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General Chat => Creative Common => Topic started by: uncle fester on 15 May, 2009, 11:28:28 AM

Title: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: uncle fester on 15 May, 2009, 11:28:28 AM
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.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Tweak72 on 15 May, 2009, 11:41:35 AM
Option 1

(//http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1117/983887149_852bed4417_o.jpg)

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)
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Professor Bear on 15 May, 2009, 12:27:44 PM
I have found the most reliable way to make inking enjoyable is to get someone else to do it.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: uncle fester on 15 May, 2009, 01:55:48 PM
Three valid points well put, I feel. Each has their own merit! And welcome to the board, Professah!
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Richmond Clements on 15 May, 2009, 02:05:49 PM
The Bear has been here before...
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: uncle fester on 15 May, 2009, 02:12:44 PM
I saw one post and have jumped to conclusions...  :)
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Professor Bear on 15 May, 2009, 03:33:31 PM
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.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 15 May, 2009, 03:46:32 PM
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...?
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Bolt-01 on 15 May, 2009, 03:47:30 PM
Well I'll be... the Bear is back...

Howdy Prof.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: uncle fester on 15 May, 2009, 04:12:50 PM
Know exactly what you mean DarkJimbo, which is half the issue with me not enjoying inking - and skipping straight to paint!
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: uncle fester on 15 May, 2009, 04:15:47 PM
Quote from: "Professah Byah"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.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Bouwel on 15 May, 2009, 04:28:21 PM
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)
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: jock on 15 May, 2009, 04:37:04 PM
draw with your ink! don't just trace, the finished product will feel very dead, draw + add to the pencils.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: uncle fester on 15 May, 2009, 04:43:28 PM
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.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: pauljholden on 15 May, 2009, 04:57:19 PM
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
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: House of Usher on 15 May, 2009, 05:31:22 PM
Quote from: "uncle fester"I thought it was kinda frowned upon in some circles
I don't know about that. I remember once upon a time DC ran a series of promotional features in their monthly titles showing what their artists did, and they were delighted to show fans what the same pencils looked like inked by three different Batman artists. Drawing was definitely a big part of what those inkers were shown to be doing.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: dyl on 15 May, 2009, 05:45:05 PM
If you're inking over loose pencils make sure you've got the structure right, eyes level, good solid poses, good indication of the major folds and creases on clothing on figures and all of your perspective sussed on backgrounds. Stuff like that is hard to get right in the inks especially if you're not that confident.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: radiator on 15 May, 2009, 06:51:26 PM
QuoteI 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...?

Exactly how I often feel about my own work!

I've also completely given up on inking over my original pencils as I hold my pencil so hard and the lines are so heavy, the amount of erasing I need to do to get rid of them shreds the inks as well, ruining the picture even further! Also the amount of erasing I do during the drawing process kind of ruins the surface of the paper/board for inking.

It used to really piss me off as my friends and family would always prefer the original sketch to the finished piece! This frustrated me to the point where I stopped erasing my pencils and just scanned and coloured over the top - this actually achieves a quite nice effect, by keeping the energy of the original drawing....

Exhibit A: //http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs25/i/2008/168/f/0/Tribal_2_by_TomBerryArtist.jpg

At the moment I'm experimenting with photocopying my pencils as faintly as I can, then inking over the copies and erasing the faint lines in Photoshop with curves.

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

Couldn't agree more... I'll also add that I never start inking 'cold'. It always, always takes me about an hour or two of doodling before I can warm up enough to draw anything - this applies to inking as well.

I think my own inking improved greatly when I stopped trying to ink in a really slick and minimalist way, and just got stuck in - not being too precious and taking more risks - you can always correct mistakes later on after all!
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: SuperSurfer on 15 May, 2009, 10:53:50 PM
For what its worth, as an amateur, I really enjoy the inking stage – perhaps more than pencilling. Pencilling can be a bit of a trial to get things right, with lots of reworking to get things in the right place, get proportions correct etc (well, as correct as I can get them). Once the basics are there I enjoy working in the detail and I almost see inking as a continuation of this. I like seeing the drawing come to life with the inks. I don't really see it as two totally separate stages – one is a continuation of the other.

