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.