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.