Lineart questions

[ShadowStalker]

Ive been doing by art for about the same way for who know how long, I really use my lineart and then simply color it in. I dont find it very appealing unless is maybe in a cartoony style :/ I was wondering if lineart is used very often( mainly in realistic looking art), unless its so thin I cant tell if its existent or not, heh. Or if it just starts out as an outline then just draw over everything. I want to move out of the lineart comfort zone but I feel without it everything might look flat and would blend in with everything. I know it comes with practice but I was wondering if anyone had any tips about lineart and working away from it. Im not sure if my question is clear, I myself cant really find what Im trying to ask :B I also notice for people who do use lineart, many dont make it on photoshop, i was wondering if Open canvas lineart or whatever make any difference.

[MiniGoth]

The program used really isn't going to make that much difference.

[arttorney]

Without line you can make everything look less flat if you want to. Flat or not flat is very much about the way the light is falling on objects in the picture plane. On the side of a thing where the light is falling, maybe there shouldn't be a black line for example. It's bright there. If you put a black line it tells the viewer this is a piece of paper. It is not really a three dimensional thing. Why would you want to put a line there where the light waves are crashing upon the beach of an object (outside edges). I prefer to do lineart with traditional ink, but it takes some practice to do it right.

[waffleKoan]

I struggle with the same thing myself all the time, but I'm learning that using values and contrast correctly can really give your pieces a feeling of weight and form without making things all muddy and flat. Think of using light and shadow to describe edges between forms instead of using lines to outline them. There's a really good tutorial on edges (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=51913) somewhere around here. Anyway, there are certainly fine artists who incorporate lineart into their work (Alphonse Mucha comes to mind immediately). Not to mention great comic artists. Check out Kev Ferrara's thread (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=101106) for an example of some awesome inking and linework

[Desero]

That’s a tough one. I can give you conjecture and opinion.. In my opinion there are 2 basic ways to think when approaching art. You’ve got linear thought, which is of course all lines. If your going to go realistic imagery with line you’ve got to get the most out each line you draw. So Its more an act of meditative creation if you know what I mean. Take time to feel each line out. Its width, pressure, angle (smooth or sharp) and of course where it begins and ends (Don’t be afraid to have a single line describe many different things on a drawing, it looks child like at first but when you get good at it really shows).
Conversely we have a volumetric (sculptural, form, ect.) of thought. Which is instead of using lines to define forms you use areas of value. I find the best way to practice this is using charcoal I like vine charcoal and a kneaded eraser best but feel free to explore options, there are a lot out there. With this its important to “lay value down” carve out large swaths like you’re waxing a car.
I myself am more of a linear kind a guy myself but I’ve practiced a bit with volumetric thinking approaching a naturalistic painting with your mind set in volumes makes it a hell of a lot easier, in my opinion.
Of course these are both on the total opposite end of the spectrum and seeing both kinds of thought mixed in a drawing is very common. I would encourage it.
I liked to look at the old masters to glean what I could from their sketches and their paintings (they are still so far beyond me. Damn you Michelangelo –shakes fist-)
If you’re a linear sketcher you’re in good company some great examples are Leonardo, Del Sarto, Van Dyke, Rembrandt’s(his inks and etchings), Durer (especially his engravings).
Volumetirc sketchers: Renoir, Mary Cassat, Millet, Raphael, Rubens the list goes on.

But yeah look up Leonardo his penmanship is SUPER linear it should give you some ideas on approaches to line work.

Some modern painters who use a bit of line in their work are Simon Biesly and Chris Moller both very well known for their comicy graphic style. John Van Flee is a pretty good example. Phil Noto is okay too- heavy contour around a pastel filler.

Todd LockWood, Gincola, Jim Burns, Linda Bergkvitz and so many others are volume painters