Blame/thank criss2d

[Noel Murphy]

I was looking through criss2d's site and being awestruck (well I've got eyes don't I?) and was thinking to myself, the same as I did for Eric's stuff and others who do top B+W art, "I wish I could do stuff like that."
Then I thought to myself, "hang on...it says in my factory manual that I can, "do anything I put my mind to." ". So I proceeded to take an old pencil sketch and ink it.
This is the result. Whadda ya think fer a first go?:confused:

[chriss2d]

That's best compliment I've ever recieved! It's awesome to think that I might actually inspire somebody. Are you new at inking? If you are, I wouldn't know it. What do you use to ink with? I think inking is one of the most underrated art forms. It took me years to get as good at inking as you are now. I think some people just have a natural knack for it. I use those Micron pens almost exclusively and I can barely hold a brush. Let me know. There's some very good lines on your piece.
Most people will probably tell you that brushes are the best way to ink and they're probably right, but I just can't seem to do it. I've tried brush and quill tips and those tech pens. In the end, I usually go with the Microns.
Anyway, thanks for the compliment and keep up the great work. I can't wait to see the next one!

[Eric Lofgren]

Noel, you're getting a handle on your line skills. Inking is not an easy discipline to master, I equate inks it with deaded "watercolor", you know, very unforgiving, but this baby is nice and clean. I would be curious to know what tool you used also. In truth, brushes are the ink dispencer of choice, I use a #0 to 2 Windsor Newton brush for most of my line work. You would be surprised just how fast you get with a brush once the learning curve is mastered. Microns are fine also, just have a look at Chris's stuff again to verify that (they should be sponsoring him with endorsements, I think), and usually a combination of both brush and pen fit the bill. Hey, let's see more.:)

Thanks for showing us, Noel,
Eric

[Jon H]

I think you have the right attitude Murph. Give it your best shot and post it here!

A suggestion?

The ogre's clothing/armour is really detailed and looks really cool. His face is not quite as detailed, and maybe could use a touch more detail? Maybe a bit more shadow, or wrinkle here and there? I could easily be wrong, but that's what struck me on first glimpse.

Thanks for showing what you're up to!

Keep on trucking!

[Storn]

To all of you on inking: Use a brush. It took me about 5 to 7 years to master. Its a bitch, but the payoff is enormous.

Why?

Well, Chris, you have a real understanding of comic book inking styles. A brush will be SO much faster than your microns. Because you can do your thick to thins in one stroke. I'm talking scary fast compared to microns. And since you complain about things taking so long.....

To Noel, my one critique is that your outside line weight is identical around the ogre. It should be a bit thinner towards the light source and thicker away from the light source. This is a common trap of using rapidographs and Microns.

Although, I got to say that I really like your Ogre. He has such a sweet, goofy aura about him that is really, really fun.

To help you guys out on mastering a brush... try doing half and half. Especially I want to see Chris try this;
Lightly ink with your microns. Just get the basics down. Then come back a brush and really think about your thick and thin lines and go over the micron lines with the brush. Because you have a "guide" down, it should be a little easier.

Also, try holding the brush completely up and down occasionally, like a chinese/japanese caligraphor. I use this position most of the time to get hair like thin lines and with just the slightest pressure get wonderful thin to thick.

Brushes: Get a good one. Most people swear by a #1 or #2 Series 7 Windsor & Newton. I like them a lot. However, my favorite inking brush at the moment is hell of a lot cheaper and I like it better (and it really has lasted):

I use the Kolinsky "Escoda" line #1 and #2. These hold their tips better than any brushes I've ever worked for...great for watercolor too, btw.

Lastly; check out the most excellent book on inking from Dark Horse called "The Art of Comic Book Inking" ;by Gary Martin. excellent book.

[Noel Murphy]

Firstly, thanks all you guys.
Criss- I'm not totally new to inking. I have a degree in technical illustration which is where I first did it but I've never done anything like this (not with any success anyway).
Jon- I know what you mean about the face. I thought about putting more detail on it but was worried that it would become a little cluttered.
Storn- I understand about the thick/thin line. It sounds like I'm making excuses but I would have put a thicker line lower down on the legs but my hand was getting sore so I just gave up and scanned it. This is the first time in about 5 years I've picked up a tech pen. I recently got my artbox from storage, I usually just do pencil drawings and do the rest on computer so it was a bit of a change to actually do this.
I used a Rotring 0.25 for this on drafting film (just like I was taught) but it was mainly just what i had to work with. I thought I had a bigger one but obv not. I will try using a brush on my next one.
Ta guys

[chriss2d]

Man, I'm sorry I suggested that you might be new at inking. The illustrations on your site are really fantastic! The engine piece blew me away. That's the kind of work that I suck at the most. Tech art has always been one of my least favorite things to draw, but your'e a natural.
Cool stuff!:)

[Matt Drake]

Especially the face! Made me say 'Ha! That's cool!' This dude is bad-ass and funny at the same time.

Kick-ass, and congrats on doing a great job. Your ink work is sweet.

Storn, I gotta try that brush thing. Five to seven years is a Hell of a learning curve, however, especially considering I've more or less given up ever being a pro artist. Like Dirty Harry says in the Enforcers, 'A man's got to know his limitations.'

But the brush thing sounds fun. Oh, and I dig the ogre with the muppet head.

Matt Drake
www.spectrepress.com

[Steve T. Laws]

Yeah, I've shaken my fist a time or two at Chris, too. And you, and Jon, and Eric, and Storn, and . . . well this list just keeps going don't it?

Anyways your picture is grand. Damned I like how open this group is with thier art.