4
STARTING TO INK
Next I move on to the ink stage. I do the most of my
inking with Sakura Micron Pens, sizes 005, 01 and 05. I start
simply, by blocking in some of the black shadow shapes in
the angel statue and on the assassin’s forearm.5
SPOTTING BLACK SHAPES
I continue inking some of the black shapes, moving
up to the collar section. Because these are small black
shapes, I outline them with a 01 Micron and fill them with a
Micron brush pen. To make sure I’m not smearing my pencil
work, I have a piece of scrap paper that my inking hand
rests on, whenever it’s on part of the art.3
PENCIL FINISH
In the tighter pencil stage I make sure to figure out
all the important anatomy and composition issues. I correct
any major problems with the drawing that were present in
the rough version. Having a pencil drawing with a strong
structure will help me to focus on the inking process.1
ROUGH SKETCH
I start with a rough sketch to figure out the main
shapes of the composition. Sometimes I do smaller
thumbnails, but in this case I jump into a sketch at the same
size that I’ll be drawing the final. I add a couple of bloody
hands near the bottom after I’ve done the initial rough.2
TRANSFERRING AND PENCILLING
When I have the basic composition figured out and
approved, I transfer this sketch with a lightbox to my Bristol
board for the final drawing. Then I start pencilling in the
bigger shapes, using a mechanical pencil and HB lead.
Once I’m happy with this, I focus on adding more details.MATERIALS
PENCIL
Q Pencil
Q Mechanical pencil
Q HB lead
Q Lead holder pencil
PEN
Q Sakura Micron Pens
Q Sizes 005, 01, 05
and brush pen
INK
Q Winsor & Newton
White Ink (Opaque)
MISCELLANEOUS
Q Design ArtGum
Eraser/Cleaner
Q Strathmore Bristol
400 series, smooth
surface
Q Kneaded eraserINKING
TIP
DEVELOP YOUR STYLE
Don’t be too concernedabout your style of inking.
Style will build naturally
when you’re creating
your art.
Workshops