Need inking advice

[Trusty Mutsi]

I've always done tight pencils and then just scanned the art and pulled levels in photoshop to do final art.

I've finally started doing some digital inking with a Wacom tablet, but now I'd like to stop being lazy and start inking by hand.

Can anyone give me some advice on how to get started? In other words, what brushes or pens are best, and how I can best start practicing?

Thanks in advance!

[elheffe]

I don't know any website for inking offhand, but I bet if you Google "Comic Book Inking" or some variation of that you'll probably find something. Also, this book is a good resource:

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/1593074050.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[clayholio]

That's a good book, and I think there's a DC inking book done by Klaus Janson that's probably pretty good (I've read his pencilling book, and it was really, really good, and Janson's a really, really good inker...). All the info on tools that you could ever need will be in those books, or you might consider finding personal websites of inkers that you like. Sometimes, they'll have some advice or info on how they do their work.

[Trusty Mutsi]

Great, thank you VERY much guys!

[Jaye]

And if you don't want a book, go to an art store and buy a variety of sizes MICRON PIGMA PENS
http://www.conservationresources.com/Main/section_24/section24_04_files/image003.jpg

or invest in Rapidograph pens (I love Koh-i-Noor brand);
http://www.dick-blick.com/items/210/03/21003-2109-2ww-m.jpg


or buy a pen holder (http://www.dick-blick.com/items/209/14/20914-1065-2ww-m.jpg), some archival quality waterproof India ink, and pen nibs (Hunt 102 being the brand and size of choice).
http://www.dick-blick.com/items/211/03/21103-2003-2ww-m.jpg
these are calligraphy nibs, but you get the jist:http://www.dick-blick.com/items/209/09/20909-featurelarge.jpg


As for brushes, Winsor and Newton watercolor series 7 (http://www.dick-blick.com/items/050/02/05002-OB2ww-m.jpg) pure sable size 2 are pretty standard.

Enjoy.

[Trusty Mutsi]

Thanks very much. I might do some shopping this week:)

I really like using nibs, but I need to give brushes a try too.

If those are calligraphy nibs, what type of nibs should I get for inking artwork?

[Jaye]

link to hunt crow quills (http://hans.presto.tripod.com/nibs/hunt.html)

[Trusty Mutsi]

Thank you very much.

Hmmmmm... not sure if the Dick Blick by me sells these. Any suggestions for a good online store that might sell Hunt nibs?

[davidbovey]

I've tried alot of ink brands, and I settled down with Speedball Superblack india ink. It might be a little on the thicker side but I prefer that over the watered down feeling of most inks.

I generally use a brush to ink, which can take some time to get used to. But it really does provide the best line variation once you learn how to control it.

Having a good set of brushes is very important as well. Cheap brushes can give you unwanted results. Split hair lines and what not. I use Kolinsky sable brushes.

I'll use Pitt brush pens from time to time. Microns kinda give you a faded line that looks a little grey when it's up against true india ink. Pitt pens give you a nice black line.

Get a ruler with a raised inking edge for straight edge work.

[davidbovey]

Nibs (http://www.pearlpaint.com/shop~ocID~~parentID~956~categoryID~955.htm)- not hunt, but speedball

Pitt india ink pens (http://www.pearlpaint.com/shop~ocID~5999~parentID~5935~categoryID~5911~layou tIndicator~vertical.htm)

Inking rulers (http://www.pearlpaint.com/shop~ocID~~parentID~1991~categoryID~1990.htm)

Only advice I'll give you is, experiment. Find out what supplies you do and don't like and figure out what's best for you. I can sit here and tell you do this and do that, but my techniques might not work for you.

[captain_unimpressive]

I've just used Staedtler fineliners, since they're the brand they carry at Staples. :D
In other words, the yellowish pens someone showed earlier, except dark grey in color.

[Roquefort Raider]

or invest in Rapidograph pens (I love Koh-i-Noor brand);
http://www.dick-blick.com/items/210/03/21003-2109-2ww-m.jpg


Check.

or buy a pen holder (http://www.dick-blick.com/items/209/14/20914-1065-2ww-m.jpg), some archival quality waterproof India ink, and pen nibs (Hunt 102 being the brand and size of choice).

Check.


http://www.dick-blick.com/items/211/03/21103-2003-2ww-m.jpg
these are calligraphy nibs, but you get the jist:http://www.dick-blick.com/items/209/09/20909-featurelarge.jpg


If that thin one is a Speddball C-6, then check.

As for brushes, Winsor and Newton watercolor series 7 (http://www.dick-blick.com/items/050/02/05002-OB2ww-m.jpg) pure sable size 2 are pretty standard.


Check again.

It looks like we independently settled on the same tools!

(Although I miss the Pelikan black india ink; the one that wasn't made for heliographs. I fear it was discontinued years ago).

[Trusty Mutsi]

Well, I discovered I still have my old Speedball/Hunt nibs and a bit of ink left, so I used those a bit. Check my first page of art I posted on the "30 Day Comic" thread for the results. http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?p=4391359#post4391359

Until I have some cash for the technical pens, I'll keep playing around with the nibs.

Thanks VERY much for the advice guys!