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Lesson 1: Different Calligraphy Inks
As an intermediate calligrapher, it's important to know the tools that are available to you in order to achieve a certain effect. In this lesson, we'll examine several different calligraphy inks. We'll also talk about topics related to inks, like waterproofing and dilution.
1. Gouache (as Ink)
Gouache (rhymes with “squash”) is basically super opaque watercolor. You can use it to mix custom colors. Use light tones of gouache to write on dark papers for a stunning effect! If you want to make a large batch of gouache for future use, simply mix up gouache and water in a jar, then you can dip your pen directly into it. Be sure to tightly seal the jar after every use! (I just made a small batch of gouache for this video.)
Gouache inspiration:
2. India Ink
India inks are vibrant and lightfast. I love to use colored India inks for projects where I need my colors to “pop”!
India ink inspiration:
3. Iron Gall Ink
Iron gall ink is delightfully thin, allowing you to achieve incredible stroke contrast!
Iron gall ink inspiration:
4. Metallic Watercolor (as Ink)
I prefer to use metallic watercolors in lieu of metallic inks. That way, no pesky ink separation occurs (it’s the worst when pieces of glitter sink to the bottom of your ink jar, never to incorporate back in), and you can control the opacity.
Metallic watercolor inspiration:
5. Sumi Ink
Sumi ink is my go-to if I’m making something to scan … or if I just want to make a project with a nice, velvety black ink. Note that if water evaporates out of sumi ink, it can be tough to write with! Please feel free to dilute your sumi ink per this article.
Sumi ink inspiration:
6. Walnut Ink
If you’re looking for a beautiful antique-like effect, walnut ink is the way to go!
Walnut ink inspiration:
7. White Ink
Out of all the white inks I’ve tried, Bleed Proof White is my favorite!
White ink inspiration:
8. Watercolor (as Ink)
Using a watercolor palette as ink gives you the ability to take your calligraphy practice anywhere (because dry watercolor palettes are mess-free). Furthermore, you can use or mix practically any color you want, eliminating the need to invest in lots of different colors of calligraphy inks!
Watercolor (as ink) inspiration:
8A. Waterproofing Your Calligraphy
If you’re concerned about moisture damage to your calligraphy, consider applying a fixative!
(You can click here for a link to Jodean Cooper’s Fabulous Floral Flourishes tutorial!)
9. Ziller Ink
Ziller ink is the most waterproof ink that I’ve ever come across! If I’m combining watercolors with my calligraphy or sending an envelope to a wet climate, I always use Ziller inks.
Ziller ink inspiration:
9A. A Quick Tip About Combining Watercolors and Calligraphy
This video is less than a minute long, so definitely worth a watch, but here’s the gist: always write with your Ziller ink first, then apply watercolor.
10. How (and When) to Dilute Ink
A simple concept, ink dilution simply involves adding water to ink. Stirring water into your ink whenever your ink flow starts to feel “off” will help to make your writing experience more pleasant (and your ink will last longer)! If you’re unsure of the water quality where you live, use distilled water, which you can find in most supermarkets.
11. When (+ How) to Use Gum Arabic to Thicken Ink
Here’s a video that lends some clarification on when you might need gum arabic, and how to use it at that point. I’m using powdered gum arabic in the video, but the liquid gum arabic works the exact same way! Just add, stir, and test; add, stir, and test.
I hope that this lesson introduces you to some new inks! As you add to your collection, be sure to fill out the My Ink Collection sheet on page 2 of your course worksheet.
When you’re ready, take the lesson quiz to make sure you understand some core concepts, then move on to Lesson 2. If you have questions, ask in the Lesson Discussion below! I’ll answer within 24 hours.
*Links in this course lead to American merchants. For a list of international merchants, click here. This lesson contains affiliate links to Paper & Ink Arts and Scribblers.
118 responses
All of them! I just happen to find the most use for the Soot Black because I always use it with watercolors. Paper & Ink Arts sells a big range of colors, or you can buy them directly from the Ziller website. (Side note: Ziller is a small family-owned company run by super nice people. I love supporting them!)
I just wanted to say how much I’ve learned already from just this first lesson. When I signed up for the class, I thought this lesson wouldn’t be all that interesting or helpful, but I would watch it anyway; boy was I wrong! I had tried (once) to use Finetek with my dip pen, unsuccessfully, but after watching that specific video, I was able to use the Finetek with no problem at all. I had never tried gouache or regular watercolor before but those worked for me as well. I’ve started a rather extensive shopping list, but will wait until I watch a few more lessons before ordering, since there may be more items I learn that I can’t live without! Haha!! Thanks for offering this class at such a reasonable price; I’m looking forward to continuing the lessons.
This lesson does sound lame, but you’re right — it’s actually a fascinating rabbit hole that covers some inks (and ink-like things like paint) that you might not have known how to use before! I think if I were to start from (almost) scratch and make a must-have list of five inks, it would contain: 1. Sumi ink; 2. Bleed Proof White ink; 3. Finetec Arabic Gold pan; 4. Walnut ink; and 5. Ziller ink. I mean … assuming I already have a palette of watercolors on hand!
