Henry Clark
His use of line, composition and light and dark amazes me.
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Showing posts with label india ink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label india ink. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Photocopy Your Bum
How to Become a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel Artist
Tools of the Trade
49. PHOTOCOPY MACHINE - This is a tool you don't have to own, yet comes in very handy. You always want to make copies of your work at the pencil stage and inked stage to document it for yourself. It is also good if work has gotten lost in the mail so you don't have to redraw it. Inkers can lightbox the pencil copy and ink on a board. A good clean copy of inks and lettering can be used for reproduction.
You can use it in the production process. Your thumbnails can be enlarged to print size. Tighten up your drawings and then print size can be enlarged to original art size. Finalize the art and original art size can be reduced to print size to get a sense of how screens and other things will reproduce.
Create montages, duplicate backgrounds, figures and many other uses.
Now because of advances in technology, you can own a portable photocopier, scanner and fax machine, sometimes all-in-one. I advise against the all-in-one machines as when one function is broken, the you lose the use of the other functions.
This leads me nicely to the digital tool set. So next time we will begin looking at the software and hardware available to use for cartooning and drawing.
Next... Digital Tools
read next - Ghost in the Machine
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Remember… Just Create!
If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.
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copyright 2012 H. Simpson
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
When does an inker use a trigger instead of a brush?
How to Become a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel Artist
A Pause for the Cause to Think About Ink
There are many decisions to made made concerning ink that I've discussed so far. I've grouped them here for easy reference.
A narrow nib must use a fluid, fast ink and gives the best performance.
Broad nibs must use slow inks with higher viscosity.
Fast ink will leave the nib before or at first contact with the paper. A slow ink will stick to the nib.
If your style does not rely on thin and thick strokes, then NEVER touch the nib to the paper. Let your nib hover closely above the paper and let the ink forming on the nib provide the contact.
A rough paper needs a fast, fluid ink. A smooth plate glossy paper requires a slow ink.
The higher the angle of your drawing table the more fluid the ink has to be to flow properly.
The lower the angle the slower the ink has to be in order not to flow too fast.
to be continued...
read next - Photocopy Your Bum
previous - Trip the Light Fantastic
Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Feel free to ask me questions.
Remember… Just Create!
If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.
When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.
BONUS LINKS TO ART STORES!
copyright 2012 H. Simpson
Friday, March 30, 2012
You are about to be boarded
How to Become a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel Artist
Tools of the Trade28. PARALLEL STRAIGHTEDGE BOARD - A compact, portable unit set at an angle in your lap against a table. No t-square needed as the portable drafting board has the parallel straightedge attached for drawing straight lines. The pulley system moves the straightedge easily and precisely up and down over the drawing paper.
29. PARALLEL STRAIGHTEDGE - A straightedge that replaces the t-square when attached to the drafting table or drawing board.
30. DRAFTING TABLE - An adjustable drawing table.
It's not a good idea to draw by laying the drawing board flat an a kitchen table or having your drafting table flat. The drawing may be distorted. You want to angle the board so it's almost parallel to your face. This is better to see what you're drawing and for your back.
The steeper the angle, the more fluid the ink has to be, to flow properly.
The lower the angle, the slower the ink has to be, in order not to flow too fast.
to be continued...
read next - The Ruler's Back
previous - Rock Paper Scissors
Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Feel free to ask me questions.
Remember… Just Create!
If you are interested in using these tools, then I recommend these products.
When you purchase a product by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.
BONUS LINKS TO ART STORES!
copyright 2012 H. Simpson
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Rock Paper Scissors
How to Become a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel Artist
Tools of the Trade25. HALF-TONE SCREENS/SCREENTONE - A transparent printed flexible sheet with an adhesive layer that can be peeled off a backing paper and placed onto the art to simulate tones, shades an textures. It represents gray levels in the image using single black dots of varying sizes.
Saves time by allowing you to apply quick shades/texture to your line art. You need to take into account how much an image will be reduced when published. Best to make a photocopy at the reduced size as a test. A test is a must if you are going to overlap screens.
