An outline is the strength of a good illustration. A properly outlined illustration makes your work easier to navigate. It also makes the colouring process less strenuous.

Outlines can be categorised as bounding lines and suggestive lines.

Bounding lines are the main outlines that defines shape or form. They serve as guides in colouring. Bounding lines are the main outline and are usually close ended for ease in colouring.

Suggestive lines are little lines within a Bounding line that is aimed at adding a few details into the illustration. These might include wrinkles or facial lines, crease on clothes, ripples, etc. They make the colouring process easier by cutting down to many details.

The illustrations below is an example . The lips, the details in the ear and the eyes are all rendered in suggestive lines, while the other lines are the bounding lines.

Like earlier stated, a good outline guarantees easy colouring.

I use Photoshop pen tool to do my outlines. It's easier and faster. There is also an option of creating pen pressure to make your outlines smooth and fluid.

You can also outline on Adobe illustrator, Corel draw or Adobe flash. Virtually all design software have pen tool or other good tools to aid the outlining process.

If you have a Wacom tablet it is much easier, but this steps will benefit those who use mouse.

Filling in your colours becomes easier.

And in no time. Your work is done.
I was able to finish this colouring in less than 45mins with mouse(not exaggerating). All thanks to a good outline.

If you will like to learn more on illustration, outlining and colouring, feel free to comment.

Please continue...

Thanks for this...

LMandela:
Please continue...

Thanks for this...

Welcome bro,

Its encouraging to see my post is helpful.

I will add more tips as time permits .

My next post will be on vector illustration or icon art.

yuncka:
If you will like to learn more on illustration, outlining and colouring, feel free to comment.

continue bro

Please how do I use pressure sensitivity on illustrator without wacom tablet

yuncka:


Welcome bro,

Its encouraging to see my post is helpful.

I will add more tips as time permits .

My next post will be on vector illustration or icon art.

Please how do I use pressure sensitivity on illustrator without wacom tablet

Marvel1206:
Please how do I use pressure sensitivity on illustrator without wacom tablet

Hello Marvel,
I use Photoshop for my outlining. But for the pen pressure settings in illustrator, follow the instructions ( I copied it from a webpage)..



Step 1
Connect your graphics tablet to your computer. Launch Illustrator.

Step 2
Click the brushes icon in the right-hand toolbar to open the Brushes palette window. Double-click the brush you want to use to open its options window.

Step 3
Click the "Diameter" drop-down menu and click "Pressure." Click the "Angle" and "Roundness" drop-down menus, and click "Pressure" for each, if desired.

Step 4
Click "OK" to close the options window and turn on pen pressure in Illustrator.

Tell me if it helps.

yuncka:


Hello Marvel,
I use Photoshop for my outlining. But for the pen pressure settings in illustrator, follow the instructions ( I copied it from a webpage)..



Step 1
Connect your graphics tablet to your computer. Launch Illustrator.

Step 2
Click the brushes icon in the right-hand toolbar to open the Brushes palette window. Double-click the brush you want to use to open its options window.

Step 3
Click the "Diameter" drop-down menu and click "Pressure." Click the "Angle" and "Roundness" drop-down menus, and click "Pressure" for each, if desired.

Step 4
Click "OK" to close the options window and turn on pen pressure in Illustrator.

Tell me if it helps.

Actually, the tablet is the problem. How do you outline with photoshop

Marvel1206:

Actually, the tablet is the problem. How do you outline with photoshop

It can be done by freehand, you have to set your brush well.

The other alternative is the use of pen tool, this will work well if you are very conversant with using pen tool .

Other ways I explored is with Corel draw and Adobe Flash. They have brush smoothening functions that make your strokes more fluid like a pen pressure. Sometimes I create my outlines over there and save as PNG to work on Photoshop.

Marvel1206:

Actually, the tablet is the problem. How do you outline with photoshop

To achieve pressure sensitivity using pen tool on mouse;,

*Use pen tool to do your tracing.
*Choose a normal basic brush.
*On the brush preset menu, check "shape dynamics."
*Go back to your pen tool, right click on the work and select stroke path.
*Then check "simulate pressure" on the pop up that follows. Then click ok.


I used pen tool to outline the boy and the man illustrations below. The cartoon character was outlined on flash.
The signature on the illustration was created on coreldraw with mouse ...