Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Bill Sienkiewicz, Comics, entertainment, Inkwell Awards, jim lee, joe Sinnott

The Inkwell Challenge Features Joe Sinnott And Jim Lee

Published Mon, 14 Mar 2016 11:35:15 -0500

Last updated Mon, 14 Mar 2016 11:35:29 -0500

You may have seen some of this in your Facebook or Twitter feeds, but here are the details about the Inkwell Challenge. The Inkwell awards are a non-profit organization devoted to promoting the art of comic book inking. This is the sixth annual Joe Sinnott Inking Challenge and a spin-off challenge that focuses on the pencil work of DC's co-publisher Jim Lee. The results of the challenge are then auctioned off.

The original Inking Challenge program educates the public about inking by having industry legend and Inkwell Special Ambassador Joe Sinnott do a tight pencil of a character (this year, Marvel's Spider Gwen) plus a "breakdown", or rough sketch (Marvel's popular Deadpool). His art is scanned and the file sent in blue-line form to various inkers around the globe to finish and/or embellish in ink.

Ink artists contributing their skills this year include Bill Sienkiewicz, Richard Bonk, Trevor Von Eeden, Joe Orsak, Keith Williams, Mike Barreiro, Ken Branch, Andy Smith, Neil Vokes, John Dell, Bob Wiacek and dozens of others, including members of the Sinnott family. All submitted art may be viewed at The Inkwells' ComicArtFans gallery. All pieces for this challenge are personally signed by Mr. Sinnott and include a certificate of authenticity.

The Challenge Spotlight on Jim Lee program was significantly developed by former committee member Erick Korpi with full authorization from Lee and DC Comics. Much of the recruitment was subsequently carried out by senior contributor Joseph Goulart and finalized by Almond. All pages will be signed by the inkers and most, about two dozen, will be signed by Jim Lee. All will include a COA as well. Submitted pages at press time include those by Joe Sinnott, Bill Sienkiewicz, Klaus Janson, Wade von Grawbadger, Mark McKenna, John Dell, Scott Hanna, Kevin Conrad, Jay Leisten, Andy Smith, Jose Marzan Jr., Brett Breeding, Mike Sellers and Ken Branch. More are expected soon from Bob Wiacek, Mike Lilly, Sean Parsons, Dexter Vines and Walden Wong.

Auctions for the Lee Challenge will begin March 13 on the Inkwells' eBay store, alternating with the Sinnott pages each week or two thereafter. The art will later be collected into book form. Previous book collections in various editions, along with other merchandise, are available for donations to the organization through their Web Store.