Animation Basics The Basics of Lines, Shapes, and Shading
GCC Academy
Hello, I’m Kang Ji-won, and I’ll be teaching the basic drawing course
Drawing is the foundation of all art
from simple doodles to cartoons
animation, or paintings
It's a step that must be taken
before starting any visual expression
It is the foundation of all visual expression
yet it is also the easiest way to start drawing
In this lesson, we will learn the principles of drawing
that serve as the foundation of visual expression
and explore techniques that apply these principles
This course focuses on the purpose of drawing
which is to create illustrations suitable for animation
Therefore, after covering basic sketching
we will focus on drawing the human figure
In each lesson, we will study
the principles and examples of figure drawing
and practice techniques for applying them in drawing and sketching
As the first step in basic drawing
we will learn the fundamentals of lines, shapes, and shading
In this session, we will explore symbolic
representations such as lines, surfaces, and shading
We will also learn the basic methods of
sketching and shading
Drawing is both the easiest way to create images
and the most detailed method of expression
It is the most basic method of drawing
yet it is also a technique through which one can
glimpse the deepest world of the artist
The method of capturing visible forms with lines
varies greatly depending on the abstraction and process
when you start to establish your own standards
the world of drawing begins
We will explore the basics of drawing, including expressing forms
with lines and creating depth through overlapping lines to represent shading
In this lesson, we will cover the concepts of lines
types of lines, the concept of surfaces, the concept of shading
and basic drawing information through lines and sketching
First, let's discuss the concept of a line
A line is fundamentally a symbolic expression that represents the boundary of an object
Three-dimensional forms are condensed into surfaces and surfaces into lines
Therefore, in contrast, surfaces in drawing are formed
by the overlapping of lines
Among the countless lines in the world
choosing which parts to capture and include is a matter of choice
If you look at the photo you can see that the leaves
that are expressed in a somewhat simplified manner
Using Photoshop's cut out feature
a boundary can be arbitrarily defined
each leaf can be expressed in more detail
or it can be simplified into shapes
showing only the basic form
If you look at the underside of the overpass here you'll see that there are more structures
but many of them are omitted in this representation
However, just as we can't draw every single leaf
it's not possible to preserve every line
The result of deciding what to select
and how to simplify is the line in the drawing
which makes drawing a technique through which
we can glimpse the deep world of the artist
It directly shows the perspective of the person who drew it
That's why it is the simplest yet
the starting point of all expression
Shall we take the face as an example?
The face is an area where even a small change
can significantly alter the impression
If we include all the elements of the face here
it often gives a rather harsh or rough impression
The result of marking all the boundaries
with lines in the first image of this material is an example of that
This is a shape that is commonly seen in people who are drawing figures for the first time
It often gives a significantly different impression
In this case, the smiling expression should be conveyed
but if the area under the fat under the eyes is expressed as it is
f expressed directly, it can look like wrinkles
and if the eyelid is drawn as a single fold
it can give the impression of sanpaku eyes
When illustrating teeth, nostrils
or the bumps on the nose
people often tend to draw each detail as it is
because outer boundaries are unclear, ending up drawing everything
The face is one of the most frequently drawn areas
but due to the many small contours, it is difficult to catch clear outer boundaries
making it one of the most challenging regions
It's difficult to draw exactly as it appears
The nose is especially tricky
If the nostrils are drawn too darkly, it can look comical
and even if the nostrils are depicted, it can give a dull impression
Even when the darkest elements are drawn
why does it feel like it's less appealing?