There are various other papers used in the art world that can give you different effects such as tone paper and coquille board. Go out into the world and explore these papers/boards and stretch your artistic muscles.
26. ARTIST WHITE TAPE - A white tape that is acid-free and you are able to reposition it. Look for a good quality tape that is ink and pencil receptive and removable from most surfaces. It won't damage your paper upon removal.
to be continued...
read next - You are About to be Boarded
previous - Paper Tales
Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Feel free to ask me questions.
Remember… Just Create!
If you are interested in using these tools, then I recommend these products.
When you purchase a product by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.
BONUS LINKS TO ART STORES!
copyright 2012 H. Simpson
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Paper Tales
How to Become a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel Artist
Tools of the Trade
22. PAPER - Three-ply bristol board with a kid finish is the best to use. A kid finish has enough tooth (roughness) in the paper for the pencil and is smooth enough to lay down india ink. Plate finish is too smooth for pencil work. A rough paper needs a fast, fluid ink. A smooth plate paper requires a slow ink.
While three-ply is the best; for economic reasons two-ply is used by most companies. But you can still be economical and use the best paper. Bristol board is available in large sheets. Buy it this way and cut it down to size. The art store may cut the paper to size for you in the store; if you are nice and say pretty please. This is the cheapest way to buy paper and get more bang for your buck.
Nowadays there are pre-cut, pre-lined prefabricated comic boards for sale. You can still beat these prices and get better quality paper even if you only buy the 14" x 17" pad and cut it down to size. If the art store won't cut it for you, then you can do it at an office supply store.
Comic books and graphic novels are usually drawn on two-ply bristol board. A rough finish may make some pen nibs catch on the tooth if you apply pressure. Ink takes longer to dry on the smooth plate finish, so be careful not to touch it.
There is a difference between different brands of paper. Cheaper brands are less relaible.
PAPER SIZE
Comic book art pages used to be twice the size of the finished product. Now both have shrunk in size due to rising paper and oil costs.
Now the live art area is 10"x 15". The paper size is 11" x 17". You can draw any size as long as it's in the correct proportions to the comic book. Graphic novels give you more freedom to draw at any size and print at any size. I know an artist who draws on a paper size that fits his scanner.
Comic strip live art area is 13.25" x 4.25". The same rule apples concerning the correct proportions. A half-inch border on every side is good to have.
Single panel comic strips live area is 3.5" x 4" high. You can use any size if you keep the proportions correct.
23. VELLUM - A translucent material not related to the bristol board finish. Vellum paper is like tracing paper but is smooth, durable, better quality and costs more. This is great for artists who erase a lot and wear the paper surface away. But remember, I've given you ways avoid erasing. So this shouldn't be an issue.
You can ink on this very well. Vellum is more delicate than bristol board, so tearing it is a major concern. Mount the vellum on a piece of white board when you are done.
to be continued...
read next - Rock Paper Scissors
previous - Don't Use White-Out!
Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Feel free to ask me questions.
Remember… Just Create!
If you are interested in using these tools, then I recommend these products.
When you purchase a product by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.
BONUS LINKS TO ART STORES!
copyright 2012 H. Simpson
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Don't Use White-Out!
How to Become a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel Artist
Tools of the Trade
Alternatives
You can use a blade to scrape ink off the paper.
Redraw the offending section on a separate piece of paper and paste the new section art over the old section of the art.
20. RUBBER CEMENT - is an adhesive used for pasting in art or lettering corrections. It is used wet on both surfaces that make contact. Then it is allowed to dry to form a bond. The solvents evaporate and the "rubber" portion remains behind, forming a strong, yet flexible bond.
There is also one-coat rubber cement which only has to be put on one surface and allowed to dry before pasting to other surface.
21. RUBBER CEMENT ERASER/PICK-UP - It is made of natural, crepe rubber. Designed for erasing dried excess rubber cement and cleaning up areas around glued surfaces. Roll gently over dried adhesive until it balls up and then brush away.
to be continued…
read next - Paper Tales
previous - Don't use White-Out!
Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Feel free to ask me questions.
Remember… Just Create!
If you are interested in using these tools, then I recommend these products and books.
When you purchase a item by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.