Perhaps don't work up your pencils so tightly. Maybe leave some of the final tightening up for the inking stage?

I'd suggest looking at some of the websites that show pencilled art alongside inked art to see how far pencillers take things.

I guess so many 2000AD artists have distinct inking styles which is one of the many reasons why I enjoy their art more than a lot of US comic art.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Darren Stephens on 17 May, 2009, 02:58:39 PM
Agree with Jock. I do very loose pencils and add lots more details as I ink. It makes inking more exciting. You can see the work 'develop' in front of your eyes...like the slowest polaroid known to man!  :D
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Peter Wolf on 19 May, 2009, 10:52:48 PM
I dont know how to make the inking process more enjoyable .Learning curves are never that enjoyable but the more you do the easier it gets and you never stop learning so my advice is to stick some music on and shut up and get on with the work that needs to get done because you wont improve by asking someone else to do it for you or by shying away from it.Everytime you ink something you will improve by default.

You are adding an extra dimension to your work by inking.You shouldnt be just repeating it.Look at it that way.A lot of my work is boring like plastering a ceiling or sticking up plaster mouldings which repeat themselves 500 times by the time i have gone all the way round the ceiling in the  room.Concentrate and get into it and again music really helps.


I used to be scared of inking which is why everything i drew stayed in pencil to the point of it being finished.


I used to be terrible at pressing too hard with a pencil that left indented lines on the paper.Not any more though as i broke the habit which took some time.I draw on heavy art card instead of paper which if you dont press to hard and draw heavy lines on you can rub out as many times as you like without degrading the surface of the paper as the pencil leaves no trace.

Honestly if any of you dont use Photoshoppery and just use paper then draw and ink on heavy art card [i dont know what else to call it] as the ink just glides over it and you can get very very fine lines.Also only ink with Black Indian Ink .Theres 2 kinds :One with Shellac and one without.The shellac type is much better and has better obliterating qualities and it dries shiny on the paper.The Non shellac variety is not as good and doesnt have the same depth of colour especially when inking in large flat areas.A bit wishy washy although you can probably correct that with Photoshop.

Bristol Board is fine if your work doesnt have lots of  fine detail but it doesnt work for what i do.

The heavy art card is very cheap as it is sold in very large sheets that you can cut up to whatever size you want.It costs about 2 quid a sheet.

Inking with brushes is much more enjoyable than using pens etc.I had so many  flat and lifeless disasters [cue intense self loathing and feelings of inadequacy] with pens i gave up with them.You can get a lot more fluidity with brushes as it is easier to draw as it were with brushes.

Otherwise what do i know ? as i have only just started.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Hoagy on 20 May, 2009, 02:36:12 AM
Get very stoned and work by a stop watch. You would not believe how rewarding it can be. Be prepared to discontinue any flourishing relationship though. Apparently, according to them, dope smoking is a leisurely activity. F**k no!
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Queen Firey-Bou on 20 May, 2009, 10:50:34 AM
I've been wrestling with this stuff too, taking time out from comic projects until i feel happier with lines,  I hate the notion of drawing things twice, don't do tight pencils, kill things when trying to do crisp ink lines... so am veering towards a scribbled painted approach, just sketchy pencils & then get horsed in with brush ( or photoshop )... just got a pentel brush pen tho which is joy to behold & may again change things..also a water brush pen which i look forward to playing with. The work thats currently inspiring me most is very loose European illustration work, and a lot of kids books at the mo have really loose rough lined illos.

we'll see.... I like PJ's idea of working the two at same time.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Peter Wolf on 20 May, 2009, 11:40:18 AM
"just got a pentel brush pen tho which is joy to behold & may again change things."

