Inkwell Awards Changing Host Show Location from HeroesCon to the Great Philadelphia Comic Con!
The non-profit Inkwell Awards, the only organization devoted to promoting the art of comic book inking, announces its fourth annual Sinnott Inking Challenge Spotlight focusing on the pencil art of a legendary comics creator. This year features artist David Finch‘s take on DC‘s iconic Batman. The artwork will be auctioned afterwards for fundraising.
“With the ongoing success of our original Joe Sinnott Challenge, we expanded the program to include the Spotlight Challenge in 2015, with even better results,” said Bob Almond, founder and director of The Inkwell Awards (AKA “The Inkwells”). “For this event, we showcase other contemporary, fan-favorite talents on a more limited scale with veteran published inkers who may or may not have participated in other challenges. Our last three pencillers included Jim Lee, Neal Adams and Erik Larsen.”
The original Joe Sinnott Challenge, which features pencils by the inking legend inked by various professionals, semi-professionals and amateur inkers, began in 2010 but is being postponed for next year due to scheduling reasons. “Our annual Inkwell Awards show has been moved up two months due to a venue change and Joe’s own schedule is full so we thought it best to take a break,” said Almond. “Plus it gives us more time to focus on the Spotlight.”
The Challenge Spotlight furthers the inking advocacy’s dual mission of promoting the artform and educating the public. Blue-lined art boards featuring a tightly pencilled David Finch Batman pinup will be sent to just 24 artists to finish and/or embellish in ink.
Each inked page will be signed by Finch and the inker, and include a certificate of authenticity signed and numbered by Almond. All pages will then be auctioned off at a later date as a fundraiser. Fans will be able to see the difference in the penciled and inked versions to better understand how much inkers contribute to the artform.
The list of participating inkers will be named later. “On behalf of the Inkwells,” said Almond, “our kindest thanks to DC, David and all involved for their cooperation, support of our program, and appreciation of ink artists.”
The Inkwell Awards is the only official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and educate regarding the art form of comic-book inking, as well as annually recognize the best ink artists and their work. Established in 2008, the Inkwells are overseen by a volunteer committee of industry professionals and assisted by various professional ambassadors and contributors. They sponsor the Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Kubert School and host the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award.
