SO....With ink or without ink?

[chrisaakins]

So I am digging this new digital inking over mixed media thing. Which do you think is the more powerful image? I did the original really as a sketchbook drawing a few months ago. I got a lot of positive response and a commision from it so, I am extra pleased with it. But after taking the ink 2.0 course I wanted to practice inking on stuff that had more meaning to me. So I am posting the "with ink" and the "without ink".

[NessIllustration]

The ink definitely makes them pop, and it's also a more... unique style I'd say!

[chrisaakins]

@nessillustration not your style preference, I take it.

[NessIllustration]

@chrisaakins Oh no no, you misunderstood! I was trying to find the right words. I think without the lineart, it looks perhaps a bit more generic, like art you see more often, whereas with the lineart it would be easy to pick out that you did this one because it looks more unique. I'm not sure if this helps you any though, ultimately you have to go with what feels right to you to develop your own style right?

[TessaW]

I like both versions and I think either style is worth continuing. The original looks like it going more toward the fine art spectrum and the inked version looks like it's straying toward a comic book influence.

The inked version has improved his facial expression for the emotional context of what looks like a war scene. I'm not quite sold on the hatching on the shadow areas however. I think hatching could potentially work, but it doesn't feel like you quite have control over how to make that work quite yet. The inked version has also created more emphasis on the end of his sleeve, which is creating a distraction as it looks like he has no hand. Unless the character actually doesn't have a hand?

I think you're good with either version, but it will perhaps appeal to slightly different audiences.

[burvantill]

I prefer the uninked version of this one. I liked the inked version of your Fall lady though.
I agree with @TessaW, too, about it helping the facial features but not so much the body.
She’s so smart. I love it when she critiques, I think we all benefit from it.

[SarahLuAnn]

Both are interesting. The figure definitely pops more in the inked version, but then again in a dusty/smoky scene like this a more hazy look works. I'm definitely used to seeing something that was inked, then colored--It isn't often that I see things that are colored, then inked. If you're liking the inked look, I say just keep playing around with it, see where you end up. When its digital you don't even have to worry about ruining the original, so there really is nothing to lose!

[aska]

@chrisaakins inked version is more dramatic. Its great either way tho

[rcartwright]

I like the un-inked version in the inked version the lines seem to dark to me if they were leaning to a brownish tint it would fit a little better in my opinion, either way it is nice

[cam.royce]

Great piece. I feel like the inked version allows my eye to settle easier than the uninked version, but I also feel like it changes the feel of the piece. (Not in a bad way at all, it's just different)

You could go a little lighter of the ink and just put it around his face/collar. It wont be as dramatic, but would create an easy place for your eye to rest. You could get the best of both worlds-the power of the ink, but feel of the first piece.

Just some thoughts, I hope that made a smidge of sense, haha.

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

Woah! i think your paper took a beating there. Did you use watercolors on this piece?

[chrisaakins]

@nyrrylcadiz I gessoed over a map. Painted abstactly with water color. Drew with pencils, charcoal and prisma colors. I kind of let the background dictate the image. It reminded me of a war scene so I went with it.