I need to learn Inking

[Qreator]

I’ve started a webcomic, I never did backgrounds but now I find myself needing to build skill, fast, at creating backgrounds.
I’m trying to go for an outlined look fairly focused on lines, grayscale tones and gradients.

My process this far is:
1. Pencil image & background
a. Separate from each other if intended for repeated uses.
2. Scan at 600dpi
3. Ink in Photoshop with black
4. Use the magic wand to cell shade
5. Tone
6. Letter

I want backgrounds that are minimal, light on detail and heavy with black. Such as the fallowing examples:

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs42/f/20...y_xaqBazit.jpg

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs24/i/20..._ladykelly.jpg

http://cdn.comicartfans.com/Images/C...waki_inks.jpgv

I’m at a loss as to where to find material that details some of the basics of black and white inking. I need something that isn’t just about materials (since i have photoshop), but about application theory. Perhaps in summary: I need to learn how to ink, fast, where should I look for resources?

Thank you, all who would help me.

[Arshes Nei]

Can you show us YOUR examples too?

[Star Eater]

I’ve started a webcomic, I never did backgrounds but now I find myself needing to build skill, fast, at creating backgrounds.

/SNIP

summary: I need to learn how to ink, fast, where should I look for resources?

Thank you, all who would help me.

As the Empress said, this is the right place to learn. The wrong thing to do is to show us examples of other peoples work. Strong black and white comic styled inking is pretty self explanatory. Nobody cares what they do, we care about what you can do! All the inking in the world won't save you if you can't draw.

You're kind of inking yourself into a corner starting a webcomic in that style (or at all) without actually having the confidence or know how to pull it off. Show us your stuff! I'd go one step further though by asking you to put it in the critique section.

http://conceptart.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=59

They'll learn ya in there. Oh yeah. They'll learn ya reeeaalll good.

[Elwell]

http://www.bigtimeattic.com/blog/200...ack-areas.html
http://chodrawings.blogspot.com/2009...ut-inking.html

And there's some really good discussion of inking technique and philosophy in this thread (despite the OP's idiocy):
http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=135463

[sanya]

First, 600 dpi is probably over kill-- but whatever floats your boat. As for inking, your best resource is Gary Martin's "Art of Comic Book Inking;" it's a great book for learning how to balance your use of black and white, separating foreground from background and just general, all around good technique.

Also, this is a bit of an aside, but someone here on the forums once gave me a very good quip: your backgrounds are characters too. It may not sound like much off hand, but repeating this one phrase in my head like a mantra has completely changed me as an artist. I actually don't loathe backgrounds anymore, for one.

Anyway, best of luck with your web comic!

[Jon_Dog]

http://forlocks.deviantart.com/art/07-283720923 I'm assuming this is OP's work (followed from the broken sketchbook link) I think the gradients don't actually work that well, they look lazy due to being generated and conflict with the flat/semi-shaded style of the characters.

[Arshes Nei]

Also, this is a bit of an aside, but someone here on the forums once gave me a very good quip: your backgrounds are characters too. It may not sound like much off hand, but repeating this one phrase in my head like a mantra has completely changed me as an artist. I actually don't loathe backgrounds anymore, for one.

Anyway, best of luck with your web comic!

"Don't think character and background, but scene and story" -Elwell (paraphrasing)

[manlybrian]

Elwell, that was huge. I read through all of those links and it was exactly what I've been searching for lately. Thanks a bunch.

[Star Eater]

Heh, whatever happened to Riceface anyway?

[manlybrian]

He's been studying foooo!

[Qreator]

Yes, Gunnersquad, you’re spot on. That Deviant art site has the comic I speak of and 07 is a perfect example. Sorry I didn’t originally post examples of my work, somehow that completely slipped my mind, but linking my deviant art was very clever and I praise your ingenuity.
I have saved the links and quotes and I will be studying them as best I can. Thank you.
The gradients are a cheat, and I know they’re not the best, but I’m still trying to wrangle everything into what I want (and I’m not sure what I want). I know web comics are for learning and I’ll probably go ahead and post to the critiques forum once I figure out more questions to be asking.