25 Days to Better Drawings: Line Quality
Lesson Description
The fifth lesson of the 25 Days to Better Drawings course focuses on one of the most transformative yet often overlooked aspects of drawing: line quality. While many beginning artists concentrate solely on accuracy and proportion, seasoned artists know that the way a line is drawn can communicate just as much as the line itself. Line quality, sometimes referred to as line weight, is the variation of thickness, darkness, and pressure within a single mark. In this lesson, we explore how these variations can dramatically improve the visual impact, clarity, and expressiveness of your drawings.
We begin by examining the concept of line quality in detail. Students learn how different types of lines can suggest light, shadow, depth, texture, and even emotion. We look at examples ranging from bold, confident strokes used to emphasize structure, to delicate, whisper-thin lines used for subtle edges or reflective surfaces. Understanding how and when to adjust your line is essential for elevating your work from a simple outline to a dynamic, compelling drawing.
Exploring Line Weight and Its Visual Effects
Once the foundational idea of line quality is introduced, the lesson transitions into a clear breakdown of line weight—its purpose and its effects on the viewer. Line weight is not random; it is a deliberate tool used to communicate form and depth. Thicker, darker lines tend to appear closer to the viewer, while lighter or thinner lines recede. This principle allows you to create dimension even within drawings that rely solely on contour.
The lesson also addresses how line weight can convey lighting. For instance, a line may appear heavier on the side of an object opposite the light source, subtly suggesting shadow without fully rendering tonal values. We also explore how changes in line pressure can enhance realism, making objects feel solid and convincingly three-dimensional. Through these explorations, students discover that varying line quality is not merely a stylistic choice—it's a vital technical skill.
Introducing Pen and Ink for Line Enhancement
With a clear understanding of line quality established, the lesson then moves into practical application using pen and ink. Pen and ink is an ideal medium for studying line weight because it demands intentionality. Unlike graphite, which can be smudged, erased, or blended, ink requires the artist to commit to every mark. This encourages thoughtful decision-making and mindful observation of form, edge, and direction.
Enhancing the Toy Jack Drawing With Intentional Line Weight
With both the concepts and tools in place, the lesson culminates in revisiting the toy jack drawing from Lesson Four. Previously, this drawing was constructed using simple shapes to understand its structure. Now, the focus shifts from construction to expression. Students rework the drawing using pen and ink, this time incorporating thoughtful line variations to bring greater depth and clarity to the form.
As students redraw the toy jack, they learn to identify areas that naturally call for heavier lines, such as edges closer to the viewer or overlapping forms. They also observe where lighter lines better describe the object’s curves or areas receiving more light. The rounded arms of the jack provide a perfect opportunity to practice tapered lines, where a stroke increases or decreases in thickness to follow the object's turning form. By integrating these refinements, the drawing becomes more visually compelling and structurally believable.
Strengthening Observational Skills Through Line-Based Thinking
By the end of this lesson, students not only gain technical skills but also deepen their artistic sensitivity. Line quality becomes more than a tool; it becomes a visual language that adds richness, clarity, and personality to their work. Through mindful practice and the structured approach provided in the lesson, students take a major step forward in developing drawings that feel both confident and expressive.
Lesson Materials
Technical ink drawing pens and a kneaded eraser.
Lesson Resources
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Course Curriculum
Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.
Hi Matt I have drawn off and on for the last 50 years and never felt confidant in my lines and it was a lot erase and redraw of the line and in the end I would end up with a good but worn out image. The shapes do help, my perspective is another thing that has me erasing. I drew this picture a couple of times to get that correct. I have never had a drawing class and always depended on ‘that doesn’t look right system’. This is going to work much better and cleaner. Thank you
Hi Louise,
I’m a newbie also to drawing, would always use traceables when painting but have been forcing myself to free hand more and more, been using the grid method but even stuff that up 😂
I’ve only been following Matt for a few days but can already identify shapes and lines easier and learning to look at the dimensions and shapes, so much easier.