Can anyone tell me any more about Pentel brush pens ?

They are for sale in the art shop for 12 quid .Just wondering if they are worth it and curious what they can do that a paintbrush cant ?

Any good for fine detailed work or are they better for painting in broad strokes ?

Any advice is much appreciated.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 03 June, 2009, 10:20:55 PM
Can I absolutely and unreservedly recommend the DC Comics Guide to Inking (//http://www.amazon.co.uk/DC-Comics-Guide-Inking/dp/0823010295/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244062027&sr=8-3) by Klaus Janson, which I've just finished reading.

It's interesting that there are a number of comments in the reviews where people are complaining that this isn't a 'how-to', that it doesn't tell you which number Windsor & Newton brush to use to ink brunette hair, but that rather misses the point.

Janson's book is about thinking like an inker, about what an inker does. I have to say that it's credit to DC that they had this book authored by one of their most distinctive inkers, rather than a slicker one (or, some might say, a more faithful inker).

The book is an excellent read, and one of the most interesting things is the way that it uses enlarged panels by various inkers. If -- like me -- you're a horrendously hesitant inker, it's fascinating to see the work of top-level inkers focussed on to this degree, to see all the little ticks and quirks.

I'll admit that the horrendously over-inked entry I've just posted in the competition probably isn't the best advert for what I've just written, but it was reading Janson's book that helped me drift off into a little Zen place and just start to feel the rhythm of the strokes and the linework.

I'd also thoroughly recommend going digital, if you haven't already -- that way you can create your basic illustration as pencils, or digitally, but leave things like the shading to do at the 'inking' stage knowing that you can put the shading on a separate layer to the main linework and just discard the shading and start again. It makes you much bolder, and hesitancy is death to good inking.

(On top of that, there are a couple of genuine advantages over traditional inking if it's something you're not massively comfortable with ... you can't smudge digital inks with your hand, and you can change brush/pen size instantly without ever releasing your grip on the pen itself, which makes the whole process feel much more fluid and, ironically, more natural.)

I'm currently rather enjoying inking in Manga Studio Debut, whose pen and brush tools seem to do what I want much more than Photoshop does, and which delivers better performance than Illustrator, which tends to slow down when confronted with hundreds of brush strokes that are all individual, editable items.  MS Debut sacrifices a number of features over the EX version -- I'm not sure what they are, but all the inking tools are there and the Debut version has one real benefit: it's only £30.

As for Janson's book ... it may be the best £13 I've spent this year.

Cheers!

Jim
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Adrian Bamforth on 03 June, 2009, 11:23:33 PM
I find that using a lightbox to ink means you can switch off the box at intervals and you can see the 'finished' inks with bo pencil lines. That way you get the benefit of instant gratification, as well as not having to rub out precious pencils. By keeping the lines safe on another sheet you can also just relax more, and experiment in the knowledge that you can just re-ink any bits you don't like.

However, the down side is you have to slump over a desk while I prefer to draw in as relaxed position possible (I get extremely exhausted drawing and need to find any way possible to 'pace' myself and reduce the stress) - so I might try getting some 'blue line' photocopies made of the pencils and inking straight over tham.

I also long ago banned any kind of volatile substances for inking, to help reduce stress, effort and smudges. I can't be done with waiting for the ink to dry all the time (a decision I made when Chris Weston told me he just uses regular Edding pens). If I want brush-lines I use a (Pentel) brushpen. If I want to fill a black space I use markers. Furthermore, because I currently light-box my pencils I use glossy paper (and have done since I had the revelation that the blank inside cover of the paper pads is farr better for inking on than the paper itself) for zero bleed, clear deliniation between black and white, and an ultra-smooth surface which it literally less effort to move your brush around on.

Hope that helps.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Kerrin on 03 June, 2009, 11:41:09 PM
It's amazing what a perishable skill drawing is.

