Inking I
This tutorial shows the process I used to ink pages in Spindrift, focusing on interiors. There is no correct way to ink comics or manga; the best way to ink is the way that works for you. I change my process for just about every project because I’m searching out and trying new things to find what works best for me.
My process also depends on the tools I have available to me. I drew and inked Project Blue Rose completely digitally because my scanner was slowly dying and couldn’t make scans of the quality that I needed for the comic pages. Shortly before I started inking Spindrift, however, I got a spiffy used Epson Expression 836XL on eBay, a good scanner with a large scanning bed so that not only are the scans of a very good quality, I don’t have to scan comic pages in two parts and merge them in Photoshop. That is worth every penny I paid for it.*
Warning: the sample panel I’m inking contains a non-explicit but mostly-naked man on it.
On to the tutorial!
Part 1: Tools
Part 2: Starting Out
Part 3: Details
Part 4: Scanning
* If you decide to look for an 836XL on eBay also, make sure the seller’s feedback is good and that the listing specifically says the scanner is tested and in good working condition, not just tested to turn on. A broken scanner could turn on but still make bad scans. Be prepared to pay through the nose for shipping – this sucker’s heavy. It’s a SCSI scanner so you’ll need a SCSI card. The scanner originally shipped with one, so if you’re in luck you can find a used scanner with its card, but if not you’ll have to buy one separately.
