Pen And Ink As Drawing Medium

The ink I’m writing about is known as “drawing ink”. This generally describes a fluid medium that comes in colors and is used with pens or brushes to draw or write with. Sepia and blue-blacks continue to have their own appeal, and all of them can be diluted with water to create a range of light-to-dark tones. Drawing inks are versatile and have been used for millennia. Their popularity endures today.

Ink is usually made of water and a coloring agent, plus a binderlike gum. The colors used are either pigments or dyes. Always check product labels for lightfastness if you are selling your work and want it to endure. Another consideration is the compatibility of paper and ink, as well as tool and ink. For instance, thicker papers are good for heavy ink applications and pigment-based ink can clog your fountain pens, thinner inks can be too thin for dip pens.

Dip pens are the simplest form of writing tool and have carved or steel nibs. The most commonly used dip pens are made from bamboo or a plastic base with interchangeable nibs  Use pigment-based inks that won’t clog the nib.

Pigment-Based Ink

Instead of being dissolved in the solution, pigment-based inks have tiny particles of suspended pigment The most widely used pigment ink is India ink (also known as Indian ink or Chinese ink). These inks were traditionally made from lampblack. This black ink is now industrially made by burning creosote, tar, naphthalene, or other petroleum products.

The binder used in India ink is frequently gum-based. Vegan options are available. This often makes this type of  ink waterproof when dry yet can be diluted further when wet to give tonal gradients. They come in a range of colors and are essential if you intend to apply a wash or tint on top of a line drawing. They are denser than non-waterproof inks and dry to a slightly glossy finish that gives the work a precise, painted quality. The shellac that is added to make it waterproof also makes it clog up easily. Be sure to thoroughly clean brushes and pens after using. Never use India ink in fountain pens or technical pens.

Dye-Based Ink

Unlike pigments, dyes dissolve in fluid to give a different type of ink. They contain man-made chemicals that don’t contain shellac and come in a range of colors. The consistency is thinner and slightly sheer, which makes if flow rapidly and dry quickly; avoid flexible or thin nibs to control the flow. They are fine for line drawings as long as you don’t overlay them with washes. Non-water proof inks sink into the paper more and dry to a matte finish. Dye-based inks are favored by book illustrators because of the way the colors scan and print well. 

Other Types of Ink

You may want to explore some of these other kinds of inks to match their qualities to your drawing style. 

Acrylic ink has a very fine pigment mixed with a binder. Use it with a brush or refillable marker pen. 

Watercolor ink is dye-based but, is not lightfast.

Calligraphy ink is a thick pigment ink and is usually used with dip pens or brushes.

Alcohol-based ink is a dye-based colorant dissolved in alcohol. It is a thin ink used mostly in pens.

Chinese ink sticks are a compressed mixture of pigment and glue that is ground with water on a special stone to make ink.

The unique challenge with pen and ink is the permanence of the lines you lay down. An ability to draw is recommended.

As always, happy drawing!