How to Draw a Line in Photoshop (3 Simple Methods)

(Last updated on August 30th, 2023)

Short Summary

• To draw a line in Photoshop, you can use the Line tool, the Brush tool, the Pencil tool, or the Pen tool.
• The Line tool lets you draw a straight line at any angle by clicking and dragging on the canvas.
• The Brush tool and the Pencil tool let you draw a freehand line by clicking and dragging on the canvas. You can also draw a straight line by clicking and holding Shift.
• The Pen tool and the Curvature Pen tool let you draw a curved line by clicking and dragging on the canvas. You can also edit their shape by moving, adding, or deleting anchor points and direction handles.

Do you want to learn how to draw different types of lines in Photoshop? Whether you are a beginner or a pro, knowing how to draw lines is a useful skill for graphic design and illustration. Lines can help you create various effects and styles, such as grids, guides, borders, frames, arrows, zigzags, waves, swirls, circles, arcs, and more.

In this article, I will show you how to draw straight, curved, broken, and dotted lines in Photoshop using various tools and methods. You will learn how to use the Line tool, the Brush tool, the Pencil tool, and the Pen tool to create lines of different shapes, colors, thicknesses, and styles.

What kind of lines do you use most often in your projects? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

How to Draw a Straight Line in Photoshop

A straight line is a line that has no curves or bends. It can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. To draw a straight line in Photoshop, you can use the following tools:

Line Tool

The Line tool is a simple and easy way to draw a straight line at any angle. To use the Line tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Line tool from the Tools panel or press U on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a thickness for your line from the Width option in the Options bar. You can also choose a style for your line from the Stroke Options panel, such as solid, dashed, or dotted.
4. Click and drag on your canvas to draw a straight line. You can hold Shift to constrain the angle of your line to 0°, 45°, or 90°.
5. Release the mouse button when you are happy with your line.

Brush Tool

The Brush tool is another way to draw a straight line in Photoshop. The Brush tool allows you to adjust the size, hardness, and opacity of your line. To use the Brush tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Brush tool from the Tools panel or press B on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a size and hardness for your line from the Brush Settings panel or the Options bar. You can also choose an opacity for your line from the Options bar.
4. Click on your canvas where you want to start your line.
5. Hold Shift and click on your canvas where you want to end your line. A straight line will be drawn between the two points.

Pencil Tool

The Pencil tool is similar to the Brush tool, but it draws a sharp-edged straight line instead of a soft-edged one. The Pencil tool is useful for creating pixel-perfect lines. To use the Pencil tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Pencil tool from the Tools panel or press N on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a size for your line from the Brush Settings panel or the Options bar.
4. Click on your canvas where you want to start your line.
5. Hold Shift and click on your canvas where you want to end your line. A sharp-edged straight line will be drawn between the two points.

How to Draw a Curved Line in Photoshop

A curved line is a line that has one or more bends or turns. It can be smooth or wavy. To draw a curved line in Photoshop, you can use the following tools:

Pen Tool

The Pen tool is one of the most powerful and versatile tools for drawing curved lines in Photoshop. The Pen tool allows you to create vector paths that can be modified and transformed easily. If you’re new to this, getting the hang of using the perspective warp can also enhance your designs. To use the Pen tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Pen tool from the Tools panel or press P on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a thickness and style for your line from the Stroke Options panel or the Options bar.
4. Click and drag on your canvas to create an anchor point and a direction handle. The direction handle controls the shape and direction of your curve.
5. Click and drag on another location on your canvas to create another anchor point and direction handle. A curved segment will be drawn between the two points.
6. Repeat step 5 until you have created your desired curve. You can adjust the shape and direction of your curve by moving the anchor points and direction handles.
7. To close your path, click on the first anchor point or press Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Command+Return (Mac).

Curvature Pen Tool

The Curvature Pen tool is a simplified version of the Pen tool that makes it easier to draw smooth curved lines in Photoshop. The Curvature Pen tool automatically creates smooth curves without the need for direction handles. To use the Curvature Pen tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Curvature Pen tool from the Tools panel or press Shift+P on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a thickness and style for your line from the Stroke Options panel or the Options bar.
4. Click on your canvas to create an anchor point.
5. Click on another location on your canvas to create another anchor point. A smooth curved segment will be drawn between the two points.
6. Repeat step 5 until you have created your desired curve. You can edit your curve by moving, adding, or deleting anchor points.
7. To close your path, click on the first anchor point or press Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Command+Return (Mac).