I'm just getting back into drawing again really and inking isn't something I used to give much thought to. Not any more though and I've been trying to kind of make it up as I go along. Pretty unsuccessfully so far unfortunately, so I've also invested in the DC guide (it's great) and a couple of other references/manuals to help me along. I could really do with investing in some decent equipment. Having said that I found a three pack of fineliners by Papermate in conjunction with Rotring at Tescos the other day, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 waterproof ink for £4.89. They've got a nice 'feel' as well. A desk would be a real luxury at the moment.

I think I may follow Radiators advice and do a couple of light pencil sketches, photocopy them and then just have a go with a few different techniques. It's very difficult not to get too precious with your art and I think I probably just need to loosen up on the inkwork.

I'm also trying to get my head round the possibilties available with digital art and that's pretty good fun as well.

Fully agree with Bou about the brush pens, I got one a while back and they encourage a really nice, loose drawing style, but can also be used for detail. I think I found the best price by just googling 'Pentel brushpen', it was definitely less than £12.

Thanks to all for being so generous with some excellent advice.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Peter Wolf on 04 June, 2009, 08:18:52 PM
"I use glossy paper (and have done since I had the revelation that the blank inside cover of the paper pads is farr better for inking on than the paper itself) for zero bleed, clear deliniation between black and white, and an ultra-smooth surface which it literally less effort to move your brush around on."

I am doing exactly the same thing.

Also if you smudge the ink on the surface of this kind paper it dries on the surface and i have found that you can actually scrape it back off the surface with the edge of a very sharp scalpel blade without even ruining the surface of the paper if you are very careful.This only works with shellac based black indian ink as shellac is brittle when it has set.It dries fast as well.

I used to to take inking for granted until i tried it myself.Its almost like a science.For some inexplicable reason i used to take it for granted and not analyse it as i more into looking at what was on the page rather than studying how it was actually drawn and inked.I never stopped to think about what exactly it was that i liked about a particular artist.I just liked it.

Not anymore thanks to threads here and trying it for myself.

I will never look at the art in the same way again.

Thanks for the the book recommendation as i am trying to understand shading and shadow etc so it becomes second nature so it might help which like you say is thinking like an inker.

Everything becomes second nature if you do enough of it.

The brush is just a tool that you have to learn to use.

I spent hours with different brushes trying to get brush strokes that are like long thin straight points.Feathering.I got there in the end after trying all different brushes.I realised in the end it was as much the way that you hold the brush and draw it across the surface to get the result you want.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: uncle fester on 04 June, 2009, 11:41:05 PM
I'd just like to say a big Thanks to everyone who's contributed their opinion on this, I really appreaciate it. Lots of positives to take away, and a few pitfalls avoided.

I sometimes find myself wondering if I'm going mad as I don't know anyone socially who has any appreciation for what we try to achieve with things like pens, paper, tablets and art software, and as such, this forum is the only place I can really ask! The general look I get when I say "Drawing comics is a passion of mine" is a blank one! Thanks again to all - and keep the advice coming.

Fester

PS Peter, never thought of glossy paper, will experiment.

Kerrin, I also found those Rotring / Papermate pens on Tuesday - what a find! They also come in 0.1 - 0.8 inclusive.

Jim, I do use digital for some inking and all colours. I'd heard of Managa Studio as I think Dave Gibbons did a video on it on imaginefx, but I didn't realise it was that cheap - where did you get it? I'll look for that book too.

Adrian, I built my own lightbox but try to keep the sesssions with that to a minimum as it hurts my head after a while... :D
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Peter Wolf on 05 June, 2009, 12:09:57 AM
The paper or heavy art card is doublesided by the way or at least the kind i use is.Its not glossy either as the surface is dead flat but its like a semi matt or satin finish.Also its quite a hard surface that is harder to leave lines in if you press too hard with a pencil.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: uncle fester on 05 June, 2009, 12:18:07 AM
Cool. What's the brand, or is it just a certain gsm?
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Peter Wolf on 05 June, 2009, 12:56:53 AM
Quote from: "uncle fester"Cool. What's the brand, or is it just a certain gsm?

