Adding Modifications with the Pen Tool

Changing the arc of a curved line is just as hard in Photoshop as it is on paper - assuming the artist is drawing freehand. The artist has to pay attention to keeping the smoothness, the thickness, and the sun-shadow transitions of the original line while carefully adding and removing extra brush strokes. It is a painstaking procedure and often doesn’t provide the desired result in terms of quality of line.

We’ve already learned how to use the Pen tool as a “digital French curve” for drawing smooth strokes and transitions. As one would expect, we can use the same tool for modifying them:

Adding Modifications with the Pen Tool

Adding Modifications with the Pen Tool

(1)Add a Path to the area to be changed by using the Pen tool. Make sure to extend it in both directions so your new line will blend in.

Adding Modifications with the Pen Tool

(2)Adjust the Path by adding Anchor Points. Make sure your path curves smoothly into the part that doesn’t have to be changed.

Adding Modifications with the Pen Tool

(3)Delete the section that should be changed on the original drawing. Always double-check that you’re working on the right layer.

Adding Modifications with the Pen Tool

(4)Stroke the path with the appropriate brush thickness set up. For transitions use the sun-weight instead of the shadow-weight.

Adding Modifications with the Pen Tool

(5)Move your path slightly to get the desired sun-shadow effect. Check both endpoints of the path to be sure that they blend in with the rest of the lines.

Adding Modifications with the Pen Tool

(6)Adjust the brush strokes at your path’s endpoints to make the transition nice…

Adding Modifications with the Pen Tool

(7)…and smooth. Add corners if necessary. Once you’re happy with the result, don’t forget to delete your Path.