With this day 5 one I couldn’t get the lengths correct, kept on rubbing out 😂 but then thought look at the shape, so did just that, it’s an arc at the bottom, then straight lines forming the sides and top of a square, so drew that shape in first then all my lengths were correct, just draw the lines and balls to the edges and there you have it, all the correct length! 😀
Thank you for creating theses lessons. I never thought about how line can add more interest to a drawing before. I thought it was interesting how just adding a little thicker line to different sections of the drawing makes the drawing appear more dimensional.
I used to do this and I knew this happens all the time in other artists’ work but I never had any standard. This lesson let me know I can make my own standard and it’s fine to do that. Thanks!
My first pen and ink. Have been waiting to try out my pens. Love how the thickness makes such a difference on the eye.thank you Matt for explaining in such easy to follow steps.
At the beach yesterday saw a driftwood snag and for first time saw it in terms of shapes – making it appear possible for me to draw. I tried, but failed, to attach photo. Thank you!
Thank you Matt for your intersting lessons. They are very clear, inspiring and easy to follow, making me perfectly understand the elements of art (lines and shapes so far).
Matt, when you ‘thicken’ your lines do you always do it on the inside of your original pencil line? Thank you! These lessons have been fun so far!
Thank you Matt I went to far into continuing the drawing yesterday I got carried away , then realised today’s lesson was going in a different direction which is far more interesting! I’ve learnt another lesson today too ! Wait for you to explain it’s ok tho I started again, but will definitely hang on next time ! Loving these modules!
Regards Jan
Thanks Jan!
I eventually got the shapes more or less correct (someone passing on a galloping horse would recognise it for what it is)and the application of ink makes a big difference in
the “aesthetics” for sure. Very pleased actually, some good stuff coming out of these lessons.
I found this exercise so incredibly difficult! I have never used a pen for drawing before and I had a terrible job controlling it. The lines were all quavery. I wish I had paid more attention to tracing when I was at school!
“Quavery” lines have character too!
How do I have my settings so it is not spooling so long and having jerky movements.
I’m an intermediate watercolorist. Just dawned on me that I have to learn to draw to continue on. Love this course and enjoying drawing. Also, love your tee shirts; how can I get some!!! Tom P
Hi Tom!
Thanks! The t-shirts are from https://ugmonk.com
I keep returning to drawing throughout my life. It is something I really want to do, but I dont have any training in it. My hand-eye coordination is improving however. Maybe this will be the course I learn from!
Hi Irene👍I’m in the same boat continuously returning to drawing.Hope this is the charm for both of us!
this was great practices
I am enjoying the lessons. I’m learning so much! I did have trouble getting the shape/lines correct in the center of the jack(lesson 4). I found the contour lessons in day 5 amazing!!
Please help. I can’t get the middle correct. I have the basic shapes right but I don’t know how to draw the middle piece. I’m about to cry I’m so frustrated.
Hi Tanya,
It’s okay to be frustrated. This is a sign of growth. Take a step back and try again or just move on to the next day. You are recognizing that your drawing is not quite right. This is good!!! All drawings are “not quite right”. Our goal is to get them as “right as possible”. This ultimately comes through practice and being wrong a lot. It’s okay. Frustration can kill your motivation right when you’re getting ready to take a big step. Don’t let that happen to you.
Take a break from it if it’s feeling too frustrating. Come back to it and try again. I understand it can be very frustrating but please don’t give up. You will get this and be proud of yourself for it.
Love the concept of varying line weight to denote light and shadow. Also makes the drawing have more life and interest.
Very interesting…when finished, my initial thought was – why does Matt’s varying line thickness give the impression of light and shadow and mine just looks like I couldnt be bothered to finish it?
The answer discovered – and message to myself: “Stop staring at all the little discrepancies with your nose pressed up against the paper – looking at every line!!….. Put the paper down go do something else for five mins then pick paper up and look at it from a reasonable distance.” —- “Much better Sue stop being sooooo picky.”
Another good lesson learnt. 🙂 Thank you.
Thank you – I never thought about varying the thickness of lines to indicate shadows and light. Good to know!
Love the class!
I know this course is for adults but I am going through it with my 10 year old twins for our Art Course in homeschool. I never had true art courses growing up and I am so excited to see what several years of this kind of teaching will do for them.