In the creation of the comic Scars of Seven, the inking process starts with outlining the main characters or focal points in each panel. At this stage, the characters look flat and boring.
Traditional comic inking style or graphic novel illustrations use various techniques to represent gradation of a single color.
Retribution of the dead used primarily a nib pen to create weighted lines over the form of objects to create depth and details.
In the image below you can see that the upper arm of the creature in the background ‘pops’ out and looks like it has form or 3D-like.
These gradient lines begin thin and become thicker closer to the core shadow, while following the form of the object being rendered.
Retribution: Video Games and Comics 