That's because the point we actually focus on when we look is not those specific elements
If the focal points, such as the eyes and mouth
and the boundary surfaces are drawn dark and bold
When you vary the intensity of the lines
Even with the same expression, it reduces the sense of awkwardness
The contours of the bright areas
For example, the contours of the nose bridge in the bright areas are completely omitted
If you want to make it even simpler, you can refrain from using lines
and omit parts like these, which correspond to lighter lines
The sense of a drawing is determined by which lines are chosen and with what intensity
based on what is visible
Even though it's drawn from the same photo, there's a significant difference
f we understand the function of each line
knowing which ones to use
the means of expression in drawing will expand in the future
Now, let's dive into the different types of lines in detail
This part is something many people who are
interested in art would already know
but since it's a concept that will be continuously applied in future lessons
it would be good to keep it in mind going forward
The two images in the material are representative examples of
Art Deco and Art Nouveau
These two styles are art movements that focus on the properties of lines
either straight or curved
Although it's clear at a glance that these are completely contrasting styles
let's take a closer look and dive into the specific aspects
where the differences lie
Let's take a look at the keywords listed here
Clarity, order, coldness
inanimate objects, and artificial images
these are all the associations contained in this style
First, straight lines carry only the value of direction
It is a simple expression formed by two points on a coordinate system
Up, down, or from here to there
Therefore, it becomes a very clear indication
An image of items arranged side by side
can also be considered a conceptual straight line
Since most things expressed in
perfectly straight lines are man-made, like architecture and roads
they give an artificial feeling
Because in reality, straight lines are only found in artificial objects
It's really not easy to find straight lines in nature
This means that it's hard to find straight lines in organic materials like plants and animals
This gives a cold, inanimate impression
The image on the left can be considered a poster that heavily emphasizes
previously mentioned properties, effectively conveying the mood of the movie
Now, let's take a look at curves
Curves carry a lot of information
Curves are lines formed by a collection of points
heading in countless directions
going this way, then that way, and so on
It’s a line created by
multiple straight directions coming together
Because of this, curves feel more irregular than straight lines
but they also give a sense of richness
Many things that form curves
often have a softer hardness and cannot hold a shape
curves give a softer feeling rather than a rigid
Most of these, found in plants, animals
and nature
give an organic, warm impression
The image on the right also depicts many organic materials
such as lively women's curved hair
vibrant leaves, and branches all of which are drawn with curves
the elements corresponding to the frame are
mostly depicted using straight lines
Within the drawing, straight and curved lines are mixed depending on the desired feel
As seen in the colors here Art Nouveau which features many curves
often uses warm tones to emphasize the properties of the curves
If you develop an interest in the beauty of curves
exploring this art style could be a great way to deepen your study
Next, let's explore the direction of lines
The direction of lines is closely related to composition
This is true when drawing individual objects as well
but it is especially crucial when establishing the overall composition
As mentioned earlier in the straight line section
not only the detailed expression of lines in an object
but also the arrangement of objects can act as lines in the composition
then, a vertical line
Vertical lines convey a sense of strength
authority, danger, toughness, and height
Since our eyes naturally have
a wider field of view horizontally
vertical lines tend to stand out more
and give the impression of being imposing or upright
rather than blending smoothly
Because of this, vertical lines carry connotations of authority and danger
Since strength is exerted vertically due to gravity
it is helpful to associate vertical lines
with imagery of strength and toughness as well
Next, let's look at horizontal lines
The horizon has information about the width
As mentioned earlier, the field of view tends to give a balanced
and stable impression within the sight, as both sides are wider
Additionally, when it is wide, sound and strength spread out
At the same time, giving a calm feeling and because the information of width is endless
it sometimes gives a vast impression
Diagonal line
They are unstable
Basically, when capturing the moment of movement
or when the field of view is not standing upright like this
When we fall, for example
the horizon in our field of view
would not be composed of vertical and horizontal lines
Because it is a line that is frequently observed in such situations
it is unstable but gives a dynamic and lively feeling
Additionally, the nuance can be determined by
the direction of the diagonal's ascent
Typically, since our gaze flows
from left to right in the reading direction
the line moving from left to right either rises or falls
like in the picture here, the upward and downward direction
it's advancing toward the downward direction
Through such directions, it is also possible
to convey either a positive or a negative nuance
In movies, when a diagonal composition is used
it is often seen in action scenes
or unstable suspense scenes
typically in very dynamic or tense moments
In painting style, the thickness of the lines is inseparable
