In part 1 of this tutorial series on Bezier curves, we learned how to use the Bezier tool, also known as the Pen Tool, in Inkscape to do a basic stroke with one arc, and how to adjust that arc.

In part 2 on Bezier curves, we will learn how to add several nodes to an existing stroke path, which will give you the ability to create a curve line with many arcs on one stroke path. Open up your Goldy practice file in Inkscape. Click on the Edit Nodes button in the left toolbar:

Click and hold each node, signified by a square, and move them to approximately these locations, which are basically the beginning and ending of the curve line we are going to create. Use the arc adjustment tool, the circle, to adjust the angle or arc of the stroke path.

Now, you can see where we will need to add an additional curves to this stroke path, toward Goldy’s nose. Click on the stroke path and then click on the Edit Nodes button in the left toolbar:

And then click on the Add Node button in the top toolbar:

Now this is where it gets tricky, click on the stroke path where you want the new node to go and then click the Add Node button again. Then the new node should appear on the path where you clicked, like so:

This might take a bit of practice to get the placement where you want it. Now we need to use the arc adjusters, the circles, to get the arc on the back of Goldy to line up. Don’t worry so much about the nose side right now, as we are going to add another node there to better control that arc for the nose. Just basically get the back arc and then pull out the left arc to allow for room to get the curve for the nose.

Getting even more granular in our illustration, lets add the node for the nose curve. Again, click on the Edit Node button on the left toolbar, then click the stroke path, and finally click on Add Node. This time you may notice that Inkscape will place the node where it finds is the best place on the stroke based on your previous strokes. This can be a good and bad thing. I’ll save for another tutorial how to manually move nodes, as in this case, we can work with where it automatically placed the new node.

Adjust the arc handles, by dragging them around. Notice how when you adjust one side the other side will move. So, you need to adjust both sides until you get the style of wave or curve you want, like so:

Now, if you click on the Select tool, the Arrow icon, in the left toolbar,

it will give you a view of just the stroke path to you’re cool new wave curve!