Traditional Art Ink ink ink!

So i got myself a few inks but i am really scared of using them, so i need some help deciding on whether or not one of my first victims should be this

Spoiler

or should i just let it be?
And yes. My scanner is incapable of taking a decent pic.

I tried the black ink on a random sketch i did in a few secs and it looks really good, but since the cloak is more detailed i am worried, i am not sure if i can find a way to draw the wrinkles on the fabric if everything is painted black, unless i start playing with colouring/shadowing effects.

 

With the wrinkles you just don't paint them black, you should leave them blank, it may look a bit shiny but it's better than nothing. Alternatively I would use dotting, like the thicker the dots the more black it looks, it gives shading when using a medium such as ink. I would test on a piece that you aren't scared of ruining as well, the Harry Potter picture is very good and if you are just practicing then things can get messed up although it does seem like a good one to start with due to the amount of black.

 

Interesting, i might try those two though i am not sure if Mr. Potter will be my guinea pig. Anyway i tried the black ink on a really old Yugioh sketch which was already messed up - well anatomically speaking at least. Inked half of it so i can see the difference. Well at least it looks definetely more polished but black isn't right for shading. I thing i might stay on pencils, they are more versatile.

Spoiler

 

that one seems a lot more acurate. The eyes are strangely out of alignment, and the face seems a bit off, but other than that, it's pretty good. The shading is great, but the duel disk and cards...why are they so clear?

 

Whoo! Ink! :3
Um, first off, you are so not alone with the whole scanner problem. My scanner's pretty much a witch too.

Anyway, I think you shouldn't be too scared on inking. Just do it! You learn best from yourself, so if you keep practicing you'll learn what to do, what you're comfortable with, and what you won't probably be doing again! The only way you can get comfortable with a new medium is to keep challenging yourself. Start even with just scribbles, then sketches, then try something like this! If you're unsure, you can always ask for advice. You grow as an artist starting with yourself, but others are here to help you out! c:
Aside that foreword, inking can be tricky. Personally, before I ink something I'm unsure about I study the drawing. What do I have here? What do I want to accomplish? In your case, I think you're worry is the cloak? What I would do is research some illustrations online of cloaks, maybe even specifically Hogwarts uniforms and art pieces. I try to take in how they look, how they fall inline with gravity and how their lines can look. I look at various images so I can take in what I want and apply it to the vision of how I want the piece to look like. Then, if I'm satisfied and inspired: I just go for it! And something I learned as a kid is that you can always cover up your mistakes in art. If you accidentally add an extra line here, just cover it by drawing something over or making the line thicker creating a shadow or something - it depends on what you're working with.
And by the way, I like how the Yugio (that's what it's called right? xD) one is looking. Try covering up those little white dots, just go over them lightly and stuff. Also add variety in your lines, create little and maybe subtle shadows with your lines so the piece looks a little 3D-ish or animated. But so far, amazing job. Go for it! And Good luck n___n <3

 

More accurate to what...? As i said, it does have its share of problems, that is why i experiment on it on the first place. I have a full folder of unfinished/ruined sketches.

I do that, i always research before drawing something. I mean, i did a huge research on samurais before trying to draw one. What concern's me about the cloak is how i can keep the shading if i have to ink it black. Ienzo suggested something which i am really thinking of trying out, but most likely will do so at another sketch.

lol, i have become a master at covering mistakes in my drawings and to be honest i also use some of those "techniques" that you mention :p But that doesn't take away the fact that i know it is there even if i fool others.

Anyway, moar ink

Spoiler

I must admit i am having more fun than i thought doing this. I might add the rest of the colours and try to fix as much as it is now possible the problems in this, when i have the time.