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Tumblr Outline Drawing with PicsArt


Do you want to know how to make an outline drawing? Here is a step-by-step guide to help you! From working with the layers to adding shading to your drawing. Do note that this is the way I do it and you don't necessarily have to copy everything.

First of all, if you don't have PicsArt (You probably do, since you're reading this 😊!) it's a free app available for all devices. You can draw, add filters and do manips ( photo manipulation) too.

1. Get an Image to Use

First you need to get your image ready, you can do a picture of yourself or a friend or you can get one online. If you're getting one online you can search things like "Tumblr Girl/boy" "Tumblr girl/boy [colour]" or if you already know what type of picture you want - just search that!

2. Open PicsArt and open draw // Add a white background

NOTE: PicsArt only allows you to have up to 5 layers, so it's very important you follow the directions carefully. You must also make sure each layer is placed in the correct order*

Open PicsArt and select your image, then select "draw". Tap to add a new layer and change the [new layer] colour to white. This will be the background when you finish. When you're done, place this layer below the layer with your picture. *The order of layers is very important; if you put the white layer on top of the image it will show, if you move it behind it will not show. In this way, stuff can be placed behind each other, without having to draw it out.

3. Draw the basic outline of the person

Use about a size 2/3px brush depending on the size of your image and just draw the outline of the person. You should also draw the details on their face such as eyes, mouth and nose. The line of the hair doesn't have to be perfect either. I only draw the outline of the eye and the pupil and leave the iris blank.

NOTE: To check on what your drawing looks like now, simply reduce the opacity of the layer with your image to 0.

4. Start drawing the hair

(Sorry the hair in the photo is VERY BAD) For this you should make the opacity of the your image visible not too visible. Maybe somewhere between 20-30. This is so you can follow the flow of the hair and make sure the lines you draw match up. This makes your outline drawing look better.

5. Add extra colours

Add a new layer and place it below the layer with the outline and above the layer with your image. (SEE IMAGE ABOVE) If you are only using monotone colours then make sure to use lighter shades of black for everything else only. Fill in the iris using a colour you like (or a slightly lighter shade of black) Fill in the lips with a light shade of grey or a colour if you choose.

Depending on the image you chose you may need to fill in more colours e.g clothing, snapchat overlays, necklaces and bracelets etc.

6. Now add shading

This part is optional if you don't feel it's necessary but it will make your drawing look better.

To add shading you simply; tap to choose the colour of an area, then choose a slightly darker colour to the colour you get. Reduce the opacity of the brush and draw anywhere you would like. For this, I recommend you decrease the opacity of your image again like with the hair to around 20-30, so you can see the areas which are shaded on your image.

You can do this on any layer (except the last 2) You should probably do it on the layer for the extra colours, or for the hair if you want them to be separate. OR to avoid mistakes. You can merge the layer with the hair, with the layer with the outline. So the shading is on it's own layer. Places to add shading would be:

  • around the eyes

  • the neck line

  • edges of clothing or body

  • hair lines (if you added colour)

  • Lips

  • iris (eyes)

  • nose

  • face

7. Delete/ Hide your image layer and save

When you are sure you are finished, delete the layer with your image and save it to your device. If you don't want to delete the image, just "hide" it by reducing the transparency to zero or double tapping until an eye with a diagonal line through it appears.

SORRY IT WASN'T A VERY GOOD DRAWING I WAS IN A BIT OF A RUSH TO DO IT.

And that's all you have to do! Hopefully you understood the tutorial!

-PCCool

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