Now thats what i am not sure about as last time i went to the art shop they had run out until the next delivery.When i go back on Saturday i will ask what it is if they have any new stock.

I dont know what the weight of it is but its 2 mil thick with a cardboard core as the 2 sides are like a laminate.I think i am certain that this is the same material that some of the original 2000ad artists drew and inked on.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 05 June, 2009, 07:27:07 AM
Quote from: "uncle fester"Jim, I do use digital for some inking and all colours. I'd heard of Managa Studio as I think Dave Gibbons did a video on it on imaginefx, but I didn't realise it was that cheap - where did you get it? I'll look for that book too.

I have to admit it was Gibbons' video that piqued my interest.

As for buying Manga Studio - I got my copy as a direct download purchased from the company that makes the software:  Smith Micro (//http://shop.smithmicro.com/v2.0-img/operations/aladdins/site/567350/lp/manga_debut4_uk.html).

As I said, I have no idea what features are omitted from the the "Debut" version that you get in the "EX" version, but the inking tools were all I was interested in, and they seem to work just fine. I like the idea that you can work on multi-page documents as well, although I'm thinking more of a sketchbook than a continuous story as they suggest in the software's manual.

Hope that helps!

Cheers

Jim
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Peter Wolf on 06 June, 2009, 02:11:08 PM
Quote from: "uncle fester"Cool. What's the brand, or is it just a certain gsm?

None in the shop again.

Disappointing.

I might have to take a sample of it into the shop to find out more or order some of it but its a problem because i am running out of it.

its so difficult to get what you want sometimes.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Peter Wolf on 06 June, 2009, 02:50:46 PM
Quote from: "uncle fester"Cool. What's the brand, or is it just a certain gsm?

Success !!

 :D


http://www.cowlingandwilcox.com/detail. ... uctid=8495 (http://www.cowlingandwilcox.com/detail.aspx?productid=8495)

I havent tried this yet but it seems like the solution to the problem.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Peter Wolf on 06 June, 2009, 09:09:30 PM
Since found out that its called Ivory board.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Dog Deever on 11 September, 2009, 06:09:35 PM
My pencil work is extremely loose (probably too much so). I like inking, but I'm not very confident (or good) at it. I don't put too much stock in 'the right' tools as I believe in 'horses for courses' etc. I also think it's a poor workperson that blames their tools. That said- obviously, there's a basic minimum standard needed, but beyond that I reckon you've just got to find the pens/ brushes, papers and software that work for you.

I too use a light box- like Radiator, I'm far too heavy handed with the pencils for anything else. I'm also very messy with them- I've tried everything I can think of to change this but it doesn't seem to make much difference and in the long run I think I just have to accept that's how it is and deal with it however I can.

I've exclusively used brushes in the past, though recently I've exclusively used pens. I think I'm gravitating towards a mix of both. Typical- find the most awkward way to do something and that's how I'll end up doing it!
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Peter Wolf on 11 September, 2009, 07:45:34 PM
Make inking enjoyable by buying a Pentel brush Pen.

Its easier to control than a brush and it doesnt clog up with ink which means you dont have to keep rinsing it in water plus you dont have to keep dipping it in the inkwell.

This just makes inking so much easier and means you can get more done with less effort.Its not worth using one of these to black in large areas as these pens use replaceable cartidges .I havent tried refilling a cartidge yet instead of replacing it.

