Delete Transitions with Path Selections

There are two slightly different methods that can be introduced here: the artist can either delete from or add to the initial curves. They are both very effective and, once mastered, they can be useful complements to hand-drawn brush strokes. The artist has to keep in mind that sometimes it’s easier to draw freehand than to force drawing with the Pen tool.

Delete Transitions with Path Selections

Delete Transitions with Path Selections

(1)Draw a path by carefully following the line you want to trace. This path will be the center for both shadow and sun lines.

Delete Transitions with Path Selections

(2)Stroke your path with the shadow line weight first (16 or 20 pixels accordingly).

Delete Transitions with Path Selections

(3)Keep your path and erase the section where the sun-shadow transition ends, and you will be drawing a sun line.

Delete Transitions with Path Selections

(4)Repeat Step 2, but this time use the sun line weight (10) instead of shadow. (Change brush size to sun!)

Delete Transitions with Path Selections

(5)Delete your path and draw another one over the transition area as shown on the image. Don’t close the path!

Delete Transitions with Path Selections

(6)Adjust your path to form the outer curve of your sun-shadow transition. Starting and ending points must touch the lines.

Delete Transitions with Path Selections

(7)Make your new path a selection by calling up the same panel as you’d use for Stroke Path.

Delete Transitions with Path Selections

(8)You don’t have to change anything in the Make Selection pop-up window, unless it looks different from the one here.

Delete Transitions with Path Selections

(9)Once you hit OK, your path turns into the usual “marching ants”. Now you can hit delete and clear the selected area.

Delete Transitions with Path Selections

(10)You have to repeat Steps 5–9 again, but this time on the inside. Place your selection carefully!

Delete Transitions with Path Selections

(11)The final inked circle with the transparency changed back to 100%. Unevenness in transitions can be corrected manually.

You can download the short tutorial to learn this skill.