Quotes From Comic Book Inker:
From Cliff Chiang – Cliff is an artist that has worked on Batman, Transmetropolitan, Grendel, Swamp Thing, and much more. The full interview can be seen at Silver Bullet Comic Books.About being inked and inking his own work – “I've been inked by others in the past, and they've all done an outstanding job. Different from how I may have imagined the final artwork, but that's the nature of collaboration, isn't it? The thing is, I really enjoy inking, and having control over the final look of the artwork. For me, the ink IS the drawing, so I prefer to do that myself.”
From Bob McLeod – A classic inker, Bob has worked on The X-Men, The New Mutants, Spider-Man, Captain America, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and many others. From an interview on Adelaide Comics and Books.
About becoming an inker – “Well I really started inking because even though my drawing was advanced, it wasn’t super hero dynamically ready. They thought my story telling wasn’t there yet and my poses were a little too tame. They weren’t the John Buscema/Jack Kirby dynamics that they were looking for. So that’s why I started inking, but the whole time I was inking I was also working on making my pencils look more dynamic for super heroes. Eventually I started pencilling the super heroes as well. I basically started inking because my pencilling wasn’t quite ready and then I really felt like I had an aptitude for inking, and they seemed to like my inking so I did a lot more of it.
Basically, what I want out of an inker is someone who draws well and won’t lose the subtleties in the figure drawing that I enjoy. I don’t think my strength is my storytelling, it’s more my figure drawing. So I want an inker who can maintain that.”
From Tim Townsend – An inker that has worked on The X-Men, House of M, Captain America and others. From an interview on Adelaide Comics and Books.
About starting inking and having a backup plan – “Go to college, get an education, and learn how to draw. Don't put all your eggs in this basket because, chances are, you wont make it. That's the cold, hard fact of the matter. Have an education to fall back on, a Plan B if-you-will. If you're insane enough to pursue it further, be prepared for a lot of criticism and LISTEN TO IT! Keep your ego in check and realize that no one cares who you are, only what you can do. This market has a surplus of talent and a shortage of projects. You're going to be competing with seasoned pros', some who have been doing this for decades, for the same jobs. You must be better or at least more marketable."
"Inkers especially need to be on their toes. Learn what the heck inking is. Learn how to draw. Anyone who thinks inking is a job for failed pencillers or an easier route to go hasn't got a clue and probably won't have a prayer.”
