The Secrets Behind Classic Inking Techniques

Mark Morales reveals his essential techniques for advanced comic book inking. By analyzing examples from legends like Bernie Wrightson, Morales explains core concepts including using varied line weights and crosshatching to create illusions of depth. He also covers leveraging tools like frisket film for dramatic effects, feathering lines, adding texture, and more pro tips. This lesson’s packed with professional tips and techniques for inkers to take their comic skills to the next level.
To learn more about inking check out the full course at proko.com/marvel
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ABOUT PROKO:
Instructional How to Draw videos for artists. My drawing lessons are approachable enough for beginners and detailed enough for advanced artists. My philosophy is to teach timeless concepts in an entertaining way. I believe that when you are having fun, you learn better. I take pride in producing high-quality videos that you will enjoy watching and re-watching.
CREDITS:
Artist | Instructor - Mark Morales (markmorales.bi...)
Producer - Stan Prokopenko (www.stanprokope...), Sean Ramsey (www.peoplewhodr...), Patrick Bosworth (www.patrickdav...)
Production Assistance - Patrick Bosworth, Sean Ramsey, Stephen Clark (www.peppermint...), Kristian Nee (www.kristianne...) Editing - Ash Lo Russo (www.artstation..., Charlie Nicholson ( / shloogorgh )
Publishing - John Birchall, Alex Otis
Music Used with Permission from the ABC Music Library

[@ProkoTV]

Get more insights, tips, and techniques into inking from Mark in the premium course - proko.com/marvel

[@brycetheoddball]

The fact that I draw so much and now I see this and I’m like “I have another goal to reach now”.

[@jacobwest7]

That's great, I hope you get there soon!

[@doug9418]

One can never draw too much. Keep drawing and keep smiling.

[@Topcatyo.]

I think what most strikes me is not only Bernie Wrightson's mastery of inking, but also his mastery of composition. Despite his illustrations being SO busy, there is absolutely no difficulty in being able to see what's happening, and the reader is able to find the focal point of the illustration effortlessly. I really should study his stuff more. Mark's illustrations look fantastic as well.

[@margett__]

Phenomenal examples! So much to learn from the masters. The Frankenstein book is on another level.

[@warneres-cool7793]

Mark Morales one of the best inkers of the moment. His impeccable work amazes me.

[@RogerioPereiradaSilva77]

Bernie Wrightson's Frankenstein is such a master piece and something to make you humble about your own inking or rather your artwork skills in general, something of an unobtainable goal and it is such a beautiful thing that is sometimes hard to believe that something like that was rendered by human hands!

[@fandeandreaarruti]

Watching this I realized that I really, really like comics...

[@thorsmallet]

I've talked and met Mark many times, and he's an amazingly kind and nice human being!

[@Nonexistentbystanderhere]

This is nothing short of superb. Marvelous work, you magnificent artists, you! I shall heed your instructions and perhaps pursue my artistic prowess aswell... Cheers!

[@tylerrichlen3286]

I was always excited to pick up works by Morales and Coipel. One of my favorite power duos, not unlike Lee and Williams. The X-Men and Thor runs were something else.

[@ZachDotsey]

I had that Frankenstein book at some point in my life. I wish I knew where it was now because Wrightson’s work was absolutely gorgeous.

[@27Pyth]

I'd be happy to draw half as well as any of these guys, and I love what a humble respectful and intense student Morales is of the art of inking and of his peers -- he's great -- but holy moly Wrightson can stand alongside master engravers like Gustav Dore. He's mind-blowing.

[@Robd07]

Im no artist...but man seeing The Frankenstein art seemed like ALOT of work to put in!

[@Cesar_M_Romero]

I think what I enjoyed the most about this video is how happy his job makes Mark Morales, he speaks so passionately about it and so highly about his colleagues that he seems, to me, like he’s really happy doing what he does!

[@darthstryk7169]

Mark Morales is the last of a dying breed. There aren't many Inkers left in comics. I don't know if they don't like to pay them or artists wanted to make more money so they started inking themselves? I miss the days when every book had an Inker because more often than not the artist would do more issues because they wouldn't have to do so much work. Now artists can barely make it four issues before they need a fill in artist. Inkers usually make artists look better than they look when they do it themselves, anyway. Their professionals, that's why they exist.

