5 Essential Comic Inking Brushes for Procreate: A Guide for Beginners

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 19 June 2023 5 min read

As a beginner in the world of digital comic art, finding the right tools can make a huge difference in your work. Procreate is a powerful tool for artists, and choosing the right comic inking brushes can help you create professional-looking comic art. In this guide, we'll introduce you to five essential comic inking brushes for Procreate that every beginner should know. Let's get started!

1. The Studio Pen Brush

The Studio Pen Brush is a versatile and popular choice among comic artists. With its pressure-sensitive strokes and smooth finish, it's perfect for creating clean and crisp lines in your comic inking work.

Techniques with the Studio Pen

Here are a few techniques you can use with the Studio Pen Brush in Procreate:

Tapered lines: Apply varying pressure to your strokes for tapered lines that give your artwork a dynamic look.
Line weight variation: Adjust your brush size to create lines with different weights, adding depth to your comic inking.
Smooth curves: Use a steady hand or the streamline feature in Procreate to create smooth, flowing curves.

Examples of Studio Pen Inking

The Studio Pen Brush is great for various comic inking styles, such as:

Traditional comic inking: Emulate the look of classic comic book art with clean, bold lines and high contrast.
Manga-style artwork: Achieve the precise and detailed line work popular in Japanese manga comics.
Character outlines: Use the Studio Pen Brush to create clear, defined outlines for characters in your comic inking work.

With its versatility and ease of use, the Studio Pen Brush is an excellent choice for beginners looking to improve their comic inking skills in Procreate.

2. The Inking Brush

Moving on to the Inking Brush, this is another fantastic option for comic artists using Procreate. This brush offers a more textured look, adding an organic feel to your inking work that can mimic traditional pen and ink.

Techniques with the Inking Brush

Here are a few techniques to keep in mind when using the Inking Brush in Procreate:

Textured strokes: Use the Inking Brush to create textured lines that resemble traditional ink on paper.
Pressure sensitivity: Experiment with different pressure levels to achieve a range of line thicknesses and textures.
Layering strokes: Build up your inking by layering strokes, adding depth and richness to your comic art.

Examples of Inking Brush Artwork

The Inking Brush can be used in various comic inking styles, such as:

Realistic comic art: Use the Inking Brush to create detailed, lifelike textures for a more realistic comic style.
Illustrative artwork: Add a hand-drawn feel to your comic inking with the textured strokes of the Inking Brush.
Environmental inking: Enhance your comic backgrounds with natural-looking textures and organic lines.

For those wanting to add a touch of traditional pen and ink to their digital comic art, the Inking Brush is an excellent choice for your Procreate toolkit.

3. The Dry Ink Brush

Let's explore the Dry Ink Brush, another popular choice among comic artists using Procreate. This brush creates a unique, slightly rough texture that simulates the look of dry ink on paper, giving your artwork a vintage and gritty feel.

Techniques with the Dry Ink Brush

When working with the Dry Ink Brush, consider these techniques:

Varied textures: Use the Dry Ink Brush to create a range of textures, from subtle to bold, by adjusting the brush size and pressure.
Stippling: Apply the Dry Ink Brush with a tapping motion to create a stippled effect, adding depth and interest to your comic art.
Blending: Combine the Dry Ink Brush with other brushes to create a unique blend of textures and styles in your inking work.

Examples of Dry Ink Inking

Here are some ways the Dry Ink Brush can enhance your comic inking in Procreate:

Retro comic art: Use the Dry Ink Brush to achieve a vintage, worn-in look, perfect for retro or noir-style comics.
Textured shading: Apply the Dry Ink Brush to create interesting shading effects, adding depth and dimension to your characters and scenes.
Dynamic line work: Experiment with the Dry Ink Brush to create expressive, lively lines that bring energy to your comic art.

For those seeking a more vintage and textured look in their comic inking, the Dry Ink Brush is a fantastic addition to your Procreate brush collection.

4. The Narinder Pencil Brush

Next up is the Narinder Pencil Brush, a versatile tool favored by comic artists for its ability to mimic the feel of a traditional pencil. This brush is ideal for sketching and inking, adding a natural, organic touch to your Procreate comic art.

Techniques with the Narinder Pencil

When using the Narinder Pencil Brush, keep these techniques in mind:

Light sketching: With low pressure, use the Narinder Pencil Brush to create faint lines for initial sketches and layouts.
Pressure sensitivity: Adjust the pressure applied to the brush to control line thickness, allowing for precise and expressive inking.
Layering: Build up layers of pencil strokes to add depth and detail to your comic inking work in Procreate.

Examples of Narinder Pencil Inking

Here are some ways the Narinder Pencil Brush can elevate your comic inking in Procreate:

Organic lines: Use the Narinder Pencil Brush to create natural, free-flowing lines that add character to your comic art.
Sketchy style: Embrace the sketch-like quality of the Narinder Pencil to create a loose, spontaneous feel in your inking.
Detail work: Take advantage of the Narinder Pencil Brush's precision to add intricate details, such as hair, facial features, or textures.

The Narinder Pencil Brush is a must-have for artists seeking a more organic and natural feel in their comic inking work in Procreate.

5. The Technical Pen Brush

Last but not least, we have the Technical Pen Brush. This brush is perfect for artists who want crisp, clean lines and consistent strokes in their comic inking work in Procreate. The Technical Pen Brush offers precision and control, making it a popular choice among comic artists for its versatility and adaptability.

Techniques with the Technical Pen

When using the Technical Pen Brush, keep these techniques in mind:

Consistent lines: The Technical Pen Brush is known for its uniform strokes — perfect for creating clean, precise lines in your comic inking work.
Pressure control: Adjust the pressure applied to the brush to create thicker or thinner lines, allowing for a wide range of artistic expression.
Steady hand: Practice a steady hand when using the Technical Pen Brush to achieve even, consistent strokes in your Procreate comic art.

Examples of Technical Pen Inking

Here are some ways the Technical Pen Brush can enhance your comic inking in Procreate:

Clean artwork: Use the Technical Pen Brush to create artwork with a polished, professional look, free of stray marks or smudges.
Sharp details: The precision of the Technical Pen Brush makes it perfect for adding sharp, intricate details to your comic art, such as lettering or architectural elements.
Varied line weights: Experiment with different pressure levels to create a range of line weights, adding depth and dimension to your comic inking work.

The Technical Pen Brush is an essential tool for comic artists looking for precision and control in their Procreate inking projects.

If you're looking to enhance your animation skills using Procreate and Photoshop, don't miss the workshop 'Animating with Procreate and Photoshop' by Nyanza. This comprehensive workshop will teach you the ins and outs of animation, providing you with the knowledge and techniques needed to bring your creative ideas to life.