A Guide to Inks: Types, Tools & Techniques for Artists

Inks are a versatile medium prized for their bold lines, rich washes, and expressive mark-making. Whether you're illustrating, lettering, or experimenting with mixed media, understanding the different types of ink and how to use them can open up a world of creative possibilities.

What Is Ink Made Of?

Most inks consist of pigments or dyes suspended in a liquid base—usually water—with a binder that affects texture, sheen, and drying time.

Pigmented Inks

• Made from finely ground solid particles

• Water-resistant, smudge-proof, and fade-resistant

• Ideal for permanent artwork and archival use

Dye-Based Inks

• Offer vibrant, brilliant colors

• Less lightfast—colors may fade over time

• Best for temporary pieces or non-archival illustration

Inks may dry with a matte or glossy finish, depending on the binder (often shellac), and can be opaque or transparent. Many types are intermixable, allowing for custom colors and layered tonal effects.

Types of Drawing Inks

India Ink / Indian Ink

A popular black ink used in pen and brush drawing, calligraphy, and illustration. It’s often pigmented and dries waterproof. Some formulas are shellac-based, which adds gloss and quick-drying properties.

Sepia Ink

Originally made from squid ink sacs, sepia was a favorite among 18th-century European artists. Today’s versions are synthetic but retain that classic brown tone perfect for warm-toned sketches and vintage styles.

Acrylic Ink

These water-based inks are made with acrylic polymer and pigment, offering vivid colors, permanence, and flexibility on many surfaces. They’re great for mixed media and airbrush applications.

Tools for Using Ink

Inks can be applied with a variety of tools, each offering unique results:

• Dip Pens & Nib Pens – Great for controlled lines, hatching, and calligraphy

• Brushes – Perfect for expressive strokes, washes, and drybrush effects

• Technical Pens – Refillable or cartridge-based pens designed for precision drawing

• Fountain Pens – Good for continuous line work, sketching, and lettering

• Airbrushes – Used with specially formulated inks for smooth gradients and fine detail

Always clean tools immediately after use—dried ink is difficult to remove and can ruin brushes or clog pen nibs.

Inks for Technical Pens: What to Watch For

Technical pens require specific inks to avoid clogging or flooding:

• Use only compatible ink cartridges or approved filler bottles

• Avoid shellac-heavy inks unless labeled safe for technical pens

• Choose quick-drying, free-flowing inks with good adhesion

• Avoid water-based dyes with low viscosity—they may bleed too quickly

Tonal & Textural Effects with Ink

Ink isn’t limited to bold lines—its versatility shines in texture and shading. Here are just a few techniques:

• Ink into Water – Soft diffusion, great for atmospheric effects

• Drybrush – Dragging a nearly dry brush for scratchy textures

• Crosshatching – Build tone with layered lines on dry or wet surfaces

• Stippling – Use technical or dip pens for controlled dotting

• Continuous Line Drawing – Great for expressive sketches with a fountain pen

• Diluted Ink Washes – Create tone by thinning ink with water

Experiment with different tools and papers to explore how ink behaves across textures and absorbencies.

A Brief History of Ink

Did you know ink has been around for over 4,000 years? Ancient Chinese artists developed lamp black ink by mixing soot from burning oil with resin and tree gum. This early formula became the basis for many of the rich black inks used in traditional brush painting and calligraphy today.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're working on precise architectural drawings or loose, expressive sketches, inks are a powerful and adaptable medium. Understanding the differences between dye and pigment, the importance of proper tools, and the wide range of textures you can create will help you get the most out of every bottle.