Hi!

I'm currently drawing/tracing a cartoon-like character and trying to figure out the best way to do it.
The reference image I've done (in Gimp) is only a sketch and a lot of drawing of details is stil required. My plan was to do this detailed work in Inkscape directly but I'm still looking for the best way to do it.

If I had a detailed drawing already done I would simply trace the lines using the pen tool. No problems!

But now I'm experimenting with the pencil (freehand) and the calligraphic tool but the end result is an image with tens of thousands of nodes which makes it very difficult to refine and alter. My last idea is to do this and then press "simplify" to reduce the number of nodes before doing the tweaking.

Is this a good approach or is there a better way of working?
Should I "complete" the image in Gimp before tracing?

Hi.

It's not really necessary, but if it's more confortable for you...
There are many ways to skin the cat.

Can you post an example image here, what kind of style are you after?

Lazur URH, my savior!

This is kind of the style I'm looking for:



If you look at the black "outlines" and detail. I want to achieve the same effect of varying thickness and smoothness.
For me it is impossible to achieve this without the node editor.
I'm no epic artist... yet...

But since the image has a lot of details I would still like to start of with my best attempt, using the quicker calligraphic tool or pencil freehand tool . This also gives me more overview than trying to capture and design all those details with the pen tool . When finished with my attempt, I would like to adjust and correct where it's not perfect. (this last part is sadly VERY necessary)

How would you draw a figure like this from scratch?

BTW, I've had pretty good progress tonight using the technique I described earlier.
1. Plot all the black areas as best as I can using the calligraphy tool.
2. Select all the objects I created in step 1 and click Path > Union to merge them into one object.
3. Click Path > Simplify to reduce the number of nodes drastically.
4. Go over a small area at a time adjusting all imperfections.

Any suggestions to improve this way of working are more than welcome.

Been using the freehand tool alot lately myself, I guess I would try that.
I'm not good with characters though, could only trace an existing work.

With a simple pattern used for the pattern along path effect on the freehand tool, the simplify path would be unnecessary more or less.

Also merging the parts of the outline -maybe it would lead to a path with too many nodes to be handled right.
I would try out different settings with the bucket fill tool, and add a stroke to the black outline objects -preferably after grouped together-.


Doing it the other way: see Dillerkind's image pool, he is using the pen tool for his images.

Now we're talking!

There are, just as you say, many ways to skin this cat.

I had to research the "Pattern along path" and found this video to be enlightening. This technique seems promising. Thanks for the tip.

Dillerkind's art is really impressive but not quite the style I'm looking for in this project. I find great art like that really inspiring and it really drives me to improve my own skill.

PS. Has the support for creating signatures for posts been removed? I can't find it in UCP as referenced in the documentation and Q&A...
Neveremind. I just found it. But I swear it wasn't there before.