need inking opinion (updated: new project (03/26/12)

[the other mike]

hey guys,
as you guys may know i don't physically ink my work. to work around it, i just try to work clean and draw really dark. recently i'm dabbling at digitally inking my stuff, having discovered some cool brushes for sketchbook pro. i'm really excited because this might bring some new spin to my style. also, it might streamline my workflow and speed up my output from glacier-like to snail's pace.

below are some examples of what i've done so far. i need crits on my inks and on the lines themselves; your opinion on how sketchbook lays down the strokes. i need to know if its print worthy.

i'm too close to it, and i find it hard to be objective.


larger view:
http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/042/1/7/mizm_bnw_by_the_other_mike-d4pfubt.jpg


larger view:
http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/042/6/5/yojoe_small_by_the_other_mike-d4pfubr.jpg



-mike

[Unicorn Master]

They look great! Both very clean and crisp, yet you still have a nice variation in the line work.

I say if you're happy with the process and the tools, keep with it until they feel really comfortable. Only then will you truly be able to judge how useful they are to you.

[Jon O]

A few of the lines seem a little "digitized" for lack of a better word, like the right side of Supergirls shirt or the inner part of the front wheel, but I really had to look to notice.  I think they look good overall.

Have you tried any test prints at 300 dpi?  I think that's going to give you a more clear look at what you're working with.

[Harry Moyer]

Great inks Mike.

I think as far as crits go, its not much, but the difference in inking on the motorcycle and the figures is a little jarring. I might use thicker lines on the bike to match those of the figures a bit more.  You'll lose some detail, for sure, but there would be a little more cohesiveness. Or, on the other hand, you could use a thinner line on the figures to match the bike. (I guess I just prefer thicker inks  ).

One of the things I struggle with when inking digitally, is getting those long, crisp, curved lines that you're going for on the Supergirl piece. It helps a bit if you zoom out more, its easier to get those lines in one shot, rather than trying to put it together with shorter strokes.

[TimothyObriant]

I think they look great.  Without prior knowledge I'm not sure if I could have decipher whether it was done digitally or traditionally.

[DGoodhart]

I think they look terrific!  It's nice to know that Sketchbook Pro lets you do something like that and the more you work with it, the more comfortable you'll get...

[the other mike]

guys,
thank you all for your replies! you've ALL been extremely helpful in your own ways. i'm over-analyzing everything and second-guessing myself, i don't know what's what anymore. it drives me frikkin' crazy.


Unicorn Master- yeah, i'm getting more comfortable, but adjusting the bushes until they are perfectly just so, is tedious.

Jon O-funny because SG's shoulder (to me) looks like plain sloppy "real" inks than digital  . i agree with the wheel of the cycle, however. for some reason these custom brushes can't seem to curve properly when you draw small. they get all jaggy.

i got hi-res, but wanted to spare you guys from having to view such a big file. haha! if you really want a hi-res i'll upload it or email you a copy.

Harry Moyer- GOOD eye dude! i forgot to mention that scarlett, snake-eyes and the motor cycle were made separately with three different brushes. basically, each was me experimenting with a brush and should be taken on its own. the motor cycle is a "pencil", snake-eyes is a straight up brush and scarlett is a mix of both.

thanks for the advice, buddy! gonna try that!

TimothyObriant- thanks dude!

DGoodhart- yeah, i'm really liking sketchbook pro. sure its not as robust as PS or illustrator or painter, but its super easy to work with, has a clean interface, and loads up quick. i can't say the same for manga studio or PS or even gimp.

oh if you want sketchbook, keep an eye out for skottie young's tweets during SDCC. he's been giving them away (latest full versions too!) the past two years. i got mine just last july. one of the best things i came home with (and it was free!). it has a copic marker function that i have no idea how to properly use.