Let’s take a closer look at each one, focusing on the function the line serves
First, thin lines are based on the premise of intricate expression
Thin lines are used to delicately outline the shape’s contours
Because they are thin, they are mainly used for curves, giving an elegant image
An example is a scene from the manga Innocent
a work characterized by an aesthetic style
To express each delicate detail
one by one
very thin lines are used
Next, thick lines
Thick lines are characterized by a simple and clear function
Bold lines are used when you want to give
a strong and impactful impression
The same goes for drawings
Because they are thick, straight lines or simple curves are mainly used
An example is the style of American animation, which is representative
but it is also frequently used in cute character designs like Hello Kitty
Here, it is used for clear expression
stability and simplicity
Next, lines with a large variation in thickness
Lines with a large variation in thickness are characterized by vitality
Additionally, the proper balance of line omission
and emphasis based on light and shadow can give a three-dimensional feel
If you look at this, for example
the volume of the hand is clearly felt
It is an appropriate line for expressing the human body
It is also an important aspect, as the control of pressure
can indicate the skill level of the drawing
Therefore, in this course, we aim to use lines
with appropriate variations in thickness in the right places
Next, lines with little variation in thickness
Lines with little variation in thickness are used
when a clear marking is required
They function similarly to straight lines
It is often used in animation
For 24 frames per second, the lines should be consistent
so that the movement is recognized naturally
without any jerky transitions between the frames
It is also a line commonly used in most animation because of this
when used in illustrations
It also gives a harmonious and organized feeling
It is great to use in illustrations
with many objects and complex backgrounds
Next, let's learn about the concept of planes
A plane is a detailed concept of a line
It expresses volume and spatial sense more naturally
It also reflects detailed characteristics of form, such as texture
As you can see here, the bumpy surface of the rock
the smooth texture of the petals, and the texture of the grass
if each of these were expressed with lines, they would become planes
When lines are placed wide and intricately, they become planes
Conversely, if the plane is simplified focusing on
the boundaries and outlines, it becomes a line like this
Drawing mostly uses lines
but it is more accurate to perceive
the size and arrangement of planes rather than recognizing the shape through lines
The process of perceiving a shape is subdivided in the order of
visual information to three dimensionality to shading to planes and finally, to lines
Since lines are a microscopic unit after points
it's better to think more about the larger planes and surrounding areas when drawing
For example, when drawing a circle
if you start by recognizing the shape of a circle
and then focus only on drawing curves with the same curvature
the result will be different, right?
If you focus only on drawing the curve
it will result in an oval shape, a distorted circle, and so on
The same goes for drawing
So, drawing without recognizing the planes is
like proceeding without a rough sketch
In short, you need to look at it broadly
When you focus only on drawing lines
the output will be something like this picture on the left
This won't be very helpful for practice
Developing the habit of recognizing planes by their area
like the picture on the right, will help improve your observational skills
Observation is the most important part of drawing skills
Focusing on details comes after that
Shading is a detailed concept of planes that indicates the degree to which light is received
By adjusting the brightness of the planes, depth and three dimensionality are determined
The degree of shading determines the atmosphere and realism of the drawing
Shading, broadly speaking, is a gradient
but it can first be classified into six stages
highlight, light areas, mid tones
dark areas, reflected light, and shadows
First, the highlight is the part where light directly hits the object
Therefore, when expressing it, sometimes the original color is
completely hidden, and it often turns white
Next, the light areas are slightly brighter
than the actual brightness of the object
Following that is the mid tone, which is the widest area
The object's original color and brightness can be seen in this middle part
Next is the area where light doesn't reach
This is typically where the shadow of the object
is formed, the dark area here
Next, reflected light may
not appear depending on the object
and depending on the light
However, it is expressed to enhance
the density of the object
It is the light that is created by the rays reflecting in the direction of the dark areas
It usually appears on materials with a glossy texture
but it is less likely to form when there is only one light source in a dark area
That's because there is no reflected light
Next, we have shadows
A shadow is the darkness that forms on another surface due to the obstruction of light by an object
Shadows are darkest where they touch the object
and gradually become lighter as they extend further
This characteristic changes depending on the direction of the light
First, knowing these six stages
will not cause much trouble when doing sketches
or expressing simple drawings
By emphasizing these four stages 1, 3, 4, and 6
you can effectively express
the three-dimensionality of an object without difficulty
Sketching and Shading
Now that the theory is finished
I will start giving a lecture on
practical drawing techniques
What is the foundation of drawing?
