Artist inks explained

What are Artist inks?

Acrylic based - pigment in a fluid resin, that binds to the surface and are therefore waterproof, permanent and lightfast. These are very fluid acrylics, that allow a lot of flexibility in technique. Can be applied as opaque or diluted to watercolours. Different colours within a brand are intermixable. Use with dip pen, technical pen, airbrush, stamps, cheap paint brush or drop, drip, drizzle directly onto paper or into water for a bit of visual fun. When dry, will maintain the glossy, wet opaque look of acrylic paint.  See DALER-ROWNEY FW Acrylic Ink and DALER-ROWNEY Calli Ink, the later with flow optimised for calligraphy pen strokes. Acrylic inks are not suitable for fountain pens.

India ink - an ancient ink based on carbon black, which is made from ash. Well known in the black form, but also available in coloured forms. Often combined with shellac to improve binding to the paper fibres. Can be water-proof or not, depending on the binder. For illustration, comics, sketching, calligraphy and can use be diluted for watercolour. Use with a dip pen, cheap brush. Not suitable for fountain pens. We favour the brush pen format for bullet journalling or travel sketching, that lasts long and is easy to take anywhere - FABER CASTELL Pitt Artist Pens.

Water based pigment ink - stunning colours, that can be layered or blended while wet and dry to a water resistant, often translucent, layer. Pigment component provides a high level of light fastness compared to a dye. See DALER-ROWNEY Aquafine Watercolour Inks which can be intermixed, used with eyedropper provided, in paint markers, technical pens, airbrushes or applied with a cheap paint brush. Not suitable for fountain pens, unless made with tiny pigments particles (nanoparticles), like DE ATRAMENTIS Document Inks.

Water based dye - every ink type has its advantage and for water based dyes, it is the ability to blend colours together. Dyes are fun to use, but not lightfast, so best in sketchbooks that can be closed to the effects of light. The best brands are the Japanese made brush pens, which provide line variation under pressure, including TOMBOW ABT Dual Brushes, SAKURA Koi Watercolour Markerand the delicate brush tipped AKAYSHIYA.

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