The Inkwell Awards & comic book inking....

[BobBretall]

They have posted the Nomination committee for the 2012 Inkwell Awards (given out at Heroes Con for excellence in inking) and I am privileged to have been on the committee for a 2nd year:
http://www.inkwellawards.com/?page_id=3142

The nomination process is now complete so we can talk about this. I keep my eye out throughout the year for example of good inkers (each committee member should try to nominate AT LEAST 6 people in each category, citing examples of their work), but I must say, it's getting harder & harder each year.

A good inker (like a good color artist) adds a LOT to the finished product. I'm seeing fewer & fewer inkers each year, particularly outside of the big publishers.

Applying color directly to the pencil art has become more common, and the color artists are becoming de facto inkers on a lot of books. They're doing some great work. Of course, we're also seeing more & more one-artist shows, which is a good thing.

I'll continue to keep my eyes open for great inking, and comics art in general, but wanted to toss open a thread for people to chat about what they think of this much maligned skill. A good inker is not a "tracer" they enhance the pencil art. A bad inker can do a lot to muddy/obscure the art.

[Gilgabob]

I would find it difficult to judge something like this. It seems to me it would be difficult to define an inker's skill without seeing the penciled work too. I don't envy you.

[boshuda]

It's one of those things where if the inker is only inking one penciller and/or the penciller is always inked by one person it's difficult to determine who is a good inker. I usually notice an inker is decent when they're replaced by a less skilled inker.

[ctowner1]

It's one of those things where if the inker is only inking one penciller and/or the penciller is always inked by one person it's difficult to determine who is a good inker. I usually notice an inker is decent when they're replaced by a less skilled inker.

That's definitely a good way to spot a good (or bad) inker.

I also find that some inkers just work better with some artists and not as well with others. So while an inker may not be so impressive in some instances, he can appear great in others.

For example, Klaus Jansen, who has a heavy inking style, is an inker for whom my enjoyment of his work varies wildly depending on whom he is inking.

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