We challenge you to sketch something on paper then use Inkscape to vectorize it (in any way you like), and to post your finished artwork below. Everyone is invited to join in!

All entries to be submitted by 30 April 2022.

Please do spread the word!
#inkscapechallenge

Also, there are more challenges to come (next one starts 1st May 2022), so put it in your calendar.

Instructions/Information

• To submit your artwork, scroll to the bottom of the page and while logged in, click the paperclip (bottom-left) to upload your image, add a description in the text box (optional) and click "Submit Reply".
• If you'd like to post work-in-progress artwork, create a thread in the "Work in Progress" section of the forum, and post your images there, with the title "April 2022 Sketch to Inkscape Challenge WIP - [your artwork title]" (you are welcome to ask for help there if you get stuck). When finished, post the final graphic to this thread.
• This challenge will run from 1 April 2022 - 30 April 2022. There are no winners. These challenges are intended to inspire, to encourage you to share your work and to build a supportive community.
• You're encouraged to discuss and offer feedback/constructive criticism to others, but please be respectful.
• All comments and graphics must be in line with the Inkscape Forum Rules and Community Code of Conduct.
• Most importantly, be creative, give your best, and have fun!

We look forward to seeing your entries!

Challenge entries (so far)

Hi! What's the best tutorial to do this?

Hi @Gippo If you would like a tutorial to help you follow this challenge, you could check out this simple tutorial from TJFREE: https://youtu.be/L7RQEUaRhLY

If you haven't done anything like this before, I would advise that you keep your sketch simple (basic lines and block shapes).

Feel free to submit more than one design. I'm looking forward to see what you come up with.

I thought I was supposed to directly convert the lines to vectors by playing with some parameters... Thanks for the link, I'll give it a try anyway.

@Gippo You are right. You can use the Trace Bitmap feature (Path > Trace Bitmap), which is an equally valid method. The chosen method depends on the style of the design and your desired result.

The benefits of the Trace Bitmap tool are: ease of use and speed, while the pen tool will take a bit of practice and time but offers a more custom and refined end result (you can, of course, edit the result of an automated trace).

If you do use Trace Bitmap, you will want to be sure there is high contrast in your drawing, as this will give you the 'cleanest' output.

Image removed due to content violation.

Please see the Inkscape Community Code of Conduct for details:
https://inkscape.org/community/coc/

Charles Bronson - as Harmonica, Once Upon a Time in the West

@marcjanregulus Excellent work! A close resemblance. Thank you for a fine entry.

Wouldn´t it be nice to have sketch/drawing + Inkscape version side by side?

I can' t draw, so I decided to make a simple poster, with the help of my friend Tux 🐧😄

That's great @mrks9. As you can see from my drawing (in the banner), my sketch is just a guide (quite different to the finished graphic). It is good to use paper to visualize your ideas. No need for it to be perfect. Your end result looks spot on.

@pacer Thanks. Your drawing already looks good to me, you can see the expression in the eyes. But the vectorization is brutal. I love it !! 💯

@mrks9 Thank you. I appreciate that. It took some effort for me to pull off the result. Prior to this piece, I have never been satisfied with my efforts at vectorised hair or fur. In each banner I try to push something new and attempt something which challenges me. Also, that wasn't my first sketch.

Experimenting with the lion in the banner (start to finish in Inkscape).

Additional info:

I found that working with a neutral colour palette was beneficial in allowing me (like a pencil sketch) to focus on lighting and detail without distraction.

Colours can be tricky to correct on a heavily detailed graphic; overlaying colour on a grayscale image solves this problem and provides many options.

@pacer Beautiful 💯

Hello 😊 this is my entry for challenge Inkscape your sketch, Anubis (Ancient Egyptian god of the dead).

Timelapse and design process https://youtu.be/8H3Sh6W-Z14

@Yogi_Aris_Vara_W_W Wow!! terrific work. Thanks for sharing 💯

@Yogi_Aris_Vara_W_W Thank you for your challenge entry. Your artwork is well thought out and, looking at your video, you have an interesting inking style and workflow.

@mrks9 Thank You Glad You like it..!!🙏

@pacer Thanks you for create this Challenges/Contest !!🙏😊, Thanks mr pacer 🙏!!

I'm working on reproducing some floral bookcovers from the 1890s, the very first years when multi-coloured printing could be done on cloth bindings. Here is one of them, done by tracing the outline of the original design and then sketching in the details on paper. (I found that tracing everything produces results that, even to my non-artistic eye, are too hesitant and lack variation in stroke width.) Then the result is pulled into Inkscape, auto-traced and coloured. I'm having a lot of fun with these.

Beautiful work @hisdeedsaredust !

I like the style. Your bookcover project sounds really interesting. I love to draw ornate flowers and leaves.
I would like to see your finished work when you complete the project.

If you do get stuck on anything, feel free to post your artwork to Work in Progress and let me know on this thread.

Given your interest in drawing ornamental flowers, you may be interested in some of the challenges we have coming up.

@hisdeedsaredust Beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing.

I barely made it! But here I am!