Well worth 12 quid.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Kerrin on 11 September, 2009, 08:39:39 PM
You can get one on Amazon for £8.50 inclusive of postage. Here's the link (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pentel-GFKP3A-A-Brush-Pen-Black/dp/B001WAKDGI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=officeproduct&qid=1252697733&sr=8-1).
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Peter Wolf on 12 September, 2009, 12:19:35 PM
Beware of the ink that the cartridges for these pens contain.Its fine on paper as paper absorbs but i use Ivory board .As the board doesnt absorb ink i have found that the ink stays slightly sticky and is easily smudged.

To get over this problem i refilled a cartridge myself with Indian Ink which drys in seconds and doesnt smudge.Plus its far more economical

End of problem.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: HdE on 13 September, 2009, 05:01:09 PM
Wow - what an  excellent, excellent thread! I'll be grabbing one of those brush pens tout suite!

I have to say, I seem to fit into the category of 'abnormal artists' in taht I really enjoy inking. Partly it's because I take an absolute age over pencilling stuff, but I usually mage the inks really quickly. I tend to pin a couple of pages on my drawing board at a time and skip around them inking different parts as a I go.

I generally stick some Rush, Yes or Auf Der Maur in my stereo, brew up a hot, sweet coffee, stick on the headphones and then let the ink flow.

I think confidence is the biggest problem with inking - Quite often I'll sit down to ink something and I'll find all the longer pencil lines very intimidating. I generally start with smaller strokes and after a while, when I've warmed up, I'll tackle the larger strokes. I make sure I always have a correction pen handy, just in case. If I mess up really big style, then there's always the option of tweaking in Photoshop. I try to bear things like that in mind all the time, as it quashes any time spent agonizing over what to do with any given detail. It's all about keeping it speedy.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Bolt-01 on 13 September, 2009, 07:14:55 PM
I'm a Pen 'bot when it comes to inking, but I have to admit that I do not regret AT ALL buying a pentel brush pen. A fantastic little piece of kit.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: pauljholden on 13 September, 2009, 08:59:12 PM
I've lately really changed my process, here it is:

1) Pencil the page - this is usually pretty loose (in the case of Happy Valley, it's really loose - nothing more than outlines of things - almost no rendering, and no blacks are spotted)

2) Scan the page in (using my lvoely, lovely A3 Scanner/Printer combo).

3) Fiddle with the pencils, moving things around, shrinking bits, enlarging bits, etc.

4) Convert the b&w pencils to blueline, draw panel borders over the artwork in black (in photoshop)

5) Print the page (using the above mentioned printer/scanner combo)

6) Ink - using a brush and black india ink - I will not dirty my hands with markers - they ruin your artwork - blueshifting all over the place, plus the lack of water proofness is another reason to avoid.

7) Scan the final inks

Can you guess the steps I've missed out? Rubbing out - I hardly rub anything out, even at the pencils stage - usually I rub out to correct things, now I tend to just keep pencilling and correct anything I need to in photoshop.

-pj
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: HdE on 13 September, 2009, 11:11:23 PM
Say, I got a question - who uses what as far as pens are concerned?

Up till now, I've done all of my inking with disposable pilot drawing pens (I use about 3 different weights) and this has given me some great results. It also gives me some scrappy edges to my line art, which I kinda like.

Just wondered if anybody could give me a persuasive reason to go over to using a proper tech pen. I've owned a Rotring before, but didn't get on with it.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Peter Wolf on 31 October, 2009, 11:12:31 AM
How to make inking enjoyable:

I have started a competition entry .This involved inking a background of outer space .

This involved doing what is known as pontilling which is a multitude of tiny dots that create an effect.for some of this i used indian ink and a brush and in other areas i used a pen.The surface i am inking onto is ivory board which is non absorbant so the ink dries by hardening rather than soaking into the surface i am drawing onto.

The only problem is the inking i did last night has not dried and i just smudged it so this piece of art is now irretrievably Fucked.

WTF is it with ink that is in pens that takes so long to dry ?

Useless shit.I use indian ink and it dries almost instantaniously.

Is it too much to ask to expect pen ink to have dried 12 hrs after it was applied to the surface of the board ?