-mike

[Jon O]

I don't need the image hi res, if the jaggy look is as slight on the hi res as it is this one I say it's not a problem.  I just know a few times I've had work that looked fine on the computer screen that I was not happy with it when printed.  Just mentioning potential problems, you never know who may read over this and learn from one of my mistakes 

[the other mike]

I don't need the image hi res, if the jaggy look is as slight on the hi res as it is this one I say it's not a problem.  I just know a few times I've had work that looked fine on the computer screen that I was not happy with it when printed.  Just mentioning potential problems, you never know who may read over this and learn from one of my mistakes 

now i'm afraid.... 

do you use manga studio? what do you think about how it corrects your stokes?  like when you lay down a wiggly curve, it automatically smoothens [<- not a word?] it out.

anyhoo, i colored up the miz martian piece:




-mike

[Jon O]

I haven't used manga studios. What I'd do to set your mind at ease is do a test print at the size and resolution you'll be using when showing off your pieces.  The jaggies I see are pretty slight, and you may not notice when it's printed.  Getting  a real size example should set your mind at ease, or let you know if there's a real problem or if I'm just nitpicking.

[JimN]

hey guys,
as you guys may know i don't physically ink my work. to work around it, i just try to work clean and draw really dark. recently i'm dabbling at digitally inking my stuff, having discovered some cool brushes for sketchbook pro. i'm really excited because this might bring some new spin to my style. also, it might streamline my workflow and speed up my output from glacier-like to snail's pace.

below are some examples of what i've done so far. i need crits on my inks and on the lines themselves; your opinion on how sketchbook lays down the strokes. i need to know if its print worthy.

It's tough to say without seeing them printed but they look nice. I'd avoid using that pencil-like brush you used on the motorcycle for "inking. It ends up looking like a digitally-boosted pencil line so unless that's the look youw ant, I don't think it's a good choice for digital inks. The other inks looks nice, although I'd caution you against outlining with a uniformly heavy line as you did on the Miz Martian piece. Instead,i'd suggest trying to convey a bit out light using line weight. For example, if the light source is coming from the viewer's upper right, Miz Martian's hair on our upper right would have a thinner line and that line would taper to a thicker line as it wrapped around to the left/shadow side. That line variation will make the drawing more interesting as well as conveying information about lighting. You've done some of this kind of line variation on her raised arm and hand and it works nicely.

Overall, the drawings are excellent and I think the inking just needs a little more refinement.

By the way, I'm sorry I'm late to the party with my comments but I hope they're helpful

Jim

[Jon O]

Oh, and I really like the coloring.

[the other mike]

Jon O- did what you mentioned. i printed out a copy and it looked pretty decent. the jaggy lines smoothed out when printed.

JimN- thanks for the advice dude!

anyhoo, here's some new practice art: peter panzerfaust. the BG's pretty rough, i know. i did it free hand and deliberately kept it rough. i'm thinking of erasing everything save the big chimney in front (and sprucing that up too).



-mike

[Jon O]

That's really fun too.  I'd like to see what happens when you take the other buildings back out.  Are you thinking all white background?  Or black it all out save the moon?

[the other mike]

That's really fun too.  I'd like to see what happens when you take the other buildings back out.  Are you thinking all white background?  Or black it all out save the moon?

the original idea was to just have the chimney and the moon. i decided to add the other buildings because the drawing looked too naked. hopefully they'll have a talented colorist work on it and make it pretty and correct all my short comings.

-mike

[Jon O]

The composition seems really strong with just the chimney and moon.  I don't think the buildings will be needed.

[the other mike]

thanks jon! kurtis weibe gave a nice shout-out in twitter a couple of days ago.

anyhoo, new inks.



closer look:



as you can see, its still in progress. i'll ill spot blacks last.

need your opinions on the general lines of the figures. i printed it out to roughly print size, and it looks fine, to my eyes. problem is, again, i've lost all objectivity. its frustrating as hell. like trying to write legibly with your off-hand. i'm having to learn how to draw all over again.

it weird. when i pencil, i'm in one mindset. but when i ink i switch to another way of thinking. i'm having trouble reconciling the two. i'm tired of sounding like a broken record.


-mike

[cidvicious831]

great work man! so you recommend sketch book pro?

[Jon O]

Everything is working out well  You'll always be your own worst critic.

[the other mike]

great work man! so you recommend sketch book pro?

well, right now, yes. its not as robust in features as manga studio or PS or painter,  BUT the interface is nice and open and clean; lots of drawing space. less features also mean simpler controls and quick to load. i feel it's not as memory heavy as other image programs.

between this and my old PS7, i think i can tackle most of my art needs.

====

thanks for the feedback, jon and cid! i'll post the finished page when i can.


-mike