Hi,

New Inkscape user here, I found this gem of a program when I googled for free alternatives to Adobe software
I've been using Inkscape for just over a week but I'm still just experimenting.
When I get better at it I'll try creating wallpapers and icons and so on.
I don't really have any "artsy" skills so I've no illusions of creating great drawings like some of the pieces as I've seen here on the forums

I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right section but here it goes.
I created this eye yesterday and I'm thankful for any tips on making it better, the detail in the iris is not optimal as the method I used creates a lot of nodes.
Perhaps there's a good way of making it better while still lowering the node count?!
I'm also not very happy with the highlight, any tips?



- Yellonet

Welcome Yellonet!

I think the eyeball looks great! I'm not sure what to suggest about the reflection, since I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to achieve. It looks like a linear gradient that you're using. I wonder if a radial gradient would offer more possibilities?

For reducing the number of nodes, select the objects and do Path menu > Simplify. One click will greatly reduce nodes, and make hardly any difference in the appearance. While doing it twice might result in the removable of even more nodes, it will probably distort the image.

Hi.

Great work! I am impressed! I have been using Inkscape for a few months and can hardly make a straight line!
(Thanks to brynn for the line tutorial!)

As a beginner with Inkscape I am also trying to learn how to draw an eye (or two!).
( My artistic skills are worse than yours - but I am trying and I learn a lot in the process).

By using the tool just in front of you - the computer - you can find a lot of info.
Try using your favorite search engine and type "close up picture of eye" - I am using Google - Image search.

You will see that the highlight "reflects" (pun intended) what the eye are looking at.
In a studio picture you can see one or more round highlight reflections of the studio lights.
If a picture of the eye was taken without any artificial light - in a room - the highlight will show a window (square).
An outdoor picture will normally have the sky reflected in the highlight.
The iris of a human eye are normally not colored evenly - there are "imperfections" or "spots" - if you are after a "realistic" eye this might be worth adding.

By searching for "how to draw an eye" you can find a lot of tutorials on how to get the right shape etc.

A very impressive Inkscape image of Aishwarya Rai can be found here: http://imppao.deviantart.com/art/inksca ... ?offset=10
unfortunately the link to the SVG file on the page does not work but the file can be found here: http://imppao.free.fr/piwigo/picture.php?/70/category/2
( Click on the floppy disk icon to download the file ).
I have used this file for "reference" trying to make something similar. As a bonus; by using the file you can see how to make "realistic" hair as well!

Another source worth looking at is the "AI - Adobe Illustrator" tutorials - here are some links worth studying:
http://www.aivault.com/2008/06/08/an-ex ... al-part-1/
http://www.aivault.com/2008/06/10/an-ex ... l-part-ii/
http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/il ... ailed-eye/
http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/il ... r-eyeball/
http://designbeep.com/2012/08/08/26-bes ... tutorials/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BPfk-zwk1g
Most - if not all - of what can be done in Adobe Illustrator can be done in Inkscape as well - for free!

By the way - here are part of my attempt at a portrait of one of my daughters -
the image is still "under heavy construction" experimenting with the make-up, skin-tones etc!

Click image for larger version.
(Edit: Used the "latest" image - the one originally there was from incorrect "fork" - saving different versions as I go along!
The project has been idle for a while - might go back trying to finish it one day as I now have learned how to make my own
color palette matching the skin colors etc!)

Good luck - Post your results here - it's a great way for the rest of us to learn!

RGDS
Ragnar

brynn wrote:
Welcome Yellonet!

Thanks!

brynn wrote:I think the eyeball looks great! I'm not sure what to suggest about the reflection, since I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to achieve. It looks like a linear gradient that you're using. I wonder if a radial gradient would offer more possibilities?

I think maybe the reflection looks too clean and the shape is not very good, I tried making it a squarish pattern but I had trouble getting it to bend properly.

brynn wrote:For reducing the number of nodes, select the objects and do Path menu > Simplify. One click will greatly reduce nodes, and make hardly any difference in the appearance. While doing it twice might result in the removable of even more nodes, it will probably distort the image.

Thanks, I'll try it!

I actually think the shape of the reflection is interesting. If you don't want sharp borders, you could try blurring (see bottom area of Fill and Stroke dialog). I probably would try just a light touch on the blur, to keep with the otherwise sharp boundaries in the eye in general. But of course you'll do what works best for you.

Also, don't miss Ragnar's very informative message just below my 1st one. I think he probably posted it after you replied to my message. But because your message had to wait to be approved, it shows up after his. (You're finished with the mandatory 2 message moderation now, so there won't be anymore moderation, and your messages will post immediately.)

Edit
PS - Ragnar, the right eye (her left) is stunning! I assume the style of both eyes will match, by the time you're finished? Oorrrr....maybe it's the shadowing that's giving an optical illusion that they're different??

brynn wrote:I actually think the shape of the reflection is interesting. If you don't want sharp borders, you could try blurring (see bottom area of Fill and Stroke dialog). I probably would try just a light touch on the blur, to keep with the otherwise sharp boundaries in the eye in general. But of course you'll do what works best for you.

Also, don't miss Ragnar's very informative message just below my 1st one. I think he probably posted it after you replied to my message. But because your message had to wait to be approved, it shows up after his. (You're finished with the mandatory 2 message moderation now, so there won't be anymore moderation, and your messages will post immediately.)

Edit
PS - Ragnar, the right eye (her left) is stunning! I assume the style of both eyes will match, by the time you're finished? Oorrrr....maybe it's the shadowing that's giving an optical illusion that they're different??

Yeah, I'll try some blur and see if that improves it, but I'm not sold on the shape...

I did post a response to Ragnar, but it seems to have been lost somewhere, anyway, I agree, his (or rather her) eyes look great!