How to make inking enjoyable...?

[uncle fester]

I apologise to any lurking inkers/inking fans here but god in a bucket, I really find inking dull.

So here's the thing. You've put together a five page layout and all the pencils are happy and jolly, inking looms on the horizon like a cloud and you basically have to do everything all over again. So how to make it enjoyable?

Meditation? Loud music? Biscuits?

Suggestions? Do tell.

[Tweak72]

Option 1



Option 2

Scan it in to Photoshop and arse about with the contrast and colour settings and such like. (Like Roman Dirge of Lanor fame does)

[Professor Bear]

I have found the most reliable way to make inking enjoyable is to get someone else to do it.

[uncle fester]

Three valid points well put, I feel. Each has their own merit! And welcome to the board, Professah!

[Richmond Clements]

The Bear has been here before...

[uncle fester]

I saw one post and have jumped to conclusions...  

[Professor Bear]

I've been up every street, me.

Inking in photoshop - Scan pencils as a colour document at 300dpi minimum.  Make sure the file is roughly that resolution when you start inking, too, as any lower and the artwork looks blurry or pixellated when printed.  I presume print is the endgame, but if not, you can work with a lower resolution for the web.  Try mucking about with image/adjustments/curves (ctrl+m) or image/adjustments/'brightness/contrast' for approximate inking effects, but bear in mind this is only half the job unless your pencils are super-tight.

Many recommend Illustrator for inking, but I can't speak of such things.

[Dark Jimbo]

I tend to find that generally I'm really pleased with my pencils, but when it comes to ink them I somehow manage to suck all the detail, fun and sense of movement from them. Anyone else know where I'm coming from...?

[Bolt-01]

Well I'll be... the Bear is back...

Howdy Prof.

[uncle fester]

Know exactly what you mean DarkJimbo, which is half the issue with me not enjoying inking - and skipping straight to paint!

[uncle fester]

I've been up every street, me.

Inking in photoshop - Scan pencils as a colour document at 300dpi minimum.  Make sure the file is roughly that resolution when you start inking, too, as any lower and the artwork looks blurry or pixellated when printed.  I presume print is the endgame, but if not, you can work with a lower resolution for the web.  Try mucking about with image/adjustments/curves (ctrl+m) or image/adjustments/'brightness/contrast' for approximate inking effects, but bear in mind this is only half the job unless your pencils are super-tight.

Many recommend Illustrator for inking, but I can't speak of such things.

I'm with you up to that point, Prof. That's how I usually work. But as Jimbo has previously said, a lot of the time you can find the life being sucked out of your pencils, tight or not.

[Bouwel]

Inking was about the one thing I liked about my graphic design course.

I'm guessing that makes me...odd?

-Bouwel-
(Everything is better with bears, btw)

[jock]

draw with your ink! don't just trace, the finished product will feel very dead, draw + add to the pencils.

[uncle fester]

Ah now that's an answer I was hoping for. Though I thought it was kinda frowned upon in some circles, it seems like the only way that I'm comfortable working.

Much obliged, Jock.

[pauljholden]

List to Jock, for he is wise...
(Try pencilling and inking at the same time, ie, draw bits of a panel in pencils, ink them, rub them out, then add more to it. Make the whole thing more organic. May not work out for you, but it's how I do it...)

-pj