Your sketch doesn’t have to be perfect. Just try to get the major lines, focus and proportions right. A lot will change by the time you begin inking.
The pencil lines of your sketch should be precise and clearly defined. Try not to let them run together too much, as this can make inking tricky. Erase pencil mistakes completely so they don’t become a distraction.
The more upright you sit, the better. Otherwise, your back may start hurting during lengthy inking sessions. Your work area should be well lit to promote visibility.
Gripping the pen near the tip, close to the paper itself, will keep it more stable than holding it higher up near the middle. You’ll make fewer mistakes, and what small mistakes you do make will be less pronounced. Maintaining a sharp angle between the pen and paper helps pull ink out of the pen more efficiently, resulting in smooth, fluid line work.
Don’t just trace over the lines you’ve already drawn—imagine that you’re drawing them a second time, this time with the boldness of ink. When you come to a section of the drawing that’s difficult to ink, turn the paper and continue in the same orientation, rather than contorting your hand or trying to ink in an uncomfortable direction. Keep the final image in mind when inking your drawing. If you’re just following the same lines you sketched, the objects will look forced and crude.
Use a thin nib (the interchangeable tip of a dip pen) and light ink for the initial outline and thicken lines later as you go. Give the ink a few minutes to dry before you start adding detail or going over lines a second time. [7] X Research source
Hatching, crosshatching and stippling are useful when you want to create the effect of texture without having to use an excessive amount of ink coloring in empty space. [9] X Research source Don’t go too crazy adding textural elements. If overdone, it can end up looking chaotic.
As a rule, the parts of an object that are furthest from a light source need to be shaded more to deepen shadows, whereas leaving an area unshaded will suggest brightness. [11] X Research source The more realistic the drawing, the greater amount of shading and toning it will require.
Cartoons tend to look better with thick, bold outer lines, while the line work of realistic drawings varies and is often dictated by lighting and perspective. A drawing that you plan on coloring will not need too much interior detail, as it will get in the way.
Because of the way you naturally make strokes, your drawing and inking techniques should be very similar.
Test out different pen nibs so that you’ll have a several available to you when you need them. The nib is the interchangeable tip of the pen that comes into contact with the paper and deploys ink. [15] X Research source Pens can work as all-purpose inking tools, but a brush can save you time when it comes to shading tasks.
India ink is a reliable standard choice for artists, as it is dark, waterproof and permanent. If you’re using prepackaged or commercial grade pens that contain their own ink, switch them out when you need to change how thick or dark your lines are.
Browse your local arts supply store for high-quality papers that are designed specifically for inking. You should also be sure to draw on a flat, solid surface and work at an angle that’s most comfortable for you
Put together an artist’s toolkit so that you’ll have a greater number of implements at your disposal. Part of becoming a better artist is discovering what works best for your individual style.