Brush Tool or Pencil Tool

The Brush tool or the Pencil tool can also be used to draw a freehand curved line in Photoshop. The Brush tool or the Pencil tool allows you to draw a curved line by clicking and dragging on your canvas. To use the Brush tool or the Pencil tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Brush tool or the Pencil tool from the Tools panel or press B or N on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a size, hardness, and opacity for your line from the Brush Settings panel or the Options bar.
4. Click and drag on your canvas to draw a freehand curved line. You can release the mouse button and click and drag again to continue your line.
5. If you want to smooth your line, you can go to Window > Properties and adjust the Smoothing slider in the Properties panel.
6. If you want to erase part of your line, you can select the Eraser tool from the Tools panel or press E on your keyboard and erase as needed.

How to Draw a Broken Line in Photoshop

A broken line is a line that consists of multiple segments that are not connected. It can be straight or curved. To draw a broken line in Photoshop, you can use the following tools:

Line Tool

The Line tool can be used to draw a broken line by clicking and holding Shift multiple times on your canvas. Each time you click and hold Shift, a new segment will be added to your line. To use the Line tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Line tool from the Tools panel or press U on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a thickness and style for your line from the Stroke Options panel or the Options bar.
4. Click and hold Shift on your canvas to draw a straight segment at any angle.
5. Release Shift and move your cursor to another location on your canvas.
6. Click and hold Shift again to draw another straight segment at any angle.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until you have created your desired broken line.

Brush Tool or Pencil Tool

The Brush tool or the Pencil tool can also be used to draw a broken line by clicking and holding Shift multiple times on your canvas. Each time you click and hold Shift, a new segment will be added to your line. To use the Brush tool or the Pencil tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Brush tool or the Pencil tool from the Tools panel or press B or N on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a size, hardness, opacity, and spacing for your line from the Brush Settings panel or the Options bar.
4. Click and hold Shift on your canvas to draw a straight segment at any angle.
5. Release Shift and move your cursor to another location on your canvas.
6. Click and hold Shift again to draw another straight segment at any angle.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until you have created your desired broken line.

Pen Tool or Curvature Pen Tool

The Curvature Pen tool can also be used to draw a broken line by clicking multiple times on your canvas without dragging. Each time you click, a new anchor point will be added to your path. To use the Curvature Pen tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Curvature Pen tool from the Tools panel or press Shift+P on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a thickness and style for your line from the Stroke Options panel or the Options bar.
4. Click on your canvas to create an anchor point.
5. Click on another location on your canvas to create another anchor point. A smooth curved segment will be drawn between the two points.
6. Repeat step 5 until you have created your desired broken line. You can edit your line by moving, adding, or deleting anchor points.
7. To close your path, click on the first anchor point or press Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Command+Return (Mac).

Related Links

• Use the Liquify Tool in Photoshop
• Create Halftone Effects in Photoshop
• Saving Photoshop Images as JPG

How to Draw a Broken Line in Photoshop

A broken line is a line that consists of multiple segments that are not connected. It can be straight or curved. To draw a broken line in Photoshop, you can use the following tools:

Line Tool

The Line tool can be used to draw a broken line by clicking and holding Shift multiple times on your canvas. Each time you click and hold Shift, a new segment will be added to your line. To use the Line tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Line tool from the Tools panel or press U on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a thickness and style for your line from the Stroke Options panel or the Options bar.
4. Click and hold Shift on your canvas to draw a straight segment at any angle.
5. Release Shift and move your cursor to another location on your canvas.
6. Click and hold Shift again to draw another straight segment at any angle.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until you have created your desired broken line.

Brush Tool or Pencil Tool

The Brush tool or the Pencil tool can also be used to draw a broken line by clicking and holding Shift multiple times on your canvas. Each time you click and hold Shift, a new segment will be added to your line. To use the Brush tool or the Pencil tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Brush tool or the Pencil tool from the Tools panel or press B or N on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a size, hardness, opacity, and spacing for your line from the Brush Settings panel or the Options bar.
4. Click and hold Shift on your canvas to draw a straight segment at any angle.
5. Release Shift and move your cursor to another location on your canvas.
6. Click and hold Shift again to draw another straight segment at any angle.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until you have created your desired broken line.