[@HighLife76th]

What is that 2nd book he pulls out. The one with the marvel work?

[@greekveteran2715]

Raphael 8404 no2, is probably the best brush for inking!! I own 8408,Da Vinci maestro and others,Raphael has more snap and holds more water,tip is fine for details. I do watercolour illustrations more,and I cant stress enough,how important a good brush is. Another thing that most artists ignore,is the fact that the 100% cotton watercolour papers sold in sheets,are not the same as the paper they use in their pads. Mould paper which only comes in sheeys,is way better than the paper most companies use in their pads/blocks.

[@wrexvincent]

Getting that Bernie Wrightson Frankenstein book inspired me to try and learn how to do ink art but was always too intimidated to get started because there is just SO MUCH to learn without any real guidance. Giving it a more serious try all these years later and I hope I can advance as an artist.

[@theothercomicguy]

Fantastic video

[@hristohristov5218]

what is that green cover book he is looking at inked drawings?

[@Uselessdodo]

That Frankenstein thing

[@leonardojacobforespardo9101]

Let's goooooo new proko video🗣️🗣️🔊🔊

[@DanAbsalonson]

That was amazing. Thanks!

[@dwayneross1066]

Klaus Jansen! One of my faves!

[@doug9418]

WoW thanx, that was fun and interesting.

[@bozoclown2098]

Bless you . I do not play catch-up or name calling. Too busy.

[@yaghobshojaei]

Perfect

[@Jay-ql4gp]

Thank you!

[@samankucher5117]

0:26 oh god look at that ...

[@DarkGloComics]

Bernie Wrightson makes my carpal tunnel mad af.

[@okinthefirst]

thx man

[@sinchman1]

I sent 12 package portfolios since 1988-1996. I never got called to work for Marvel I knew how in sketch ink and color

[@ProkoTV]

Hopefully, you found fulfilling comics work with another company and didn't let that one company not reaching out stop you!

[@sinchman1]

@@ProkoTV I also tried Image, Disney, Nickelodeon, Pixar and Retro Studios gaming company Never found that key career that I wanted to do. I work for an investment firm creating there presentations for the marketing team.

[@jeremiahembs5343]

All great examples. I've done a lot of work on Klaus Janson's stuff. Always fantastic.

[@Nikke283]

8:29 That such Page leads to madness, I just figured while inking And coloring such a sweetheart (especially since I have no real Inking skills...) *picture me rambling stuff under real good Proko vids @.@

[@neototem4110]

Spaceknight

[@artdeco64]

Everyone knows what inkers really are. If you’re not sure just KZbin: Chasing Amy Inker The other great scene from the movie, Chasing Amy is (KZbin): Chasing Amy Star Wars.

[@timpeterson87]

that Wrightson book is my “bible”.

[@ProkoTV]

It's worth the praise!

[@timpeterson87]

@@ProkoTV fully agree. Keep up the good work man.

[@annasalholdthansen6101]

Can you try to draw a man who became crucefied😊

[@bunnystakeovertheworld]

HELLO!!❤❤❤

[@conniemadesumthin]

Are comics the only thing inkers work on?

[@XenobraneStudios]

'Inkers' are generally associated with comics, but artist/illustrators also work with ink in various styles of art like architectural, landscapes, figurative, etc.

[@joelgabriel7066]

a nice video

[@raulcual9510]

Can you make Anime tutorial or Manga tutorial 😅

[@lyrahealy1393]

what's the book he's referencing from?

[@ProkoTV]

Bernie Wrightson's Frankenstein

[@CAVEDATA]

At 5:12 the marks on those legs look so bad to me. Just mentioning because im really surprised.

[@nimroddormin9844]

And there's the problem: There are a million ways to do it, it ONLY depends on what you want. Yeah well, how do I know what I want if there are a million ways that all look equally good to me?

[@McShmoodle]

Ask yourself what are the needs of the piece? What elements are the most important to emphasize? And if the pencils are not your own, what style compliments the artist 's style? While it's true that there is no universal way to approach inking process, there are definitely ways that are more effective in certain contexts. Ultimately, you'll find that path as soon as you put that brush (or stylus) onto the canvas and start laying down lines.

