The Art of Comic-Book Inking [With Bristol-Board Inserts for Practice]

by Gary Martin

Book Overview

Gary Martin's two volumes of The Art of Comic-Book Inking have become the industry-standard manuals for aspiring inkers seeking to take their work to the next level or for working professionals looking to broaden their skills base. Now, these two textbooks have been combined into a single value-priced volume and expanded with new material, including three additional blue-lined artboards featuring pencil art by master comics illustrators Jack Kirby,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1593074050
• ISBN13: 9781593074050
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
• Length: 187 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.1" x 10.7"

Customer Reviews

Fully Realized How to Book

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Martin focuses on his genre (superhero) and the inking techniques he describes are best suited for that. However, he is really talking about classical, traditional inking styles and in that sense, he is talking about comic book art as a whole. There are beautiful examples of different techniques. Plus, Martin is funny and fun to read. He also gives glimpses into the industry and talks about the role of a professional inker. There's even some theory in there -- really cool. Perfect how to and reference book for a beginning or medium experience inker.

The artwork's not too shabby, either.

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.

A must have for aspiring comic book artists!

This is easily the best book about drawing for comic books that I have ever read. Not only are the inking tips and examples outstanding, but I think this book is necessary for aspiring pencillers as well. You learn not only how to ink pencilled lines, but how to create ink-ready drawings. Beautiful artwork throughout the book. Seeing how various inkers handle the same pencils is really helpful. Thanks, Gary Martin, for putting this book together.

A must have for all aspiring Comic inkers and pencilers too!

This beautiful book provides information about specific tools and techniques for the comic book inker. In an ingenious move, Gary Martin had several different professional inkers put brush to the same layouts, showing differing styles on the same art.