What do you guys think?

[Juan]

I've noticed alot lately in my favorite books where they are starting to either use digital inking or color directly over the artists pencils. I for one dont like either, they just dont compare to an actual inker "enhancing" an artists pencils. Sure, it takes less time this way, but the end product just doesnt look very professional in my opinion. Anyone else have any thoughts on the subject?

[DrVictorVonDoom]

It depends on the penciller.

Some artists who use a completely rendered, fully shaded style would lose something if their work was inked. At the opposite end of the spectrum, some artists (Cory Waker springs to mind) use a very graphic, animated style, where inking simply isn't necessary.

Pretty much everyone else I've seen benefits from an inker.

Dale Keown's "Darkness" stuff is an example of something I think would lok more finished if it was inked.

[Kaligula]

I agree w/ Doom.

[inkslinger]

The human touch is what it's all about. Someone adding their style to yours, not a machine following a pre-programed set of instructions and specs.
When another artists is added to put his style in the mix the gombo turn out yummy don' cha know?

;dvl;

[Devilman]

Originally posted by inkslinger
The human touch is what it's all about. Someone adding their style to yours, not a machine following a pre-programed set of instructions and specs.
When another artists is added to put his style in the mix the gombo turn out yummy don' cha know?

;dvl;


what are you talking about? They really have machines that just color a picture now without anyone telling it what to do?!?!? :P

[bushiboy]

I wouldn't mind just seeing pencils in a book.

[Rey de las Cabras]

Originally posted by bushiboy
I wouldn't mind just seeing pencils in a book.
ditto...

[Exiter]

I think you just need a good colorist to make it work
I mean look at this!!! (http://www.allrpg.com/games/bof4/wallpaper/4_2.jpg)
When i look at art from video games done with pencil and directly colored I cant understand why every comic isnt done that way

But when i look at the comics done using that technique they're very poorly done.
Most pencilers Should have their art inked. But there are a few that i think this is would be a good avenue to follow

[Exiter]

Why cant comics look like this??? (http://www.allrpg.com/games/bof4/wallpaper/5_2.jpg)

[Devilman]

Seriously, if I'm going to color something, I usually don't take the time to ink it.

[southpaw]

I wouldnt actually miss inking if it dissappeared ... as long as the colorist was awesome.

[cory w.]

I honestly think it's really shitty that people don't appreciate what inkers do...it's a real shame.

[Popninja]

Originally posted by Fool Killer
I honestly think it's really shitty that people don't appreciate what inkers do...it's a real shame.

I agree. I have SO MUCH RESPECT for inkers. I can't do what they do, and I've tried, and I won't pretend for a second that what an inker does is easy. No way. I don't really care for that muted color effect that a comic book has without an inker. I want to see all the detail.

Funny story, and true: I used to work with a group of guys trying to get our own comics published. I was pencilling and was paired with an inker who was really green. I hated his work. I remember complaining, "I want someone else to ink my work. This guy doesn't know what he's doing." He was a humble guy, knew he needed practice and practiced all the time. I just didn't want him practising on my pencils.

That young, green inker was named Richard Friend.

[JeremyW]

Originally posted by Popninja


That young, green inker was named Richard Friend.

Should that name ring a bell?

[DeForgeo]

But when i look at the comics done using that technique they're very poorly done.
Most pencilers Should have their art inked. But there are a few that i think this is would be a good avenue to follow

Exactly. The art on X-Treme X-Men (Laccora's pencils w/Liquid!'s colors) looks pretty lousy.

On the other hand, I thought the art in Origin (Kubert + Isanove) was great.

I guess alot of it depends on how sloppy the penciller is.

[in4pain]

to me i dont realy look for that. i think the pencil make the book in the first place. it dont realy mind seeing the tech in a book.

[red7ine]

maybe I'm just old-fashioned. I love seeing that big thick black outline on characters. I miss seeing Terry Austin's inks on a book. Same with Klaus Janson.

From everything I've seen, I can't stand the books I've seen that doesn't use an inker. Quite frankly, the pencillers just don't pull it off well enough. I think Kubert's ORIGIN worked okay, because it had kind of a hazy/dream like quality to it.

I really feel for the future of comics. We've already almost gotten rid of the letterer. Now all the word balloons in every book look exactly alike. We've replaced the colorists and their dyes for a computer that loves lens flares and seeing how many shades of fucia it can put in a panel. Hell, the writer, for the most part, was replaced long ago by the editor. I weep...

vaught

[Krosis]

Originally posted by Masque


....Richard Friend....

Should that name ring a bell?

Hello.. he's only a god in the inking world as far as I'm concerned.

"Steampunk" rocks..

-cheers

[Kaligula]

Originally posted by red7ine
maybe I'm just old-fashioned. I love seeing that big thick black outline on characters. I miss seeing Terry Austin's inks on a book. Same with Klaus Janson.

From everything I've seen, I can't stand the books I've seen that doesn't use an inker. Quite frankly, the pencillers just don't pull it off well enough. I think Kubert's ORIGIN worked okay, because it had kind of a hazy/dream like quality to it.

I really feel for the future of comics. We've already almost gotten rid of the letterer. Now all the word balloons in every book look exactly alike. We've replaced the colorists and their dyes for a computer that loves lens flares and seeing how many shades of fucia it can put in a panel. Hell, the writer, for the most part, was replaced long ago by the editor. I weep...

vaught

Last I checked, there are still letterers and colorists out there. The computer doesn't do that stuff itself, and it still takes skill to do that stuff well. It's the inkers that are the endangered species, unfortunately. :(

[TheFightingFoetus]

It's not about disrespecting inkers, it's just about different approaches to art.

