Let's talk about India Ink

[Maniah]

So I have been wondering about this stuff.. I hear people mention they use it.. and all I can think of are the pots of ink I used to use in highschool for calligraphy and art class. Apparently, there are now India Ink pens?

So I have picked up here and there some snippits of information...  And I understand that it takes a LONG time to properly dry on the pony, and that you need to gently dab the sealer on over it..

But is this ink from the pen or ink from the pot? Is this how people get such factory perfect lines?

If it is from the pot, doesnt it run all over the place, as thin as it is?

[Lucky4leafclover]

I would not recommend ink from the pots, it is thin and never seems to dry. It doesn't stick as well, either. I use Artist Pitt pens, they come in a variety of different colors and tips from brush to extra super fine. For details and outlintes, especially eyes, they were my go to for years now. If you use them on the pony directly, it takes longer to dry, doing it on top of some painting helps it stick. It is important to remember when using it that it smears easy until it sets for some time, so just be careful. Good luck!

[bagheera86]

I would not recommend ink from the pots, it is thin and never seems to dry. It doesn't stick as well, either. I use Artist Pitt pens, they come in a variety of different colors and tips from brush to extra super fine. For details and outlintes, especially eyes, they were my go to for years now. If you use them on the pony directly, it takes longer to dry, doing it on top of some painting helps it stick. It is important to remember when using it that it smears easy until it sets for some time, so just be careful. Good luck!

how long is sometime and is there a way to speed up the process?

[Maniah]

In my calligraphy class, we used a blow dryer to dry our sheets faster. Would this work on the pony if the heat setting was low enough?

[saply]

You could probably set her under a lamp and have the same effect.


I have to ask though, what are the pros of using India ink versus regular acrylics?

[NoDivision]

For some people using india ink is easier, control wise. Drawing with a pen vs painting fine lines with a paint brush. I actually find it harder to use a pen, I tried on a few ponies, thinknig it would be the best thing ever, and went straight back to a paintbrush after some failures. But everyone's different. It has pros and cons. The drying time is frustrating, and the potential for smudging. It can also stain the pony so if you make msitakes and wait too long to remove it it's problematic. But it can be used effectively if you're careful with it.

[Colorscapesart]

What NoD said ^^

[salemsparkler]

does the ink bleed in the pony then? and how about your pens L4LC?

xx

[hannaliten]

I have to mention this: If you use the pens on an FBR and make a mistake, there is no way it's coming off, since you don't want to acetone an FBR.

[Maniah]

Yeah.. I can imagine.. That would lead to lots of cussing from me. But I have messed up on FBR symbols before and managed to salvage it.. so I'd just have to take a deep breath and see what could be done.

[bagheera86]

Yeah.. I can imagine.. That would lead to lots of cussing from me. But I have messed up on FBR symbols before and managed to salvage it.. so I'd just have to take a deep breath and see what could be done.

what is fbr?

[Maniah]

Full Body Repaint

[bagheera86]

Full Body Repaint

*facepalm* oops..

[Maniah]

I always thought India ink was a brand but from a brief google search it looks like it may be just a thing. So what brand are the pens you prefer to use?

[Arkillian]

I don't know if ink is the thing to use. It feels more of a job for guache to me :/ Ink needs a porous material to bind to. Guache is far more opaque while still being runny. I guess you could use it with a dipping ink pen. I've never tried it. I'd use a good maru pen if you can find one but be careful to practice. Ink pens can leave a gauge mark in paper. Goodness know what it'll do to ponies. I'd just get better with a brush.

A good technique with brushes is to have a wet brush (not enough that it drips paint though) and paint with your brush pointing up on an angle and going down in a smooth fashion. Moving from this motion will waver the line. It takes a bit to get perfect lines, but it's the best way. Use a 00 brush for it