What are some tips and tricks for creating smooth and consistent strokes and fills with ink and paint?

1 Choose the right tools

The quality of your tools can make a big difference in your inking and painting process. You'll need a lightbox, a peg bar, a dip pen, a brush, and some ink and paint. The lightbox will help you see your pencil drawings through the cels, the peg bar will keep them aligned, and the dip pen and brush will give you more control and precision than markers or pens. The ink and paint should be compatible with the cels, and have the right consistency and opacity for your style.

2 Prepare your cels

Before you start inking and painting, you'll need to prepare your cels. First, you'll need to clean them with a soft cloth or tissue to remove any dust or fingerprints. Then, you'll need to trace your pencil drawings onto the cels using the lightbox and the dip pen. You can use different colors of ink for different elements, such as outlines, shadows, or details. Be careful not to smudge or spill the ink, and let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.

3 Apply the paint

The next step is to apply the paint to the cels. You'll need to flip the cels over and paint on the opposite side of the ink, so that the ink lines are visible on top. You can use a brush or a sponge to fill in the areas with color, following the ink lines as guides. You can also mix different colors of paint to create gradients, highlights, or effects. Again, be careful not to smear or spill the paint, and let it dry thoroughly before handling the cels.

4 Check for errors

Once your cels are dry, you'll need to check for errors and fix them if needed. You can use the lightbox to see if there are any gaps, bubbles, or scratches in the ink or paint. You can also compare your cels with your original drawings to see if there are any inconsistencies or mistakes. If you find any errors, you can use a razor blade or a knife to scrape off the ink or paint, and then reapply it with a fine brush or pen.

5 Store your cels

The final step is to store your cels properly to preserve them and prevent damage. You'll need to place each cel in a protective sleeve or envelope, and stack them flat in a box or a folder. You should also label your cels with the scene number, the frame number, and the character name, so that you can easily identify them later. You should avoid exposing your cels to heat, humidity, or sunlight, as they can cause the ink or paint to fade, crack, or peel.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?