
This is how I like to check the inks against the pencil drawings - as jpgs next to each other


Jacket didn't need to be redrawn, just the part that stretched.
***All INKS should be labeled, just like the pencils! - 1) numbered and with 2) action instructions and 3) dialogue (this is the first time I've told anyone that....)

lost some shape in the arm above...Back of arm in pencil is an 'S' curve - changed to an even "C" curve. Front of arm in pencil is straighter (not totally straight) has been changed to be fatter.

These are excellent. (Jimmy's smile line is indicated in pencil to be thicker...)



![[sody01b.jpg]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ONiNgqolO94/SIybw_yiS2I/AAAAAAAAATM/4yyvBrgGO6w/s1600/sody01b.jpg)
![[05c.jpg]](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1cXCkmrxxfY/SJATkd9jEjI/AAAAAAAAAO4/aZb-63pPjWk/s1600/05c.jpg)
STAYING TRUE TO SUBTLE ORGANIC SHAPES
This one by David is very faithful to the subtle contrasts in shapes of all the elements, which is very important to me. He has not turned the eyes into ovals, and has captured every change in direction of each curve. He has kept it solid and organic.
He also kept the bends in the curves in the same places that the pencils have. Many people when they trace drawings move the bend in the curve to the middle of the curve.
I have 1 criticism: the line weights are inconsistent. One side of the tongue is thin, the side thick. Same with the arm. One part of the face silhouette is thin, the other thick. This makes the big forms not hold together and breaks apart the image.
The eye outlines should be a bit thicker and so should the bottom line of the open mouth. The whole open mouth is a single shape that should hold together by the width of the lines.
I indicated a thick side to the shirt button in the pencil, but it's not in the ink.
The line around the tooth should be thicker to make it a whole object. Etc.
Compare to this one, which holds together the larger forms more consistently.
HOLDING BIG FORMS TOGETHER WITH THICKER LINES
![[ink_05.jpg]](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EpyQb9Rnmzg/SJAPn8b8naI/AAAAAAAAAnM/pneVMKu6jZg/s1600/ink_05.jpg)
The big shapes are bounded by thick lines, while the interior details are thinner and wrap around the big shapes.
The hierarchy of line widths is well thought out - plus he kept all the subtle shapes and organicness.
The bottom of Jimmy's legs are behind a box, but should have a blue line cutting them off like in the pencils.

This one is 90% there.....

a couple minor notes on this one:
The Inking is making the characters fatter than the drawing, because the inking tends to be on the outside of the pencil lines, instead of straight down the middle
Overall lines could be thicker (I think there is a button in Illustrator that wil take them and do it automatically)
Slab N Ernie's eyebrows could be closer to the drawing
Slab's sleeve should flow along the form of his arm on the right side.
Be a bit more conscious of angles - like the back of Ernie's head and his ears
it's very good though, I'm just nitpicking
Here's some funny stuff inked off my crappy story sketches...
The Inking is making the characters fatter than the drawing, because the inking tends to be on the outside of the pencil lines, instead of straight down the middle
Overall lines could be thicker (I think there is a button in Illustrator that wil take them and do it automatically)
Slab N Ernie's eyebrows could be closer to the drawing
Slab's sleeve should flow along the form of his arm on the right side.
Be a bit more conscious of angles - like the back of Ernie's head and his ears
it's very good though, I'm just nitpicking
Here's some funny stuff inked off my crappy story sketches...



David did a nice job inking Katie's sketches below. He kinda softened some of the contrasts in the shapes but it still looks funny and cute:

BTW, should I post more rough story sketches from any of the cartoons?
20 comments:
I want to thank you for the comment on my blog. Keep the critiques coming. Every one of them helps immensely. Working on corrections as I type.
Excellent post. I've been waiting for an inking tutorial since this blog started.
-David O.
That drawing of George in snorkeling gear just kills me.
Hi John,
Thanks a lot for the comment on my blog!
You are right about the mistakes in the shapes.
I'll keep that more in mind next time.
these are looking great!! Very promising inkers starting to rise up. can't wait for this show!
Thanks John. These critiques help me a ton. I've found a lot of good older inking posts by clicking the "cleanup" labels also.
Owh and, YES I'd love it if you post more rough drawings ^_^
Yes Indeed. Simply watching UFC will make you stronger at anything you do.
Hi John
I'm curious, what are the possitions still available?
Inking? Layout? Story?
Please let me know.
Some great stuff here. I'd like to take a look at some source files, to see what techniques are used.
Thanks for the great inking posts John. However,just in case you were expecting me to do a test, I've decided to pass. The George Liquor Show, is one of those shows I would enjoy watching, but be completely unable to work on. I wouldn't be able to act for the characters. I envy animation artists who can act for any character. I really do!
Thanks for teaching. I will always check in soak up your wisdom.
TFN,
Ashanti
Are these inked traditionally with brush and ink, Flash, Illustrator, or something else?
Here's a couple:
here
and here
...Lots more to follow.
I'd love to give some of these a try if you could post up some more rough drawings.
I think this is the post i've been waiting for with regards to good inking! I can see what you like and i gotta say, i need to give illustrater a spin sometime and get cracking on my inking practise. Thanks for the post John!
Definitely post more story roughs!
Maybe some with Sody?
Here is my first attempt, I will post more soon.
Jimmy
As I've promised, here is another inking... now the turn is for lovely Sody!
Here is another attempt from some of the recent rough's you posted. I'd love any criticism.
http://gabedozer.blogspot.com/2008/07/more-inking-tests.html
I'd love to see more roughs please, bring em on!
do you have any animators in house? or are you going through copernicus?
i just moved to LA, after 3 years of animating in new york I want to work somewhere I can do some solid animation and learn too. not just limited flash bs.
i didn't get into this just for a dayjob.
i'd even be down to inbetween your stuff just to be in a good environment with people who care about what they're doing.
here's my reel:
smo's reel
tomsmo@gmail.com
if there's any room for a bitter new yorker in your midst, let me know!
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