Recently, I did a review of the Jimmy Reyes Inking Kit for Clip Studio. I was quite high on what the kit offered and the opportunities it gives one to learn the digital inking skill set. Since that review I have been working with Clip Studio Paint and enjoying myself immensely with the process involved. I am not turning out masterpieces in any fashion but I am learning how to control the pencil and the pressure needed to vary the line weight. Little by little I am gaining more mastery of my meager skills. But that’s not the fun part.
Where the fun comes in is taking some of the pencilled works of my art heroes and getting the chance to ink them in. In my youth I would have given anything to work on pieces by Jack Kirby, John Buscema, and more currently, Jim Lee. Now through the techniques I learned from Mr. Reyes and the ample examples found online. I can do what I only could have dreamed of in my youth.
A few examples: I took this pencil drawing of the GREAT Jack Kirby and tried my hand at inking it. For Jack, I didn’t try to embellish too much. Jack Kirby should look like Jack Kirby. I started with this pencil work of Thor.
Next I transformed it into non-photo blue.
Next came the inking phase. As I said, nothing fancy here. Kirby SHOULD be Kirby.
Finally, I added some color. Just your basic colors. No fancy shades…yet.
The whole process brought back the memories of doing these kind of things when I was young. Of course, I did them the old fashioned way back then. India ink, pencil, and whatever I could find for color. Admittedly, this is a lot easier. And more importantly, it is a lot of fun. Currently I am working on a Jim Lee Superman drawing. Nothing better than getting to work on the greats without a deadline hanging over your head.
So if you’re into comic art and like to draw, try your hand at this. Go to the Celsys website and download the trial version of Clip Studio Paint. Do a search for your favorite artist pencils and try your hand. Remember, undo is your best friend and you have no one to please but yourself. Give it a go and be sure to share your efforts with us at GeekVibesNation.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