[@nixant4539]

Mark Morales, coincidence, I think not

[@JacksonTaylorandTheSinners]

I love how respectful you are the mighty Wrightson. 🫡 Love your work thanks for making This video.

[@realamericannegro977]

Incredible stuff

[@fearlessAx]

What's the green book he pulled out with all the different art inside?

[@waltlikka]

I’ve been drawing since I was a kid. It is so cool that these videos are available for anyone to see. Mark Morales is a master & his tips are invaluable.

[@aguilartist]

Every time I see Bernie Wrightson’s ink illustrations I feel such pain in my hand and fingers it’s outstanding the amount of details 🤯🤯.

[@lord_iizen]

Hey man teach me realistic drawings 😉

[@thedouble1269]

it’s amazing listening to someone so passionate about what they do

[@ኃጢአተኛነፍስህከመዳንበላ]

Your icon LOL

[@d4darwin458]

That Frankenstein book is pretty insane, like damn🤩

[@jayedwin98020]

How was Bernie Wrightson able to make a living, if his ink drawings would take him so long to complete?

[@ProkoTV]

Every artists has to find their path, mixing time out into work versus how much they get paid for a job. His work was well-regarded so he could command a good price. But it's hard to get to that spot early in your career.

[@KillerTacos54]

Mark Morales is such a legend

[@daklr2501]

oh my GOD Frankenstein! I absolutely love the illustrations in that story, they make me melt! The monster is tall, scary, long-haired, and absolutely SHREDDED! He is so awesome!

[@aprendomasaqui]

Thanks so much for this! What book are you looking at by the way?

[@JustAGuySlayingDragons]

How is that Frankenstein inking even possible...?

[@IvanValladaresGzlz]

Which is the second book Marks used in the video?

[@ProkoTV]

Marvel Covers, Artist's Edition from 2018. The one with Hulk on the cover

[@IvanValladaresGzlz]

@@ProkoTV Thank you very much for the answer!. I'll look for buying that book! 👍👍👍

[@kelvinpoetra]

Does the screentone on manga or comic images use manual or digital in today's era?; I see that screentones on manga are also expensive if you buy them imported

[@ProkoTV]

Depends on the artist and their preference. There are plenty who still do it traditionally and others who will mix traditional ink with digital screentone. The main artists who uses it in this course, Daniel Warren Johnson, he uses physical screentones so that the final work is on the page. And he can sell that original art.

[@steveis33]

I found Bernie used different nibs sizes

[@fandeandreaarruti]

So practice with a lot of references. Okay. On it.

[@reinaldobatistadasilva1781]

Very niceeeeee

[@weeverob]

Great work! One of my favorite artists is Charles Burns.

[@davidensinger4175]

The question is whether it's necessary to draw in such detail? If we look at Japanese manga like One Punch Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, or Chainsaw Man, their comic sales are exponentially higher than the sales of American superhero comics, and those manga aren't as detailed. From this, it can be inferred that readers don't even want it.

[@ProkoTV]

That's not a 1:1 comparison. This isn't saying this is how something has to be done. But detail level does not correlate to sales in a positive or negative. It's about storytelling in every industry. Not all manga is simple and not all western comics are complex. Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo is a great series but it doesn't outsell every western comic.

[@shawn.m.schmidt]

What books was Mark looking through in this video?

[@ProkoTV]

You can see the credit s for each book he's looking at in the bottom left corner of the screen as each new book is introduced. Between credits show, it will be more pages from the last book credited.

[@shawn.m.schmidt]

@@ProkoTV I see the credits, however Mark is looking at a green and white book with book marks. Is that maybe just a portofolio book?

[@ProkoTV]

@@shawn.m.schmidt The physical books he's holding here are an older edition of Bernie Wrightson's Frankenstein and IDW's Marvel Covers Artist's Edition. That second one is the green and white book you mentioned. For some of the images shown as he's actually working, those are pulled images as example of the techniques and are not included in those books.

[@shawn.m.schmidt]

@@ProkoTV thanks. Allways looking out for reference books to add to my library.

[@TheWetPony]

Excellent video! May I ask what book were you showing examples from?

[@ProkoTV]

Bernie's Wrightson's Frankenstein

[@zafirwashere6845]

early

[@Anonymouscommentor99]

This is so excellent. I learned a ton. Fantastic tips and great technique. ❤❤❤