Inking: By hand vs. Computer

[Vorticus]

I'm starting to get into real drawing, and I'd like to know the pros and cons of the different ways of inking. I intend for all my art to end up on the computer eventually(when I get a scanner). Thoughts on this?

[Dark Spider]

For me, it's best to ink by hand. You have the greatest control over line quality and plus you can easily vary line widths at a whim.

Some people may benefit computer inking and they are sure to tell you their own pros. For me, I don't see any pros to it though.

[Ida]

Well, to me the main problem with computer inking is that it's quite simply harder, at least unless you have a really good tablet. Inking with a mouse is just painful, as most people know, and whereas I've seen a lot of people draw truly great pictures with tablets, those just aren't my thing. I like being able to hold the finished page in my hand, to physically get as close to it as I like and to move and rotate the paper freely while inking without the bother of having to do it in a computer program (though I think there's a program out there that lets you do exactly that?)

That being said, I'm sure both methods of inking can work just as well for you as long as you have the right equipment and take the time and effort to learn it properly. Some people argue that computer inked lines are less 'personal' or 'alive' than hand inked ones, but after seeing certain artist's works, I have to disagree on that. In my opinion, stunningly great (or marvellously crappy) inking can be done both on the computer and by hand.

Inking is what you make it.

[Pylon]

I ink using the computer. It's harder not being able to hold something physical in your hand, but the plus side is that I can undo anything almost entirely. So if I ink a line wrong, or I mess something up, "undo" and I'm back to square one. That's really the only reason I do it on the computer in the first place.

[Jen_Babcock]

If you don't have a tablet, I would recommend just inking by hand. It all really depends on what method is more comfortable/effective/efficient for you.

[Castle_Builder]

So that I don't TOTALLY and COMPLETELY put all of you to sleep I will stick to theory and not discuss the technical elements such as mouse, tablet, pen, brush, paper, dpi. Of course if you want a discussion of the elements just say so and I will continue, but as some of you know, I tend to be a bit overly verbose. Which I have once again proven with this opening statement which was initially meant to be only a line or two.

In any case . . .


HAND:

Forces you to focus. It makes you think about your lines and improve your craft because you know making changes or correcting mistakes is more difficult. Certainly people use white out. ALL the pros use white out either to correct mistakes or for effect. BUT using white out has many drawbacks.

Doing it by hand also makes you move on. You get as far as you can and then you have to step back and say you're done. When using a computer it is FAR too easy to keep making changes indefinately and ultimately it becomes a serious dissadvantage.

Doing it by hand makes you a better artist. This is not to say that computer artists can't draw well by hand, that's not what I am saying. But your craft is something that materializes from your ability to create with your hands and "draw."

When people use the computer they change line thicknesses and brush types etc and it's the computer that is really doing the work. They don't get a feel for what it is like to really drw something. And thus their craft suffers. Sure it might look nice on the web, but it still is merely digital and thus only half a piece of artwork in my mind.

When you do it by hand you have a hard copy illustration you can be proud of. You have your ACTUAL artwork as YOU made it, ALL by yourself. You weren't aided by a "program" or an algorithum. YOU did it and for me that sense of accomplishment is worth the effort. I really like having an "Original" piece of artwork. When you digitally ink, you loose that originality, because in the digital world there isn't really an "original" if you take my meaning.


COMP:

Looks fantastic if it is done correctly. I mean, I get jealous of some of the digital inkers because their lines are so smooth and consistent. You create an illustration that is easily replicatable so that come time for prints etc you can easily create the same quality for each.

You don't have to worry about scanning inked works which is a pain in the ass and you have more control over your medium.

It's also cheaper. All your brushes and inks are right there on your computer. You don't "run out" of instruments. Also, as has been said, it is easier to make changes on a computer too. Once you become efficient with the method it can be a breeze to finish works with. With hand inking you have to worry about grease, spotting, getting bumped, spreading, white out and sooo many other things that the computer erases.

Problem is, it's not unique. It's a clone and will be a clone. Every time you copy the file post it, send it to a friend etc it is nothing more then a clone, every one will have an image of equal quality. I looses its personality.


GENERALLY:

When you look at the best inkers out there there is a reason they do it by hand. There is a reason they use brushes. It adds personality, depth, soul if you will.

This is where the philisophical journey of the artwork can become polished and more then merely ethereal.

Penciling is like a thought, it is flimsy and insubstantial, but if you focus on that mere thought and create an idea, a theory, or a concept then you have an inked piece. Something that is grounded and solid.

Then comes color . . . but that's a whole different chapter and I won't bore you any longer . . .

