College of New Caledonia/
Back to Labs

Lab E

Line Drawing Mini Lesson - Create Your Own Colouring Page

Objective

In this mini lesson, you will learn how to use the Brush Tool to create a clean line drawing. You will design your own colouring page from imagination or simple ideas. This exercise focuses on strong outlines and clear shapes suitable for printing and colouring.

Task

Create a black-and-white line drawing that could be used as a colouring page.

You may:

  • • Draw from your imagination
  • • Trace simple objects or reference images
  • • Combine multiple ideas into one composition
Example Colouring Pages

Here are examples of line drawings suitable for colouring pages:

Kawaii style colouring page with cute desserts including cupcakes, donuts, pancakes, ice cream and drinks

Kawaii desserts - multiple objects with cute faces

Line drawing of person in traditional clothing playing string game

Cultural illustration - single figure with detail

Requirements
  • • Page size: 8.5" x 11" (Portrait or Landscape)
  • • Black line work only
  • • No fill colours
  • • No shading or gradients
  • • Clean, continuous outlines
Tools to Use (Photoshop or Similar Software)
  • • Brush Tool (B)
  • • Optional: Eraser Tool for corrections
  • • Optional: Zoom tool for detail work
Brush Settings

To create a strong, printable line drawing:

  • • Use a hard round brush
  • • Set brush hardness to 100%
  • • Use a consistent line thickness (do not vary too much)
  • • Avoid soft or blurry brushes

Helpful Tutorials:

Brush Settings in Photoshop

Watch on YouTube

Brush Settings in Paintstorm Studio

Watch on YouTube

Steps

1. Set Up Your Document

  • • Create a new file: 8.5" x 11"
  • • Set resolution for print quality (300 DPI recommended)
  • • Set background to white

2. Plan Your Drawing

  • • Lightly sketch your idea or plan shapes in your mind
  • • Keep composition simple and clear
  • • Think about objects that can be easily coloured later

3. Create Your Line Drawing

  • • Select the Brush Tool (B)
  • • Use black as your colour
  • • Draw clean outlines of your shapes
  • • Focus on smooth, continuous lines

4. Refine Your Work

  • • Erase unwanted lines if needed
  • • Zoom in to clean up edges
  • • Make sure all shapes are closed or clearly defined
Final Goal

You should create a complete line drawing that:

  • • Has clear, bold outlines
  • • Contains no fill colours or shading
  • • Is suitable to be printed as a colouring page
  • • Shows creativity and original design
Tips for Success
  • • Keep designs simple and readable
  • • Avoid overly complex details
  • • Use steady hand movements or a stylus if available
  • • Think like a colouring book illustrator

Submit

Submit your work here

Send your submission via email to mitchellh2@cnc.bc.ca. Please CC any other instructors for this course.