The foundation is shading
Through the basics of lines and shading
we will explore essential drawing tips
So, I would like to clarify that the techniques
we're discussing are based on using large paper and pencils
which are commonly used in shading
First, whether using your hand or digital drawing
the most important thing in drawing is using long strokes for the lines
Many beginners typically
finding the precise technique of lines difficult
tend to draw with short, quick strokes
This is called feathered lines
It's one of the bad habits to avoid
When you interrupt a long, smooth line
the accuracy of the line itself significantly decreases
However, you also shouldn't make the lines too long
You can hold it just like when writing
or hold the pencil and draw, similar to the method shown in the second photo
If you draw like in the first photo
your wrist, pencil, and the distance from the axis is short
This means the range of motion is limited
and the length of the line you can draw becomes shorter
The curve and strength of the line can also be expressed
more delicately and with more variety
It is not suitable for large drawings
and is mainly used when detailed depiction, like writing, is needed
The second method is holding the pencil as shown in the second photo
The grip we will learn now is
exactly like the one shown in this photo
When holding the pencil like this, not only do you hold it as shown
but you also fix your arm and wrist
using your shoulder as the axis to draw in one smooth motion
This greatly increases the range of motion
By increasing the range of motion, it means you can draw longer lines
And since fine control is not possible
the strength of the line weakens, and the line becomes lighter
Overall, the variation in the line becomes weaker
and in shading, this type of line is actually recommended
It's because we make planes by layering these lines
Now, I will first demonstrate the technique
If there is a long straight line
and you're unsure, drawing short, quick strokes
will cause the line to become fuzzy
We call these lines, fuzzy lines
If you draw a circle it will likely result in an imprecise instead of a smooth curve
In this way, the circular shape becomes unclear
and the line itself keeps becoming fuzzy making it imprecise
On the contrary, drawing it in larger
increases the accuracy
If you need to layer planes, even if the lines are inaccurate
overlapping long lines
though still imperfect lines
will result in greater accuracy
Shall we reinforce the top with fuzzy lines?
For being fuzzy lines, we won't be able to notice it
Even if it is layered multiple times
it's challenging to recognize the larger shape
Although fewer lines were drawn, this is much closer to the circle
Therefore, even if you can't draw the line
perfectly in one go
you need to practice drawing long
Second, a line's curve should not make more than three turns
What this means is that
It's best to focus on drawing shapes like C, S, and I
It’s good to keep this in mind
a straight line, a curve, and a curve with a curvature that appears twice
Only three types of curves are allowed
For example, when we draw a heart, if we try to draw it all at once
It becomes difficult to maintain a consistent shape
This happens even with something as simple as a heart
If it's difficult to maintain the shape like this
it becomes nearly meaningless as a single-stroke drawing exercise
when dealing with other shapes
That's why, after drawing a curve
after drawing a curve
you should stop and break it before continuing
because only then, there could be more precise
Even if it's small enough to be drawn in one go
trying to draw it all at once like this
Like so
There are first and second curvature
Only up to this point should be divided
cut it here and there, and then continue on the other side
Let's go ahead and try drawing my and as an example
What happens if I try to draw the hand using only one stroke?
If the proportions are off even with a small drawing like this
it will be a complete mess when working on larger drawings
By focusing only on the curvature of the lines
the protruding parts are aligned
but the overall proportions are completely incorrect
You end up not being able to see the overall picture
Therefore, cut it appropriately
Like this, how did I draw this?