Copyright 2016 H. Simpson
read next - Paper Tales
previous - Don't use White-Out!
BONUS LINKS TO ART STORES!
Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Feel free to ask me questions.
Remember… Just Create!
If you are interested in using these tools, then I recommend these products and books.
When you purchase a item by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.
Copyright 2016 H. Simpson
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Inkers like to stroke
How to Become a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel Artist
Tools of the Trade
11. INK - a liquid or paste that contains pigments and/or dyes
Three types of ink:
A) A pigment plus a binder, which is colorfast.
B) A dyestuff such as fountain pen ink.
C) A chemical precipitation such as ferrogallic or iron gall inks. Rembrandt and Van Gogh drew with iron gall inks.
A) A pigment is a powdered substance that is mixed with a liquid in which it is relatively insoluble.
Chinese and Japanese Ink Sticks have soot as pigment. Around 2,000 years ago stick ink was invented in China. India may be thought of as originator of India ink because of the name. During that time any ship which traveled round the Cape of Good Hope from the East was listed as coming from the East Indies. The Chinese are the inventors of ink.
With Stick Ink, you control the thickness and fluidity to complement the paper, desk angle and your drawing style.
Liquid India ink was made in China during the middle of the 3000 BC. It is made of fine soot (lampblack) combined with water to form a liquid. A binding agent; gelatin or shellac is also added, which dries water-resistant and gives a permanent line.
You don't want to use ink that is not waterproof. India ink is most commonly used for comics.
B) A dyestuff.
There are two types of natural dyes: substantive and adjective. Substantive or direct dyes, become chemically fixed to the paper without the aid of any other chemicals or additives, such as indigo or certain lichens. Adjective dyes or mordant dyes, require some sort of substance, (usually a metal salt) to prevent the color from washing or light-bleaching out.
Chemists in many countries have found a means of extracting highly concentrated powders or pastes from traditional dyestuffs.
C) A chemical precipitation is a formation of a separable solid substance from a solution. In the Middle Ages ferro-gallic ink was mostly used with quills. The disadvantage was that it aged and dried up in the bottle very quickly.
to be continued...
read next - Inkers like to go with the flow
previous - Erasers are not for mistakes
Keep reading. Share with your friends. Please comment. Just create!
copyright 2012 H. Simpson
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Making Magic
How to Make a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel
Terminology Continued
6. WRITER - Writes the comic book/graphic novel. This can be a full script or plot.
7. PENCILER - Creates the pencil/initial drawings of the story and is responsible for the visual storytelling and panel to panel continuity as well as drawing the characters and the environment.
8. INKER - The penciled pages have black india ink applied over them to enhance the pencil art. The inks are usually applied with a brush and/or pen. Waterproof markers have been used to replace ink also.
9. ARTIST - Fulfills both roles of penciler and inker. Computers can be used now to digitally darken pencils and to skip the inking stage. So the penciler can become the sole artist in this case. Warning: Never talk to an inker and refer to the penciler as the artist and that they are the inker. It's insulting. They hate that! Both are artists even though their roles are different.
10. LAYOUT ARTIST - Draws very rough pencil layouts. this can range from very loose figures and no background to identifiable loose figures with backgrounds.
11. BACKGROUND ARTIST - The artist draws the main figures and the background artist draws secondary figures and the backgrounds
12. EMBELLISHER/FINISHER - The inker takes on a more prominent role in doing ink finishes over layouts.
13. GHOST ARTIST - An uncredited artist whose responsibilities may vary.
14. COLORIST - Adds color to the art by hand using paint or dyes. Color can also be added using the computer, which is becoming the standard.
15. LETTERER - Places the text from the script in balloons and captions. This can be done by hand on the pencil artwork or on a mylar overlay. Digital fonts can be used also.
16. EDITOR - This person may or may not define their own role. They can serve a large company or the creator. They can dictate direction or give free rein. They may catch errors or guide the creative process
to be continued…
read next - Paging Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard
previous - Talk the Lingo
Keep reading. Share with your friends. Please comment. Just create!
copyright 2012 H. Simpson
If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.
When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.
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