Pen Tool or Curvature Pen Tool

The Pen tool or the Curvature Pen tool can also be used to draw a broken line by clicking multiple times on your canvas without dragging. Each time you click, a new anchor point will be added to your path. To use the Pen tool or the Curvature Pen tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Pen tool or the Curvature Pen tool from the Tools panel or press P or Shift+P on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a thickness and style for your line from the Stroke Options panel or the Options bar.
4. Click on your canvas to create an anchor point.
5. Click on another location on your canvas to create another anchor point. A smooth curved segment will be drawn between the two points.
6. Repeat step 5 until you have created your desired broken line. You can edit your line by moving, adding, or deleting anchor points.
7. To close your path, click on the first anchor point or press Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Command+Return (Mac).

How to Draw a Dotted Line in Photoshop

A dotted line is a line that consists of multiple dots that are spaced apart. It can be straight or curved. To draw a dotted line in Photoshop, you can use the following tools:

Line Tool

The Line tool can be used to draw a dotted line by changing its style from solid to dashed or dotted in the Stroke Options panel. To use the Line tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Line tool from the Tools panel or press U on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a thickness for your line from the Width option in the Options bar.
4. Click on the Stroke Options icon in the Options bar to open the Stroke Options panel.
5. Choose a style for your line from the Type drop-down menu, such as Dash, Dot, Dash Dot, etc.
6. Adjust the length and gap of your dots from the Dash and Gap options in the Stroke Options panel.
7. Click and drag on your canvas to draw a dotted line at any angle.

Brush Tool or Pencil Tool

The Brush tool or the Pencil tool can also be used to draw a dotted line by changing their spacing from 1% to 100% or more in the Brush Settings panel. To use the Brush tool or the Pencil tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Brush tool or the Pencil tool from the Tools panel or press B or N on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a size and hardness for your line from the Brush Settings panel or the Options bar.
4. Click on the Brush Settings icon in the Options bar to open the Brush Settings panel.
5. Choose a spacing for your line from the Spacing option in the Brush Settings panel. The higher the spacing, the more spaced apart your dots will be.
6. Click and drag on your canvas to draw a dotted line at any angle.

Pen Tool or Curvature Pen Tool

The Pen tool or the Curvature Pen tool can also be used to draw a dotted line by changing their stroke from solid to dashed or dotted in the Stroke Options panel. To use the Pen tool or the Curvature Pen tool, follow these steps:

1. Select the Pen tool or the Curvature Pen tool from the Tools panel or press P or Shift+P on your keyboard.
2. Choose a color for your line from the Color Picker or the Swatches panel.
3. Choose a thickness for your line from the Width option in the Options bar.
4. Click on the Stroke Options icon in the Options bar to open the Stroke Options panel.
5. Choose a style for your line from the Type drop-down menu, such as Dash, Dot, Dash Dot, etc.
6. Adjust the length and gap of your dots from the Dash and Gap options in the Stroke Options panel.
7. Click and drag on your canvas to create an anchor point and a direction handle. The direction handle controls the shape and direction of your curve.
8. Click and drag on another location on your canvas to create another anchor point and direction handle. A curved segment will be drawn between the two points.
9. Repeat steps 8 until you have created your desired dotted line. You can adjust the shape and direction of your line by moving the anchor points and direction handles.
10. To close your path, click on the first anchor point or press Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Command+Return (Mac).

Conclusion

In this article, you have learned how to draw different types of lines in Photoshop using various tools and methods. You have learned how to use the Line tool, the Brush tool, the Pencil tool, and the Pen tool to create lines of different shapes, colors, thicknesses, and styles.

Drawing lines is a fundamental skill for graphic design and illustration purposes. You can use lines to create various effects and styles, such as grids, guides, borders, frames, arrows, zigzags, waves, swirls, circles, arcs, and more.

I hope you have enjoyed this article and found it useful and informative. I encourage you to practice what you have learned and experiment with different combinations of tools and settings.

If you have any feedback, questions, or suggestions, please feel free to share them in the comments section below. I would love to hear from you.

Thank you for your time and attention, and I hope to see you again soon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)