How to Use Indian Drawing Inks: A Beginner’s Guide

How to Use Indian Drawing Inks: A Beginner’s Guide

Jackman’s Indian Drawing Inks are premium-quality, artist-grade inks made with finely milled pigments suspended in a high-performance shellac solution. These inks are fast-drying, water-resistant, and lightfast—perfect for a wide range of artistic applications including illustration, calligraphy, and design.


🧰 What You’ll Need

  • Jackman’s Indian Drawing Inks – available in a wide variety of professional colours
  • Application Tools: brushes, dip pens, or airbrushes
  • Paper – smooth, heavyweight paper or illustration board
  • Distilled Water – for dilution and cleaning (available here)
  • Palette or Mixing Dish
  • Protective Gear – gloves and apron to prevent staining

🖌️ Application Techniques

1. Brush Application

  • Dip your brush directly into the ink and apply to paper.
  • For lighter tones or washes, dilute the ink with distilled water.

2. Dip Pen Drawing

  • Load your dip pen nib with ink and apply varying pressure for different line weights.
  • Ideal for intricate illustrations and fine line work.

3. Airbrush Use

  • Dilute ink to a suitable consistency for your airbrush.
  • Test spray on scrap paper before applying to final work.
  • Ensure proper ventilation while using an airbrush.

🎨 Mixing and Dilution

  • Mix Colours – combine different inks to create custom shades.
  • Control Transparency – use distilled water to achieve desired translucency and flow.

🧼 Cleaning and Maintenance

  • Brushes and Dip Pens – rinse thoroughly with water immediately after use to avoid clogging.
  • Airbrush Equipment – follow the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines for optimal performance.

⚠️ Important Tips

  • Do Not Use in Fountain Pens – shellac-based inks can clog fine nibs.
  • Test First – always test the ink on scrap paper to see how it behaves.
  • Store Properly – keep ink bottles sealed tightly and store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.

🎨 Explore our full range of Artist Pigment Inks at Jackman’s Art Materials.