There are waterproof coloured inks that, usually having a shellac base, will dry with a slightly glossy look and non-waterproof ones that have the appearance of diluted watercolour and dry to a matt finish. The name, therefore, may come from the area where the Shellac is collected or because the Chinese ink that it derives from was given this misnomer by the Europeans when they began to import it via the Indies.Ĭoloured Drawing Ink applied with brush or Dip PenĬoloured Drawing Inks are made in a slightly different way using dyes in a binder so, although offering a brilliance and translucency to Artwork, they will usually fade over time. Shellac – a resin secreted by the female Lac Bug on trees in India and Thailand – makes the ink waterproof when dry so that washes of coloured ink or watercolour can be applied over it. The name 'Indian Ink' is given to black ink that shares similarities with these traditional inks and has shellac as a binder. Kuretake Sumi Ink shown applied with Menso Brush

Traditionally, this type of ink was dried and moulded into sticks but, nowadays, can be often found in a liquid form as Sumi or Liquid Indian Ink. The Roman ‘atramentum’, the Chinese Ink Sticks and the Japanese Sumi Ink all start with the burning of organic matter to achieve a very dark carbon or ‘lamp’ black which is then mixed with a natural gum and resin to bind it together. The acrylic paint is thicker in consistency but both ink and paint can be diluted with water and mixed or used in a layering effect.Dip Pens Sepia Drawing Ink and a range of Dip Pensįor over 2000 years, Ink has been used as a drawing media and has been made in a similar way over time, cultures and continents. Ink works well with acrylics, especially if you choose an acrylic based ink. You can also go in with fine liners or dip pens, in order to add more details. Once your image is dry, you can build layers to this process by adding more ink or more watercolours until you are happy. If you spray the ink while it’s still wet, the line separates into lovely marks depending on the texture of paper you use. Paint your watercolour image first and draw with ink to sharpen your marks and your focus. This can create an unpredictable and interesting combination of colours and texture as they react with each other.ĭraw an image with ink and wait until it’s dry before painting, resulting in strong lines. However, if you like stronger lines, try using a bamboo stick or twig and a bottle of fluid ink to draw with, and combine this with watercolours in any number of ways:ĭraw with ink and immediately paint with watercolours, wet in wet style.

Traditionally ink and watercolour describe a combination of drawing with a pen and then painting with watercolour, sometimes in a loose style. Mixing Ink and WatercoloursĬombining ink and watercolours can be a very creative process. Toolsīrushes, bamboo pens, twigs, spatulas and dip pens all work well with ink, as well as any other tools you might like to try. All acrylic inks are intermixable regardless of brand name. They are easy to use, pigment based and thus lightfast, and dries permanent. Dye based inks have good colours but are less permanent, and the pigmented acrylic inks are more lightfast.įor painting I prefer to use acrylic based inks. Some artists make their own inks with local and found materials, often using gum arabic as a binder.Ĭolours in inks are either made from dyes or pigments. Water based inks use binders such as gum arabic or shellac and do not always dry fully waterproof.They have strong colours but are less lightfast and do not mix well with other inks. Alcohol based inks are mixed with dye and can be diluted or reawakened with alcohol.Acrylic based inks are basically a very fluid paint, and is mixed with pigments.Oil based inks are usually used for printmaking.The base for making inks can be oil, alcohol, gum arabic or acrylic. The main choices to make here are what pens you like to work with, and if the ink is waterproof or not.įor painting and artwork there is a vast assortment of black and coloured inks on the market. Pens holding ink, such as fine liners, fude pens and fountain pens are normally used for drawing and sketching. Inks come in many different forms depending on how you want to use it. It’s easy to use and offers many options for experimenting with colours, shapes and textures. Ink can be an exciting addition to your drawing and painting practice.

India ink vs acrylic ink