[Lynx2174]

for digital inking you can use the pen tool (or equivalent) for inking, which makes it faster, and makes the lines just as clean as from a tablet. however they'll be super uniform, which might be a con. use stroke path.

I guess then you could go in and make line width variations with the paintbrush, but then It'll take quite a while.

Digital inking is certainly cheaper (well, once you get the dang program), and can be comparable in speed, and can look cleaner for the web.

I haven't done much physical inking, even then just with ballpoint G2 pens, so I can't tell you much there.

[Swiftbow]

I like inking with my mouse.

Okay, it may not be as accurate as some kind of fancy tablet thingy, but if I zoom in pretty far it's hard to miss my pencil lines, and I can always undo if I do. That's why I like the computer... undo. I've messed up too many hand drawings with bad coloring to ever want to go back.

[Yeahduff]

I always found undo to be a crutch. We learn from our mistakes, and if our mistakes don't stare us in the face and haunt us, we have less incentive to change, to make it better, to learn.

I obviously prefer hand inking, for most of Castle Builder's reasons. Neither, however, is superior, it's a question of which works best for you.

[Sam_Charette]

I always found undo to be a crutch. We learn from our mistakes, and if our mistakes don't stare us in the face and haunt us, we have less incentive to change, to make it better, to learn.

It is, but it's a necessary crutch to some of us. Given my general lack of skill if I had to do it using a brush I'd never do it, and so could never get better. I'd see all of the mistakes I made and give up. Doing it on the computer allows me to see the mistake, make a note of it and correct it immediately. It allows me to progress where I wouldn't be able to do so otherwise.

Neither, however, is superior, it's a question of which works best for you.

Agreed. For me, there is no choice at this stage. It's digital or not at all. If/when I get better, I may try inking by brush, but not likely until then.

[Prettysenshi]

First off, I would NEVER ink with a mouse again. It was helll, and made my work look like...well, not crap, but not to the best of my abilities. Next, if you're inking with a tablet, I heard you can get great results with if, but it takes a while to get used to and to become good at it.

I prefer inking by hand. No real reason other than the fact that it feels more organic to me when doing mostly everything my hand, except the lettering.

[Faub]

I've seen really beautiful work done entirely digitally. Alpha Shade for example.

I've watched http://lorbot.deviantart.com/ this guy draw some wonder manga style artwork using nothing but a wacom.

That said, I've seen some pretty bad digital art. The same way I've seen really good hand drawn artwork and really bad hand drawn artwork. It's a matter of practice and style. If you get good at one you aren't necessarily good at the other.

Pick one and practice.

[Townie]

Lately I've been digitally inking but keeping the mindest of working with pencils. The plus side for me is it's cleaner and a little more direct. The downside is it doesn't feel the same as regular drawing and I have to work doubly hard at tightening it up

[Bwerith]

That's why I like the computer... undo. I've messed up too many hand drawings with bad coloring to ever want to go back.

I used to be scared of inking my drawings, because I thought I'd screw them up.

Then I just went ahead with it, inked them... and screwed up more often than not.

Now I'm less scared of making mistakes. I don't make fewer mistakes... they just don't bother me as much anymore. I am still pretty terrible at inking; part of it is cheap pens, part of it is a general lack of skill and practice. But at least I'm learning (albeit slowly).

[Sput]

I've seen really beautiful work done entirely digitally. Alpha Shade for example.

I've watched http://lorbot.deviantart.com/ this guy draw some wonder manga style artwork using nothing but a wacom.

That said, I've seen some pretty bad digital art. The same way I've seen really good hand drawn artwork and really bad hand drawn artwork. It's a matter of practice and style. If you get good at one you aren't necessarily good at the other.

Pick one and practice.

once again, the mystical chibi has effectively read my mind.

[Blackaby]

I guess like everyone else said it depends on what you want from your art... they're both pretty hard. (At least I've found!)

[Wp]

I'd love to ink digitally if I had the money for a decent wacom. But I'm not entirely sure I could draw on the table and have the picture show up on the screen. Seems too weird to me.

[Townie]

Just think of the screen as a magnified view of your drawing hand. It doesn't take too long to get used to

[Starline]

1. Personally, I'd rather ink by hand. It's faster and more efficient for me.

2. Never ink with a mouse for a long period of time. It leads to carpal tunnel syndrome in the long run and your wrists will be in a world of hurt.

3. If you do ink with tablet, have patience, and work BIG. Your lines will look smoother once its shrunk.

[Yeahduff]

once again, the mystical chibi has effectively read my mind.

He has a habit of doing that.