An image processing apparatus and method for processing color image signals is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first judgment unit for judging whether a pixel of interest belongs to a black line image portion, and outputting a first judgment signal indicating a judgment result, a second judgment unit for judging whether pixels in the vicinity of the pixel of interest belong to a black line image potion, and outputting a second judgment signal indicating a judgment result, and a control unit for controlling recording of the pixel of interest based on the first and second judgment signals outputted from the first and second judgment units. With the apparatus, black lines in a color image are satisfactorily reproduced.