SKETCH LINE QUALITY - three tips

Line Quality in Sketching
- What is it and why is it important? Three tips

Line quality is basically a combination of three qualities to the line-work that makes up a sketch - line form, application and weight :-

1. Line Form

The most important thing is that the form and shape of lines is definite enough to work with. If the line doesn't look right you can change and refine it slightly until it does, but you need to have a reasonably definite line in the first place before it can be modified. 

The character of the line should work well with the rest of the design and for the most part suggest taught strength or tension. A basic example of this can be illustrated if you take a thin strip of strong but flexible construction material like certain plastics, wood or aluminium. If you bend it slightly you will see how it curves quite evenly in an arc. The more you continue to bend it however you will see that the building tension causes the curve to change in certain areas, getting tighter in the middle and staying shallow towards each end. This is roughly the effect you are trying to emulate with the lines on a car's bodywork because it suggests a combination of strength and potential movement, or tension. If you bend a strip of weaker, non-construction material, like paper or fabric, you will see how the profile curve becomes uneven and wobbly. This unevenness is what you should usually try to avoid in the lines of a car's bodywork because it suggests weakness. 

One of the ways to make it more likely your lines have good form and "tension" is to use a curve template, but the freehand skill to do this should be developed as well to enable good fluent rough sketching.

2. Line Application

Every designer has their own way of physically drawing a line so that it not only has the right form but also looks good. This is similar to how good handwriting is not only readable but also neat and attractive. Also like handwriting, it will be unique to the individual so when sketching lines you will need to just concentrate on your own technique. 

There are some things to aim for however which good line qualities should include. For example, making a continuous curve look like it has been drawn as continuously. This means avoiding "furry" lines which are clearly made up of many smaller marks. To avoid this you need to draw lines that can come from the movement of your whole upper-body, not just your drawing hand. Starting at the waist, you can move the pencil without even moving your arm. Working from here onto the shoulder, elbow, then wrist and finally the joints in your fingers, you can find the control and combination of movements that will give you smooth lines. Generally, you should lock out your wrist and fingers for larger curves, and draw from the shoulder and elbow. Use wrist and finger movements for finer detail and smaller curves.

3. Line Weight

Varying the weight of a line makes it appear more natural and organic. A line that doesn't vary in thickness or darkness almost looks like it could have been applied by a machine with no emotion, and design sketches should contain some emotion as part of the design communication. Also, give the line an appropriate strength and darkness relative to the rest of the sketch. Line weight should change to reflect the importance of the line in the design. For example, you might draw an imaginary centre-line or contours on your design to help explain the form. If you draw these as strongly as "real" features it could create confusion as to what is a part of the actual vehicle and what is just explanation or construction. Stronger lines can also be used in the focal point of the sketch to draw the attention of the viewer. 

If you are sketching just for an underlay guide, for yourself to understand your design or find solutions, then the attractiveness of the sketch is less important but don't forget that the final result will depend largely on the initial lines and the ability to draw quality lines will also enhance your rendering skills.  

I hope that contained some useful information for you. An illustrated article will be appearing before too long to further clarify some of the points. I am writing these articles based on the work and questions I am receiving so please let me know if you have any specific ideas for future articles.

all the best,

Miles

House ID Ltd, 95 Eastgate, Sleaford, NG34 7EE, UNITED KINGDOM



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