches to [Eyedropper].Therefore, to transform vectors from the center, you need to change a setting slightly.In the Object [Tool Property] settings, change [Alt] under [Modifier Key] to [None].If it remains [Common], the tool will switch to [Eyedropper], so be sure to change it to [None].

By copying and pasting the selected vector and transforming it while holding [Alt], you can scale it from the center like this,allowing you to create double line art without a ruler.Although not used this time, it's very useful when drawing buttons, machinery, firearms, windows, and more.

Introduction to useful features for drawing line art 5 [Batch Erase Vector Lines]

When working with vector line art using the intersection eraser, small vector debris can accumulate.It's tedious to erase each one individually, but you can use [Select vectors in selection area] and then[Edit] menu > [Delete] to erase them all at once.

Introduction to useful features for drawing line art 6 [Pseudo-eraser with transparent color]

For vector layers, the eraser can be less intuitive than on raster layers,and some people might find it a deterrent.For those individuals, drawing with transparent color instead of an eraser can make it look like you've erased.

It's not actually erased, but rather hidden.It's a somewhat strange specification, but it works perfectly fine and is convenient, so I use it often.That concludes the explanation of the tools used for line art.I have all these tools set up as shortcuts and constantly switch between them when drawing line art.Now, let's actually draw the line art using these tools and features.

Drawing a rough sketch using transformations 1

I will draw the rough sketch using all the transformation features learned so far.

I'm adjusting the position and fullness of the cheeks with [Vector Line Pinch].

I'm transforming the collar to follow the 3D structure of the neck.

By using transformations as frequently as you would a regular pen or eraser, the entire drawing process becomes easier.

The relationship between the neck and shoulders looks strange, so I'm selecting and moving the body lines.Such movements often work well when done piece by piece, like at joints or body segments.

The skull seemed too wide, so I'm transforming and shrinking the line art of the entire head.This way, I persistently find and correct any points of concern, aiming to make it closer to a beautiful girl.

The basic prototype is complete.

Line Art 01 [Glasses]

Now that the rough sketch is mostly done, I'll gradually draw the line art.For the glasses, I draw lines with the curve tool, then add control points by right-clicking to increase the curves,and adjust them to the rough sketch using vector transformation.Man-made objects with many curves are where vectors excel the most.

Line Art 02 [Pose Change]

It's mostly drawn, but the pose is a bit too rigid and not very cute,so I decided to change it to a slightly mischievous, head-tilted pose.

Select the hair, face, glasses, and hand layers all at once by holding SHIFT, then rotate them.Since vector transformations cannot be applied to multiple layers,here I am using the regular [Transform/Rotate] from the [Edit] menu.

I'm adjusting the arm position and neck height to match the changed pose.The hair around the glasses felt a bit cluttered, so I'm erasing it.

Line Art 03 [Hair and Mouth Change]

The hair lacked movement and wasn't cute, so I redrew the rough sketch to make it look like it's flowing in the wind.I also made the mouth a bit pointed for a cuter look.

Line Art 04 [Hand Change]

The hand pose was unclear, so I'm refining it while changing it to a cuter pose.

In areas where lines are concentrated, such as around the fingers, the [Select vectors in selection area] tool is very useful. It's incredibly convenient as you can transform individual parts like fingers and palms.

Line Art 05 [Hair Adjustment]

Finally, I will draw the hair.

The flow of hair strands can also be adjusted very efficiently with vector transformation.Also, before starting to clean up the line art, I convert the hair's vector layer to a raster layer here, using [Layer] menu > [Convert Layer].This is because if the rough sketch remains a vector layer, the rough sketch vector and the clean line art vector would interfere when drawing line art over it and using the eraser.By the way, [Convert Layer] can also convert from a raster layer to a vector layer.I often use this feature when extracting lines drawn with a pattern brush as vectors for backgrounds.

After that, I'm adjusting the hair's flow with [Edit] menu > [Transform] > [Mesh Transformation].Increasing the number of grids makes it easier to adjust curves.

The hair was flowing a bit too much in the wind, so I used transformations to give it a calmer look.

I adjusted the braided parts of the hair similarly.The braided hair parts are on separate layers with a white background layer,to prevent them from overlapping with the hair behind.Keeping overlapping parts like this makes it easier to move or transform them later.

Line Art 06 [Overall Hair]

I will draw the entire hair.

I separate the hair into front and back layers,and similar to the braided hair part, I add a white background to the front hair,to prevent it from overlapping with the back hair.This not only prepares for transformations and movements but also allows me to draw the back hair freely without worrying about overlaps.

Line Art 07 [Adjusting Hair Thickness]

The line art turned out like this.The hair seems a bit thick, so I'll thin it with line width correction.

Line Art 08 [Eyelids]

Finally, I draw the eyes. I want to create a soft impression, so I draw white eyelashes.

Line Art 09 [Adding Outlines]

Finally, I add outlines.First, create a new layer. Next, create a selection area around the girl, and add outlines using [Edit] menu > [Outline Selection] > [Draw outside].At this point, if you also create a white background mask with the selection area, it will be convenient when combining with the background.Similar effects can be achieved with [Layer Property] > [Border Effect], but this method is more suitable when you want to thicken or erase parts of the outline.

Complete

Add some light shadow tones, and it's complete!

Line art using vector transformations, once you get used to it, allows you to draw efficiently, enjoyably, and quickly.I encourage everyone to give it a try.However, it's not necessary to draw all line art on vector layers; it's best to use them selectively depending on the situation.

Full drawing process of this line art (10x speed)

Here is a 10x speed video of the entire drawing process for this line art.There are no explanations, but if you want to see any part in more detail, please look for it here.