Kinds of Ink: India, Acrylic, Watercolor, Calligraphy, Inktense

If you are new to the art medium ink, you may not know there are different kinds of ink you can buy. Below are descriptions of inks you might encounter in the art supply store:

 India Ink:  India ink is a colored ink that was once used for writing, printing, and artwork (think Sumi-e paintings in China and Japan) and is now more commonly used for comics and graphic novels. Like traditional watercolors, India ink is transparent. An advantage to using India ink over traditional watercolors is that it dries quickly, is waterproof, and is more brilliant in color. Most India inks typically do not become activated when it comes into contact with water. (Note the use of the word most in the previous sentence. I have used some India ink pens that smudged and activated with water once they were dry.) India ink can be sold in bottles, pens, markers, and sticks.

 Acrylic Ink: Acrylic inks are made with fine art pigments. Acrylic inks are semi-opaque or opaque. Unlike acrylic paint or gouache solid in tubes, acrylic inks can become transparent and semi-opaque contingent on how much you dilute them. Acrylic inks, like acrylic paints, dry very quickly. Once dry, acrylic ink does not become activated when it comes in contact with water or another layer of acrylic ink. Acrylic ink can be sold in bottles, pens, or markers.

 Watercolor Ink: You may be asking yourself, at this point, what exactly is the difference between watercolor ink and traditional watercolors. Watercolor ink is a solution of dyes and pigments. Traditional watercolors are a mix of pigments, binders, and additives. Unlike India ink or acrylic ink, watercolor ink is transparent and will become activated once it comes in contact with water- even if it is dry. Note: I have only seen watercolor ink sold in bottles.

Calligraphy Ink: I’ve steered clear of calligraphy ink- assuming it was just for calligraphy. After some rigorous googling, there appears to be two mindsets with regard to calligraphy ink. There is one camp that believes calligraphy ink and India ink are one and the same. The other camp believes calligraphy ink should only be used for calligraphy and India ink is a poor substitute. Sumi (black) ink is made from kneading animal glue and soot that is produced by burning oil or pinewoods. Sumi ink is traditionally used for calligraphy and Japanese brush painting. Calligraphy ink may come in bottles or sticks. 

Walnut Ink: A natural alternative, walnut ink is a water-based made from the green husk surrounding the nut of walnuts. Walnut ink is lightfast but is not waterproof and may behave more like watercolor than India ink or acrylic ink. Generally, it is not Walnut ink comes in two colors- black or brown ink. It may be used for writing (calligraphy), painting, or on fabrics. You can buy this already made or make your own!

Inktense: Thought I would throw this Derwent product into the mix. Derwent makes water soluble pencils, sticks, and pans called Inktense. Inktense products distinguish themselves from Derwent’s watercolor pencils in that Inktense gives the artist’s work more vibrant colors. Inktense is a great option if you are on vacation or doing some outdoor plein air. Inktense can also be used on fabrics. (I’ve never tried this but it looks every interesting.) Inktense can be bought in pencils, sticks, and pans.