Inkscape Beginner Ultimate Quickstart Guide: Basic Tools and Techniques for Day 1

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Published 2021-08-23
Inkscape Ultimate Quickstart Guide for beginners and new users who want to learn how to get the most out of Inkscape vector graphics software. In this step-by-step beginner tutorial course Rick Johanson will walk you through the basics of Inkscape and provide detailed examples and exercises demonstrating how each tool is used. Follow along at your own pace and make something beautiful.

UPDATE AS OF Inkscape 1.1.1 :
*** Do Geometric Constructions **** Inkscape REMOVED THIS TOOL as of version 1.1.1 The mirroring feature is now found under PATH- PATH EFFECTS - Mirror Symmetry. Thank you to Ian Barrow for alerting me to this change!

-TIMESTAMPS-
0:00 Intro
0:42 Quick Setup Menu
1:01 How to Switch to Dark Mode
1:31 Quick Start Templates
3:34 Fill and Stroke Menu
5:24 Linear Gradient
7:15 Circle and Ellipses
10:38 Edit Text: Character Spacing
14:37 Stars and Polygons
17:56 Create 3D Boxes
19:25 Spiral Tool
20:44 Bezier Pen
23:35 How to Remove Background from an Image
25:17 Pencil-Draw Freehand Lines
27:22 Draw Calligraphic or Brush Strokes
30:34 Mesh Gradients
31:33 Eye Dropper- Color Picker
33:26 Paint Bucket- Jar of Confusion
35:06 Tweak Objects and Sculpting
36:35 Spray Can Tool
38:09 Eraser Tool
39:18 Create Diagram Connectors
40:06 Do Geometric Constructions ***** Inkscape REMOVED THIS TOOL as of version 1.1.1 The mirroring feature is now found under PATH- PATH EFFECTS - Mirror Symmetry.

ADDITIONAL TUTORIALS RECOMMENDED:
Bezier Pen Tutorial:    • Inkscape Tutorial: Bezier Pen Tool fo...  
How to Remove Background:    • Inkscape Tutorial: How to Remove Back...  
Trace Bitmap (Original):    • Inkscape Trace Bitmap Tutorial: How t...  
Trace Bitmap (New):    • Inkscape Trace Bitmap Tutorial: How t...  
REFERENCE:
Download Inkscape here: inkscape.org/release/inkscape-1.1/

Thank you to Pexels.com for source images.
Dolphin: www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-gray-dolphin-on-blu…
Abstract Soap/Oil: www.pexels.com/photo/purple-green-and-orange-abstr…
Overhead Beach: www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-photography-of-seashor…

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Check out my personal channel: youtube.com/c/RickJohanson
Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/rickjohanson
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rickyjohanson/

All Comments (21)
  • @Gothicgarlic
    Thanks so much for this clear, concise and helpful tutorial!
  • @dawn4627
    THANK YOU! I just wasted my entire morning watching other YouTubers ramble on and on but not teach me a single thing! You explained everything so clearly... And now I finally have a little bit of working knowledge on how to use Inkscape. Thank you for this!
  • @rodbarnes273
    Thanks for this. I downloaded Inkscape awhile back but didn’t get anywhere with it because I didn’t understand any of it. I’m sure I’ll be replaying your tutorials several times but this one started clearing the fog for me.
  • @XingWithJulie
    Oh my god this was such an amazing tutorial. I’ve had Inkscape mainly for converting raster images to vector images but you taught me so many thing I had no clue about. Thank you!!
  • You are so clear and concise. Keep up keeping the world informed by sharing your gift!
  • @donnaleiber6214
    Outstanding overview and introduction! Your presentation style is engaging, articulate, and appropriately paced. Very helpful content. I look forward to watching many more of your videos.
  • @vmsc199
    I just got into Inkscape. This tutorial is clear and concise. Thank you for making it!
  • @RocknRollCEO
    Can't thank you enough, Rick! That was a beginner tutorial and a half. Love it.
  • You have a real skill for clarity and pacing. I have used Adobe Creative Cloud for years but don't want to pay hundreds a year to rent software. Yet I could not get my head around Inkscape. This was the first time I watched an Inkscape tutorial that was crystal clear and I totally got everything. Top man!
  • I was just tired of searching for a beginner's guide for Inkscape. But when I clicked on your video, it was so easy to understand basic tools and everything. You are doing good work. Best of luck.
  • I must say that this guy is really very good. I don't know him, have never met him but this is a GREAT introduction to INKSCAPE. I was kind of like a guy with a BROWN belt in Karate; I knew just enough to get beat up and not accomplish too much along the way. Just a metaphor, not meant to make fun of someone with a BROWN belt in ANYTHING.. I should say that I'm a disabled veteran. I enjoy trying to do this vector are, albeit not too good yet. I have tried some other paths and this is by far the best one yet. Thank you sir. I truly have enjoyed this exercise and plan to watch this intro a couple of more times.
  • Very clear and I really appreciate the notations stating the skill involved in that portion of the video! Terrific!
  • @1worldatlas
    You are an amazing teacher! Thank you! I've learned more from you than anywhere else on the whole wide web!
  • Love your channel! I stumbled across it as I was looking how to change a PNG to a SVG on Inkscape. Before I knew it, I was down a rabbit hole watching the background removal video and then this one. You're great explaining the technology - thank you!
  • Absolutely fabulous tutorial. A HUGE thank you. The fog is clearing. You are a great teacher.
  • Thank you Rick this is by far one of the best tutorials for Inkscape I have seen in a long time. Your patience with making sure that every detail is explained is fantastic! I can't wait to see your other lessons. Thank you please keep up the good work.
  • @brentonreed6834
    Thank you so much for this video, I've recently started using Inkscape and I'm overwhelmed by all the functions + tools but they way you explained everything just gives me the assurance I needed. Keep up the good work Rick
  • @Freddowasher5
    Thanks for this comprehensive and very clear introduction to the basics of Inkscape. Just downloaded the programme and I'm now looking forward to trying it.
  • @carrie4805
    Great introduction! Was an easy watch. Great pace and clear. Thanks so much.