The Art of Comic-Book Inking (Paperback)

~ Gary Martin (Author), (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

What does a comic-book inker do? Is an inker responsible for the coloring? Does an inker just trace over the lines? How much of the line work is done by computer? Learn the answers, and the stylized techniques, from the professionals! This book, full of tips from the comics industry's greatest living inkers, is for aspiring inkers, untrained professional inkers, pencillers who want to become more inker-friendly, and the majority of editors who work in comics today.

From the Publisher

Gary Martin has been working in comics since 1980; his credits include Wonder Woman, Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Ghost, Blue Devil, and many other titles. Gary is an acclaimed artist within his medium and received a Harvey award nomination for his work on the Dark Horse series Nexus, on which he collaborated with Steve Rude. In 1997, Gary authored the first volume of The Art of Comic Book Inking, which drew rave reviews both within and outside the comic-book industry and quickly became known as the definitive "How To" guide for aspiring artists. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse (October 29, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569712581
• ISBN-13: 978-1569712580
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,126,343 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Art of Comic-Book Inking (with a brush)..., August 23, 1999

By	P. B. Pereira (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

That's what it should have been called, considering Gary Martin hardly touches on the techniques of inking with a crowquill pen. And of his "guest" inkers, only a few mention it or begin to describe it. I think the book could have used a little more instruction on inking with a pen.

That, however, is the only black mark (no pun intended) against it (& why I gave it 4 stars). The rest of the book is extremely informative and those guest inkers (tops in their field) mentioned earlier, inking three different pencilled pages, are a great touch; Gary is himself, an amazing inking talent. Also, Steve Rude is a great penciller, one of the best (though I agree with the reviewer who would have liked other pencilling style represented in the book; e.g.: what approach to take when inking looser pencils). All in all, though a great book and one of the few written on the topic.

P.S. Regarding inking with a crowquill: besides the art books already written on it, there is one author that I know of who describes it in some detail. Dave Sim, in his "Guide to Self-Publishing", describes the mechanics of the process almost as if it were a science. I don't know if the book is in print anymore, though.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointed..., May 28, 2003

By	Danno (USA) - See all my reviews

I know how to draw (or at least, I think I do) but I never learned how to finish a pencil drawing with ink. So I was totally looking forward to having a professional give me pointers on how to lay down a decent line.

But this book tells you nothing. For starters, it's not even a book. It's more like a pamphlet, it's so frigging short. I think it's only about 65 pages.

Secondly, you are NEVER told how to put a line of ink onto a page. Nothing. No explination. All they do is tell you what brushes or pens some guys like and give you some before (pencil) and after (inked) drawings.

But you're never told how to hold your pen or brush, how to drag your instrument, or how to actually make a good looking line. VERY FRUSTRATING since that is exactly what I thought I was paying for.

-Dan

P.S. I learned later that this 'book' is apparently the 2nd of two books. I've looked everywhere for the 1st book but nobody seems to sell it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The artwork's not too shabby, either., June 28, 2000

By	Jon Kemerer (Westmoreland City, PA USA) - See all my reviews

First and foremost, the author states in the first chapter, first sentence, first paragraph... before you begin to ink, 'learn to draw'!

This book is absolutely amazing. The artwork and techniques described in this book are priceless. These are the same techniques pros use in what you buy in the comic book stand. It's fairly easy to ink, and the author and his talented band of contributing artists prove this through their many examples and explanations on how they achieved their results. You will learn valuable techniques, starting with the basics, how to hold the pen or brush, line weight, and pen / brush control. Also, cross-hatching, dry-brushing, feathering your lines, etc... (these tend to be my favorites). You'll learn how to translate a penciled peice of artwork into a finished inked drawing primarily. You'll learn how to ink faces and facial features, as well as backgrounds and other objects. The author also clarifies any question you may have on the duties and tasks performed by the inker, as well as finding jobs as an inker. There is alot more to be taught in this book, believe me.

The book includes a reproduced page of artwork for you practice on as well, which is great. As other reviewers have mentioned, the pencils are done by the same, excellent I may add, artist named (Steve Rude). But, I feel the author gives you enough leverage with what you learn in this book to learn fairly easy how to ink other penciling styles.