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.

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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.

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Publishing - John Birchall, Alex Otis

Music Used with Permission from the ABC Music Library

[brycetheoddball]

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

[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.

[RogerioPereiradaSilva]

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!

[margett__]

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

[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.

[thedouble]

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

[warneres-cool]

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

[daklr]

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!

[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 🤯🤯.

[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!

[tylerrichlen]

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.

[danlewis]

Inking is it's own art form. Each penciler will give more or less rendering information and the story and characters will help to communicate the needed tone. The inker then has to choose what effects to include and what areas to bring forward and what should be recessed in order to achieve this. Inkers are also required to do a great deal of planning and preparation in order to do this. They are artists every bit as much as pencilers.

Bernie Wrightson is, in my opinion, the absolute greatest to ever do it.

[fandeandreaarruti]

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

[Pyth]

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.

[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.

[ddarwin]

That Frankenstein book is pretty insane, like damn🤩

[darthstryk]

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.

[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!

[Robd]

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

[greekveteran]

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.