You’ll learn handy tips for drawing in Flash, focusing on some essential drawing tools that make creating this artwork quick and simple. Starting with Flash’s unique Line tools, we take this tool a step further by converting lines to create fills for a comic book-style ‘focus lines’ effect.
You’ll also pick up tricks on maintaining visual clarity in a detailed black-and-white artwork. Feel free to embellish and add your own twists to the artwork as you create.
Step 1
Open a new file in Flash. In the Properties window (Cmd/Ctrl + F3), click the Edit button and set the size to 420 x 594 mm. Now import the base tracing file from CD (ht_trace.jpg) by selecting File > Import > Import to Stage (Cmd/Ctrl + R), and select the imported image. In the Align window (Window > Align > To Stage), select Align Horizontal Center and Align Vertical Center.
Step 2
For detailed drawings, layering is vital. Flash manages layers in the Timeline window: rename and lock the tracing layer, then create a new layer for each element. Drawing in Flash is easy: using the Line tool (N), click and drag to create a straight line; click on the line and drag it to make a curve. Use the Line tool or Pen tool to trace all the elements apart from the focal lines.
Step 3
Now let’s create the focal lines. Use the Line tool to create a short vertical line at the point all the lines point to. Lock this layer and, in a new layer, draw black lines that drag out from the red focal point. Select all the lines, increase their line size to 8pt, and erase parts of the lines to make their length irregular. Select Modify > Shape > Convert Lines to Fills. Drag the edge point of each line to make them narrower at one end.
Step 4
Now you’ve traced all the elements, they’re ready to ink up – this is essentially colouring-in. Choose the colour – in this case we’re only using black and white. Use the Paint Bucket tool (B) and click on the closed areas you’ve traced to fill with the paint.