- Mar 3, 2017
How to Draw Smooth Lines
- Dorian
- 0 comments
The Three M’s
Many artists struggle with drawing clean, smooth lines. This post will give you some pointers to acquiring this ability and explain why it’s about more than just body mechanics.
Naturally flowing lines require at least three things. Let’s call them the Three M’s of Smooth Lines:
Movement
Mindset
Materials
Movement
Lines are born from the movement of our body. The way you move dictates the line you create. Smooth lines come from smooth movements. Think of it like a long lever. In drawing, this lever stretches from the pencil tip to your pivot point—your shoulder, elbow, wrist, or fingers.
Choose your pivot point based on the line length. For long lines, pivot from your shoulder, using your whole arm. For shorter lines, rotate from your elbow, wrist, or fingers. Jittery lines usually mean your lever is too short.
Summary: Use the right joint! Long lines need a long lever.
Joints/pivots in the body.
Mindset
Ever noticed how tense you get when someone watches you draw? This fear—of failure, judgment, or not being good enough—kills your flow.
When wrapped up in fear, you can't think, feel, or even breathe properly. Focus on the fear, and good work becomes almost impossible.
Relaxed focus is key to drawing lines that are full of life. Develop the skill of releasing tension in your body and mind, for example with my article on HRV training. Or read more about developing somatic awareness and responding to fears with a growth mindset.
Summary: Fear leads to stiff lines. Practice becoming more aware and courageous.
Materials
Focusing on Movement and Mindset brings lasting improvements. However, the right tools can also help you understand "smoothness" and encourage a long lever. Each tool has its pros and cons. Experiment to see what works for you.
Summary: Know your tools and use the right one for the job.
Traditional:
Pencil extender: Extend nearly used-up pencils or charcoal sticks to lengthen the lever.
Long brushes: Paint more broadly and fluidly with long brushes.
Digital:
Hej Stylus (Mac OS): A beautifully designed stylus control for Mac.
Lazy Nezumi (Windows): System-wide mouse and pen smoothing for Windows.