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The Art Of Comic-Book Inking 2nd Edition
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, John Buscema, and Gil Kane. Gain insights into the techniques, tools, and approaches of some of the finest delineators in comics today, including Terry Austin, Mark Farmer, Scott Williams, Alex Garner, and many more. When putting pen or brush to paper, no tool is more helpful than The Art of Comic-Book Inking.
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 1997
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125 people want to read
About the author
Gary Martin
241 books5 followersGary Martin's career as a freelance comic book artist spans over twenty years. He's worked for all the major companies, including Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Image, and Disney, and on such titles as, Spider-man, X-men, Batman, Star Wars, and Mickey Mouse.
Gary is best known for his popular how-to books entitled, 'The Art of Comic Book Inking.' Recently, Gary wrote a comic book series called 'The Moth', which he co-created with artist Steve Rude.
Gary is best known for his popular how-to books entitled, 'The Art of Comic Book Inking.' Recently, Gary wrote a comic book series called 'The Moth', which he co-created with artist Steve Rude.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 2, 2019
When this edition was published, computers were starting to be used but were not common, so probably a lot has changed. I don't know that some of this how-to information is still relevant.
It is still interesting to see from an artistic point of view what a difference small adjustments can make. (At least for lettering, more digitizing has changed how the letterers work, but not their necessity or individuality.)
Getting the chance to see not just how different inkers work with different artists, but also to see pencils of the same characters from different artists, was an effective way of making this real.
In addition, the book reinforces the collaborative nature of comics, which is still largely true. The deep collaboration may be the reason for the deep appreciation, but everyone has inkers and pencillers that they appreciate and look to, and that was cool to see.
It is still interesting to see from an artistic point of view what a difference small adjustments can make. (At least for lettering, more digitizing has changed how the letterers work, but not their necessity or individuality.)
Getting the chance to see not just how different inkers work with different artists, but also to see pencils of the same characters from different artists, was an effective way of making this real.
In addition, the book reinforces the collaborative nature of comics, which is still largely true. The deep collaboration may be the reason for the deep appreciation, but everyone has inkers and pencillers that they appreciate and look to, and that was cool to see.
December 26, 2019
Gary Martin’s The Art of Comic Book Inking is a professional-grade guide to inking comic books. Overall, this was one of the best books on comic book creation I have read, for example, better than the basic DC Comics Guides.
Best bits: This is entirely a gem: both the guide on the basics of the trade and the head-to-head comparison of how professionals would ink the same panel are well-executed.
What I liked?
+ The book covers techniques for line weights, contour lines, blacks, feathering, and crosshatching. Every technique is covered in detail, with numerous examples both of how to do the work and how not to. The care given to explain what is not right, even in examples where this requires finesse, is important and not found in other books I’ve checked on the topic.
+ The book also covers inking for specific topics, from cartoons to faces to backgrounds; texture is also covered, a bit later. These are also covered very well, with guidelines (rules) and analysis of what can go wrong when one does not follow them.
+ There is a bit on discovering your personal style and on advanced aspects of inking, which I found particularly important as it anticipates the second part of the book: the head-to-head comparison of personal styles, organized around several very different full-pages.
What I didn’t like?
Well, I really liked everything about this. Perhaps the idea I won’t be able to follow through these wonderful lessons for many years...
Best bits: This is entirely a gem: both the guide on the basics of the trade and the head-to-head comparison of how professionals would ink the same panel are well-executed.
What I liked?
+ The book covers techniques for line weights, contour lines, blacks, feathering, and crosshatching. Every technique is covered in detail, with numerous examples both of how to do the work and how not to. The care given to explain what is not right, even in examples where this requires finesse, is important and not found in other books I’ve checked on the topic.
+ The book also covers inking for specific topics, from cartoons to faces to backgrounds; texture is also covered, a bit later. These are also covered very well, with guidelines (rules) and analysis of what can go wrong when one does not follow them.
+ There is a bit on discovering your personal style and on advanced aspects of inking, which I found particularly important as it anticipates the second part of the book: the head-to-head comparison of personal styles, organized around several very different full-pages.
What I didn’t like?
Well, I really liked everything about this. Perhaps the idea I won’t be able to follow through these wonderful lessons for many years...
February 18, 2018
Not the in depth approach of comic book inking I expected. Rather similar to DC's "Guide to inking Comics" but differentiated by the several examples by professional inkers - which also varied a lot in quality.
March 28, 2010
If you're new too inking, I would definitely recommend this book as it will fill you in on the basics of tools and techniques. It goes over basic concepts but not in anywhere near as much depth and detail as 'DC Comics Guide to Inking'. It's other strength, and unique feature, is tips, advice and actual inking / pencil samples from highly respected industry professionals. Various inkers discuss their approach to their inked version of the same pencils (the pencils being a courtesy of Steve Rude). This section in particular is great for inkers of all skill level, from hobbyist to professionals. In addition, there's also a bristol-board blue pencil sample at the end of the book by none other than Steve Rude, which is great as well for practice and comparison. In summary, if you want to learn how to ink, get this book as well as 'DC Comics Guide to Inking'. While the former (this book) is great for practical advice and getting started the latter is great of understanding theory in depth.
April 25, 2011
I've had this book for years and never looked at it. Finally, a few days ago, I pulled it out because I was weeding my bookshelf (hard) and didn't want to keep anything I wasn't truly going to use.
After looking through the artwork, I decided I did not want my drawings to go in this direction. To me, the style looks corny and harsh and the comics shown look noisy and cluttered. Perhaps because I've become used to the clean, beautiful look of high-quality manga, I do not like the art in this book at all. I'm getting rid of it.
After looking through the artwork, I decided I did not want my drawings to go in this direction. To me, the style looks corny and harsh and the comics shown look noisy and cluttered. Perhaps because I've become used to the clean, beautiful look of high-quality manga, I do not like the art in this book at all. I'm getting rid of it.
September 15, 2012
This is a good introduction to the art of comic book inking. Often misunderstood, inking is NOT just going over the lines laid down by the penciler. This book shows the different styles of various inkers and how to approach penciled artwork. Included is a blue line fold out by Steve Rude, for practicing over.
January 6, 2015
Sixteen top comic book inkers in groups of five or six inking the same piece without seeing each other's work--and talking about what they've done. For anyone who does line work, this book is of interest. Great catalog of facial shadows in different lights and sharp sections on feathering and cross hatching. (Also nice to see an acknowledgement of Mike Friedrich.)
February 27, 2013
This book is very informative, entertaining, and full of little tips and tricks that can be translated to other art applications apart from comic inking. If you have a chance, take a minute and brush through it, you won't regret it.
July 20, 2008
I read this a few years back. I want to read it again.
Recommended by Scott McCloud in "Making Comics."
Recommended by Scott McCloud in "Making Comics."
September 30, 2014
still my favorite reference book until today
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews