Let’s spend some time today talking about inks. And no, I don’t mean the Parker ink you used in your school pen {I hope I didn’t just give me age away with that comment!}. We are going to focus on three types of ink: drawing {or India ink}, acrylic ink, and Inktense pencils.
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Drawing ink
But, inks are wonderful – you can mix them in a spray bottle with some water to make your own spray mists; use them with a dip pen to do line work and calligraphy; create washes, drips and splatters…If you don’t want to break the bank to buy some of these, I would recommend that you try a box of Camel Colored Drawing Ink. Though it is available in far fewer colors, it works just like the Bombay India Inks, and like them, is waterproof once dry.
Note: Do not use these in a fountain pen – it will clog up the nib and ruin it!
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Acrylic ink
Jokes apart, these are highly-pigmented, extremely fluid acrylic paints that dry quickly, are permanent and water resistant. The colors are really vibrant, and a little bit goes a long way. You can use it to create drips, and the colors remain vivid even after you spray them with water to make them run down the page.
You can also use inks as a glaze over your painting. 2-3 drops of ink plus a wet brush, et viola! I particularly love doing this with the yellow ink to instantly boost the warmth of the image.
You could also fill these into a water brush and use them for fine line work and lettering. This is also a great way to carry them along when you’re traveling.
Note: For this purpose, you will need Liquitex acrylic inks, which are non-clogging. The Daler-Rowney FW Ink will clog up your water brush.
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Wondering why pencils make it into a discussion on ink? Because these are no ordinary pencils. These are ink pencils! What that means is – you use them like color pencils, go over them with a wet brush to dissolve them {like you would with watercolor pencils}, and once dry, unlike watercolor pencils, they’re permanent! These colors are quite vibrant, and being in pencil form, they are very versatile.
Fine lines and delicate shading are a breeze because you can be very precise with where you put the color. You can also lift some off with an eraser if it “goes outside the lines”. If you scrape some of the color off with a blade, you can put it in a spray bottle, mix some water, and you have yourself some sprays!
They are somewhat pricey, but they do make an excellent addition to your art journal stash.
Note: these are available as pencils and blocks. Both do exactly the same things.
Put this lesson to work: Create an inky background with acrylic and/or India inks. Or use your Inktense pencils to create a monochromatic art journal page.
I want to make this immediately ?
Loved the knowledge on inks ☺☺
And the picture sketch you are incredible in it ☺☺
@dixita011 from
Cafenined words
Thank you Dixu! And do share a picture of what you make!!
Thank you:-)
Hrhe I need to first collect these inks 😉
lol
Such a fabulous post. Was the online course worth it? Are you in Delhi? Why don’t you organise a few short classes yourself? 😀
I’m not sure which online course you’re referring to? I’ve taken quite a few, so if you tell me which one I can give you a review. 🙂
Yes, I am in Delhi. I would love to teach art journaling, but I don’t know where to start! Any inputs/ideas would be more than welcome. 🙂
Lodhi Garden? Open space under a tree? Great spot to make quick sketches of what lies around us.
Yes…and inspiring to be out in nature too … peaceful
Oh please count me In ! I never knew art journaling would be this vast a subject and you are certainly a pro at it .. If your posts are indicative of even an iota of your expertise( and your patience & love for the craft ) You’d make a spectacular teacher 🙂
Thank you!! I’m flattered!! 🙂
Wow! Never knew these existed! Getting wiser and more knowledgeable with each post of yours. Waiting for the next post!
@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
Yay! I’m happy to know you’re eager for more!!
Wow… never heard about them before. Thanks for introducing to them 🙂
You’re very welcome! 🙂
looking at painting I was always left wanting to know what pen or ink they would be using and here I have all my answers, thanks for sharing 🙂
😀 You’re welcome!!
This is new to me! Thanks for the information. These inks sound really useful to painters and artists. by the way… can they be used to .. .write?? 😉
@yenforblue from
Spice of Life!
hahhaha! Yes of course they can!! Just don’t fill any of them in a fountain pen. Use a dip pen.
Okay. Honestly, I’d never even heard of half of these names much less actually use them 🙂 Your post is really informative, showed it to my ink loving husband, he sends his compliments 🙂
Thank you! *takes a bow*
Just remember what I said about not using these with fountain pens. Use them with dip pens or brush pens.
It would be fun to play with the inks and the pencils.
Oh it is a lot of fun. Do try!!
Wow! Your posts makes me fall in love with art journalling more and more. Brilliant piece of info added. 🙂
That makes me so happy!! 🙂
Wow! I’m glab I came across your post! Art journalling is very interesting! Would love to give it a try. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
I’m so glad to have inspired you to start art journaling!!
wow! ink paints are on my wish list now 🙂
Make sure you pick up acrylic inks. They’re super fun – so many lightbulbs went off for me when I started using them. 🙂