Just wondering, do you have any tips for inking?
I’m no expert, but here are a few very basic things that might help get you started
1. Use varying line weights and tones!
A pretty common thing I see among artists who are just starting out is that they use a fixed line width for an entire image and it always makes images look flat and kind of shitty:
I try to use thicker lines for stuff in the foreground and thinner lines for backgrounds, both to create a sense of depth, and to highlight important information. I also tend to use thicker outlines to block in shapes and thinner lines to define the features and details. These are super basic concepts, but they instantly make any image look more interesting and dynamic.
Tone is another element you can use to add depth and to shift focus:
2. Watch out for tangents!
A tangent is basically when two or more lines interact with each other and create a relationship the artist didn’t intend. They can ruin an image, but they’re also pretty easy to avoid if you’re keeping an eye out for them!
The Schweizer Guide to Spotting Tangents is an excellent resource about what to watch out for!
3. Draw big, then reduce!
Resizing an image can cover up a lot of minor mistakes in your drawings. No matter how sloppy something looks at 4000x4000, chances are it won’t be noticeable at 700x700.
4. Become comfortable with your tools!
Wether you choose to work digitally or traditionally it’s important to become comfortable with your tools. Figure out the medium you’re most comfortable with, figure out it’s strengths and shortcomings, and figure out how to make it work for you.
And this doesn’t necessarily mean buying the fanciest pens or the newest drawing software, it means practice. Familiarity and ease of use comes with time. And that sort of leads me to the most important point…
Try not to stress about it too much! Check out other inking tips online, read comics (read Scott McCloud’s books), study other artists, play around with different styles and techniques, and most importantly: try to have fun with it!
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