This is also exactly the problem i have found with the ink in a Pentel brush Pen as well so its not much use to me at all.

None of these pens had warnings on them from the manufacturers about this problem and none of these pens have this pen contains non drying ink on them either.

Have any other artists ever had this problem with ink ?

So all in all i find that pens dont make inking enjoyable and i am not expressing just how angry i am right now about this problem.

Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Mike Gloady on 31 October, 2009, 11:16:34 AM
Balls, sorry to hear that Peter.

I tend to sketch in real pencil and do inks, colours etc on the computer due to far too many similar experiences...  The possibility of being able to experiment on digital art is also a blessing.

As to how to make inking interesting, listening to Adam & Joe on BBC radio 6 works for me.  *ink ink ink*
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: uncle fester on 31 October, 2009, 11:32:10 AM
Peter, you could drop the dried-out version in to photoshop (or equivalent) when you've finished the rest of the piece. That way you can tidy up any smudges and mistakes, and save what sounds like a lot of work.

It's relatively easy to do. I should know, I've managed to make a mess of most of my previous entries at some stage or other!

It would be a shame to waste it, and I want to see pontilling in an Art Comp entry!
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Peter Wolf on 31 October, 2009, 07:14:55 PM
Quote from: uncle fester on 31 October, 2009, 11:32:10 AM
Peter, you could drop the dried-out version in to photoshop (or equivalent) when you've finished the rest of the piece. That way you can tidy up any smudges and mistakes, and save what sounds like a lot of work.

It's relatively easy to do. I should know, I've managed to make a mess of most of my previous entries at some stage or other!

It would be a shame to waste it, and I want to see pontilling in an Art Comp entry!

I scrapped it as i couldnt stand even looking at it but i shall beware of using pens in future especially if they are of the non drying ink variety which nearly all of them are.

The only alternative is to work from right to left which is because i am left handed.This is what i used to do when i did signwriting to aviod wrecking my own work.Theres no demand for signwriyting anymore because of stick on plastic lettering and all that kind of Shit.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Mike Gloady on 31 October, 2009, 07:28:35 PM
Very few stores that use that off-the-peg lettering for their signage look that inviting, the trade of signwriting as such may be dead, but design, branding and even (ooooh JIM!) lettering could have a lot to teach smaller businesses.  A good sign shows the business has pride in itself.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Peter Wolf on 31 October, 2009, 07:37:35 PM
Quote from: Mike Gloady on 31 October, 2009, 07:28:35 PM
Very few stores that use that off-the-peg lettering for their signage look that inviting, the trade of signwriting as such may be dead, but design, branding and even (ooooh JIM!) lettering could have a lot to teach smaller businesses.  A good sign shows the business has pride in itself.

It certainly does .I say its a dead trade but i dont bother doing any advertising saying that i do it either but there is probably a need for traditionally painted shop signs especially in London with more upmarket shops and pubs wanting traditionally painted shop signs.
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Mike Gloady on 31 October, 2009, 07:53:00 PM
A traditionally painted sign stands out a mile and has a certain cachet that those plastic things can never live up to.  Maybe a little advert is worth experimenting with?  Just to see if there's enough demand to make it worth your while?
Title: Re: How to make inking enjoyable...?
Post by: Peter Wolf on 31 October, 2009, 08:25:43 PM
Quote from: Mike Gloady on 31 October, 2009, 07:53:00 PM
A traditionally painted sign stands out a mile and has a certain cachet that those plastic things can never live up to.  Maybe a little advert is worth experimenting with?  Just to see if there's enough demand to make it worth your while?

Perhaps i should as there is probably hardly anyone doing it.Its lettering that i do as i never did any visuals but i would happily paint logos.

Handpainted shop signs definately look classy though.No question about it.

Fuck all of that peel-off and plastic lettering.Lazy cheap looking low class shite.

YUK.