Inks have a number of properties which make it an excellent medium to work with. The intense colours and fluidity of ink makes it very similar to watercolour, yet used for various different applications. Inks are versatile, and should be a staple in every artist’s collection. If you’re looking to give the medium a go, here is everything you need to know about check here.
Painting With Ink
Have the right tools ready. Ensure that you have plenty of water nearby for wetting your paper and diluting your colours. Also be sure to have a roll of kitchen towel on hand, which will come in handy when wiping away any excess water. This will also be good for drying your brush in between washing your brush.
Don’t dip straight into the bottle. It’s a good idea, as with any medium, to pre-mix colors in advance just as you would do with paint. With inks, less is more, so starting off with little and building up is best.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try lots of different types of paintbrush and their uses to find out what suits your needs. If you are an absolute beginner to inking, perhaps you’ll find a soft brush works best for you. Have a go with these! These Pro Arte Prolene brushes have everything a beginner could want and need when starting ink painting.
Remember to dilute. Inks can be very strong in color, so do make sure to dilute your inks when you apply them to your base. Remember, you can always build up and add more color later, but you cannot take it away.
Try different types of papers. Do try a selection of different papers to see what is going to work best for you and your style. Watercolor papers work amazingly for ink painting, and if you are feeling that little bit adventurous, maybe traditional Chinese rice paper.