Why Comic Artists Stick to Black and White: It’s Bulletproof for a Reason

Struggling with muddy colors and messy lines in your comics? Learn why working in pure black and white is a pro’s tip for cleaner scans, easier coloring, and professional-looking final pages.

Why We Work in Black and White

If you’ve ever wondered why so many comic artists still work in black and white, it’s not just an old-school tradition—it’s a pragmatic choice that happens to be rooted in the history of comics and printmaking. Working in black and white comes from the days of etching and printmaking when artists mastered hatching (parallel lines) and stippling (dot patterns) to create depth and texture. This classic skillset is still valuable. Working in Black and White makes artwork cleaner, scanning easier, and digital coloring smoother.

Why Black and White Makes Things Easier

1. Easier Scanning: Pure black ink on white paper scans better than gray tones. Scanners pick up clean, sharp lines when you stick to solid blacks, making your artwork easier to digitize and process.

2. Easier Coloring: Starting with black and white makes coloring straightforward. Adding colors to gray tones can be a nightmare because the grays interfere, creating muddy or dull colors. With black and white, colors integrate smoothly without unexpected issues. You knock the black out of the color, so the contrast pops. It’s a great effect.

3. “Noir” The Option to Stay Black and White: If you choose not to color your comic, black-and-white art is already print-ready. Stylish and retro, right? This option is perfect for artists who want to stick to classic black-and-white styles or save on printing costs.

Technical Considerations: Paper, Ink, and Climate

Different paper types, inks, and even climate conditions affect how ink behaves on paper. You introduce more variability when you use more ink (like when mixing colors or layering grays). The ink spreads differently based on the paper’s texture and how much moisture is in the air. With black and white, you reduce this variability, making your art more consistent regardless of the conditions.

What Other Comic Pros Say

Comic book pros like Brian Bendis and Mike Mignola emphasize mastering black-and-white art. They argue that working in black and white teaches artists essential skills in contrast, composition, and clarity, which are the building blocks of good storytelling. Jim Lee, a master of intricate hatching and inking, shows that a strong black-and-white piece can stand alone, even before color is added.

Tips for Working in Black and White

1. Master Hatching and Stippling: Use hatching (lines) and stippling (dots) to create texture and depth without relying on colors. These techniques come from traditional printmaking and give your work a timeless look. I’m no master here. Steve Walker, artist on Battle of Blood & Ink, who teaches at Art Students League, is. Take his class if you live in NYC area. See resources below if you don’t.

2. Focus on Contrast: Since you’re working without color, contrast (the difference between light and dark areas) becomes crucial. Make sure your blacks are solid, and your whites are clean to keep your art looking sharp.

3. Test Paper and Ink: If you plan to ink your work, experiment with different papers and inks to see how they react. Find a combination that produces the cleanest lines and the least ink spread, especially under various conditions. Different printers use different combinations.

4. Scan in High Contrast: When digitizing your work, scan at high contrast settings to capture clean black lines and reduce noise from paper texture or smudges.

Working in black and white isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a smart method that makes scanning, coloring, and printing easier. It also forces you to tackle contrast and texture. Your inking skills will evolve and flourish. Explore the resources below and watch your black-and-white art come to life!

Digital Colors Came Easy Once I’d Drawn Clean Black-and-White

Hope this explains a bit about our comics process.

Charles Merritt Houghton

10 October 2024

Resources for Inking Techniques

1. "Framed Ink: Drawing and Composition for Visual Storytellers" by Marcos Mateu-Mestre: While not strictly an inking manual, this book covers the essential principles of storytelling and composition in black and white, making it highly valuable for artists looking to enhance their inking skills.

2. "The DC Comics Guide to Inking Comics" by Klaus Janson: This classic resource provides detailed instructions on inking, focusing on using ink to create mood, texture, and clarity in comic art.

3. "Rendering in Pen and Ink: The Classic Book On Pen and Ink Techniques for Artists, Illustrators, Architects, and Designers" by Arthur L. Guptill: A timeless resource on pen and ink drawing, covering a wide range of techniques from line work to creating texture, depth, and form.

4. YouTube Channels: Watch channels like David Finch and Proko for video tutorials on inking techniques, tools, and styles. These channels provide practical demonstrations that can supplement the techniques described in books.