I must have misplaced my "artist's laws" handbook, 'cause I thought this was art, not some 'all artwork has to be done with these techniques, and if you don't follow THE steps, then you're disrespecting somebody else.'

[Tory]

Originally posted by DeForgeo


Exactly. The art on X-Treme X-Men (Laccora's pencils w/Liquid!'s colors) looks pretty lousy.

On the other hand, I thought the art in Origin (Kubert + Isanove) was great.

I guess alot of it depends on how sloppy the penciller is.

More than that i think it depends on the creators styles and chemistry. Some styles simply do not mix. Personally i like some straight to color stuff,(thanx for the links exiter!) But i do think inking is importent. I would rue the day Palmiotti's out of a job.:(

[dfbovey]

I have seen very few books that have gone from straight pencils to colors, and the only one that I can think of that I thought looked good was Jay Anacleto's stuff on Aria. That was extra nice! Pretty much anything else I've seen un-inked has looked rushed, unfinished or just plain sloppy.

Inking is definately an artform. I don't mind digital inks over certain types of pencils. For most styles, I still prefer traditional inks and more specificly inks by brush.

I wouldn't mind seeing more hand done colors either. Seems that most books have colors that are indiscinguishable from the book next to it.

I like a little variety as long as it's done well and the art matches the mood and feel of the story.

[DeForgeo]

Last I checked, there are still letterers and colorists out there. The computer doesn't do that stuff itself, and it still takes skill to do that stuff well.

Damn straight. Computer lettering isn't easy, folks. Check out Comicraft's work on Batman: Dark Victory or Hip Flask: Unnatural Selection to take a look at some quality word ballooning.

[Popninja]

Originally posted by dfbovey
I have seen very few books that have gone from straight pencils to inks, and the only one that I can think of that I thought looked good was Jay Anacleto's stuff on Aria. That was extra nice! Pretty much anything else I've seen un-inked has looked rushed, unfinished or just plain sloppy...

Then you obviously never got a look at Liefeld's RE-GEX. Damn near perfect.;)

I understand what you're saying though, and I don't think that it was anyone's intention to insult inkers, or make them seem like they are not an important part of the mix. But, I do find comments like, "I wouldnt actually miss inking if it dissappeared ..." could definitely be taken out of context to mean that inking is not important at all. i don't think we have to worry about inkers being endangered just yet, though.

I also think inkers are extremely important simply because not all comics are in color. I know that the comic I am working on ultimately will be in black and white, so inking will be critical. And that's gonna suck, because I suck at inking. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

[Justice41]

You guys are killing me here. Your gonna kill us collectors of original art if you keep this up. I love the look of pencils but I like comic art inked, and very well ink I might add. Lets break it down fellas and ladies, this is a graphic format, which is commercial in nature which means reproducability. Clear reproductions is what it's all about. have any of you's seen Alex Ross' originals? Man they are so bright and clear but in the books light and somewhat muted. This is also what happens when you go over pencils with colors. No sir, I don't like it. But I guess that's progress. I certainly want to keep buying original artwork but I just don't see how pencil work can stay unsmudged throughout the printing process.

[Justice41]

Oh and about those color samples posted, The reason that may appeal to some, is because it was meant for a less mature mind. The more complete and delineated a piece of artwork is, especially commercial artwork, the more likely it's meant for more sophisticated minds. That's why childrens books and tv shows(cartoons) are done in such Bright colours. They are very primary, wereas adult oriented art is much more subtle and complex in form as well as detail. You can always tell the age level something is geared towards just by how complex or colorful it is. It's very evident in movies and tv shows.

[red7ine]

Originally posted by Kaligula


Last I checked, there are still letterers and colorists out there. The computer doesn't do that stuff itself, and it still takes skill to do that stuff well. It's the inkers that are the endangered species, unfortunately. :(

no, of course there are still letterers and colorists. I just think that their is a much more impersonal feel to it now.

vaught

[PencilVillian]

Originally posted by Justice41
The reason that may appeal to some, is because it was meant for a less mature mind.

I'll agree with that reasoning slightly however when you're use to seeing that same "mature minded" look over and over and over for countless years it starts to get stale and that's where a different approach can really bring out a breath of fresh air in the comic industry. I'd say recent examples that I'm currently loving would be the work on Stormwatch: Team Achillies and High Roads that just finished up last month. They're not the typical look of a comic book but they're definately different and are VERY appealing (at least to me). It's the same deal with food, you can argue that sushi is made for a more mature person because of the understanding of the product and culture but if you eat sushi everyday for 10 years that cheese pizza is going to sound DAMN good (well maybe all but the grease ;)) hell a grilled cheese sandwich would sound awesome too.

As far as the inker subject is concerned, good inkers are hard to find and for those that have never seen an excellent inker INK in person then you just might not appreciate their skill. I use to say "Yeah, Inkers are SO important!" and then I saw Clayton Brown at a few conventions inking and I got dizzy! I was compelled to purchase an original piece because of the amazing skill he has. The inks aren't that crisp when the comic is printed as compared to the original, that's how good originals can look. I really don't think digital inking is good enough right now to replace traditional inking unless you're going for a certain look (Kaligula and Wes' names pop up with their illustrated styles) but that's just one look of many that are out there. Some day programmers will write a program specifically for inking and they will develop it further and further and then it WILL start to nudge at the current traditional inkers trade. Even then you're going to have to have extremely skilled inkers/digitl inkers to gt the job done right and still there wil be traditional inkers, they will never go extinct.