This should only take a couple of minutes when you know what to look for. Once you've downloaded and installed Inkscape, the next thing you need to do is set up the document and configure some tools to match the example in the Instructable. This is my second Instructable, and an entry for the Halloween Paint & Draw competition for 2012. Too Long Didn't Read? aka- The Blank CanvasĮaster has bunnies, Christmas has reindeer's and Halloween is ruled by the black cat! Introducing Inkscape- Setting Up The Document If you're familiar with the tools already- please use the list below to skip through the steps. It assumes you have no previous knowledge. This is definitely a beginner's guide to drawing with vectors and using Inkscape. You can get a similar result in pixel based programs such as GIMP and Photoshop, or, if you'd prefer to follow along using the more traditional pen and paper you can do that too- they're all drawn using very simple shapes! It's built up using very basic shapes and a little bit of colouring in. The following Instructable focuses mainly on the first cat in the image above, the one with the orange background. If I need clean lines and precise shapes I reach for Inkscape every time! Drawing with vectors is nothing like drawing with a pencil. When I want to paint, I use programs like GIMP, Photoshop and Sketchbook. I've got a foot in each camp when it comes to digital art. Many people like to use vectors for line art because it lets you draw (immaculately!) clean lines which can be edited with ease.

If you find it difficult to draw smooth lines using a mouse, and you don't have a graphics tablet, working with vectors may be just the thing you need to discover your hidden artist! Using vectors to draw may seem a little overwhelming if you're new to the method but with a little bit of practice you can create amazing artwork.

Import inkscape vectors into gimp