First curve second curve
I never used a longer line after all, right?
It’s very helpful to first practice drawing lines appropriately
lifting the pencil when needed, like this
Next, I will show you the key points to keep in mind when shading
First
Layer light lines
to create planes
creating planes
After creating planes
When expressing gradients or shading
it should be darker, right?
Then, by drawing lines overlapping at different angles
you can express the darkness of the shading
If the tilt was around this angle
This time, with a slight change in angle
the overlapping lines
gradually transition to a different angle
creating a smooth change
If I continue drawing in the same direction
What will it look like?
By overlapping with the original lines on top
it becomes easier to create a blotchy, uneven texture
This makes it harder to control the shading effectively
it's much better
to tilt the lines at an angle
If you have a plane like this
continuing to layer the lines at an angle
helps create a dense and detailed surface
Here as well
It stacks smoothly
If you get lazy and apply strong lines
how will it result in?
For example
There is a cubic object
The light is coming from this side
When this side should be the darkest side
Sometimes, out of laziness, you might end up drawing the lines too strongly
making planes like this
Since the lines are too strong
You can see the texture of the lines
This makes it difficult to achieve a dense, smooth texture
When using a pencil, the deep pressure marks
from pressing too hard are clearly visible like this
This part becomes very glossy due to the graphite
Unlike the delicate layers
built up one by one
these lines are visible individually
And when you draw too strong
it becomes difficult to control the intensity of the lines
These areas are very problematic in shading
especially when emphasizing three-dimensionality
In shading, lines should not be visible
Everything should exist as planes
Now, let's properly layer it on this side
For reference, the beginning and end of the line must always be soft
As you can see here
sometimes the line starts off strongly like this
If you do it by hand like this, what happens?
There will be a strong mark
There are also some mark left
it’s not suitable for expressing planes
It leaves even more noticeable marks
when drawn with a pencil
Therefore, when shading, the beginning and end of the lines must always be soft
Like this, both ends should be soft
ends that are like fading away
Now, I will introduce some examples
that would be great for practicing
First
The lines that stretch out so boldly
this may seem like a tedious and boring process but
Think of it as an exercise for developing the small muscles in your hands
The value of the practice reveals itself not only when drawing thick lines
but also when exercising fine control
The second one is expressing gradients with your hand
This practice of layering surfaces is also a fundamental part of sketching
It’s good to practice layering planes
even with small drawings, as if you’re doodling
When you have a surface like this, gently layer it on top
and then with another hand, gently layer it again
By continuously layering in different directions like this
the gradient is nicely completed
Next, we’ll try drawing the five levels of shading with your hand
This is surprisingly difficult
It may seem easier than the gradient
you need to create the five levels of shading
by layering surfaces like before
The reason it’s difficult is that
sometimes the shading for levels 2, 3, and 4
can be hard to distinguish
For example
As you layer, they can end up looking similar to each other like this
Or, if you layer too much
he shading for levels 3 and 4 can end up looking similar like this
This happens quite often
In terms of brightness
It’s helpful to practice with a pencil
so you can clearly divide the five levels
into 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%
Let's summarize what we've learned in this lesson
First, we learned about the types of lines, planes, and the principles of shading
And before drawing, we covered how to draw lines
and explored the techniques for shading
Thank you for your hard work
Symbolic expression Line A symbolic expression method that represents the boundary of an object
Curvature: straight, curve Direction: vertical, horizontal, diagonal Thickness: thin, thick, with thickness change, with minimal thickness change
Planes As a detailed concept of a line it expresses volume and detailed texture Visual information, three dimensionality, shading, planes, lines
Shadow As a detailed concept of a plane, degree of light exposure Highlights, light areas, midtones, dark areas, reflected light, shadows
Sketching and shading Points to note when drawing lines Avoid making short, choppy lines Avoid creating curves that loop more than three times
Sketching practice process Drawing horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines Expressing gradients Drawing five levels of shadow