Yes, I do have quite a few watercolors on hand, and a few gouache paint tubes as well. I also have sumi ink, bleed proof white ink, Finetec Arabic gold, and Ziller ink. The walnut ink is one of the things in my cart at Paper & Ink Arts. Along with a lot of other things!
You are going to love that walnut ink! I actually picked up some walnuts in western Kansas last week to try making my own, but I doubt they’ll be nearly as vibrant and pretty as the Daniel Smith. 🙂
You are right. I got my walnut ink yesterday and played with it today and I LOVE it! Such a beautiful color with great shading.
Hi Lindsey, I finally got my order of gouache inks in and while I LOVE the colors and variations I am having so much trouble getting the ink flowing properly. Is it just a matter of continually adding water or could I be doing something wrong?? I have watched the section above a bunch but was hoping you might have more tips and tricks to share. I am trying out watercolor next! Thank you so much for all these amazing lessons – I already feel like I have learned so very, very much from you. 🙂
~HollyYou know, depending on the gouache, it could really help the flow/consistency to add a bit of gum arabic! I’d try that before you do anything else. (If you don’t have any, it is really useful stuff to have around. You can order liquid or powder; it doesn’t matter. I like the powder because it lasts forever.) Gouache does require mixing in water fairly regularly (maybe every 30 minutes, especially if it’s on a plate, where water will evaporate off faster), but you shouldn’t have to constantly be adding water to get it to write well!
Excellent suggestion, I will look for some. Part of the issue could be heat right now, without air conditioning my room tends to get rather warm. BTW, I tried out the watercolor today – wow!! They are so much fun to work with. I need to work on my technique but love all the variations it offers. Thank you again!!
Hi Lindsey,
Will Ziller ink ever need to be diluted and if so, would the water be incorporated into the ink properly since its waterproof?
Hi Tara! Yes, definitely Ziller will need to be diluted. As you use it, water evaporates out, and it tends to get unpleasantly sludgy. Surprisingly, Ziller lends itself very well to dilution, and in my experience, diluting it has not undercut its waterproof properties!
Hi
I was just trying out some different nibs and inks, and I found that, as I expected, my favourite inks by far are Walnut and Iron gall. The Higgins Eternal bled terribly on my HP32 paper (Maybe because that was my blue pumpkin and it was too wet for the paper? The BP is fine on the HP paper with Iron Gall ink. What do you think?).
I also find the Sumi ink hard to get along with. Looking through the video and comments, I was wondering if you think I should try watering the Higgins and Sumi down a bit? Or could you recommend a non-acidic ink that would flow like the Iron Gall/Walnut, please?
Thanks,
KatherineHi Katherine!
I’ve actually never been able to get the Higgins to cooperate, either, which made me feel a bit crazy when I first set out to learn calligraphy because everyone recommended it. I did find that it doesn’t bleed on paper with a bit more tooth like drawing paper and watercolor paper, but I honestly don’t find Higgins ink to be special enough to dictate the type of paper that I use! If you’re determined to use the Higgins on the 32# laserjet, try adding some gum arabic to it? I think the problem with Higgins is that it is so watery.
Definitely water down the sumi! If it’s acting unruly, I strongly suspect that it’s because it’s a bit too thick. I think that would help very well. As far as a non-acidic ink that would flow as well as walnut or iron gall, you could try Bombay India inks. They’re a bit thicker than walnut ink, but they do have a fabulous flow and a nice, vivid color! But try diluting the sumi first … I think that will make a huge difference.
Thanks for talking about Higgins — I have learned to use it but it sure did NOT make beginning calligraphy easy at all.
Dear Lindsey — Just like your blog tutorials, I have learned so much – very clear and concise instructions and great progression of details. In particular, I have struggled with different inks for different applications (watercolor, different types of paper, etc.) so Lesson 1 information has cleared up several questions. I tend to typically try things which can be a great way to learn but can also be frustrating and result in a lot of purchasing of yet more supplies. LOL. Now I have a MUCH MUCH MUCH better idea of what to purchase to help me achieve my goals. I love using watercolor and calligraphy together and your tips have advanced my understanding of this beautiful medium. Cannot wait to go through all the lessons. 🙂
I am so happy to read that! Very glad that this lesson could give knowledge and clarification. 🙂
Hi Lindsey,
I was wondering in your demonstrations if you are resting your paper on an angle while you are writing. If yes how do you keep a straight line?
ThanksHi Catherine! Are you asking if the table is sloped? If so, it’s not … it’s just flat! Rotating my paper while I write and using an oblique pen really helps me (as a right-handed person) to maintain straight, consistent lines.
Thank you, Lindsey! This is so helpful! I only discovered your blog about 1.5 years ago. I’m slowly going back and reading your older posts, but I hadn’t found this one about replacing nibs yet. Thanks for providing so much detailed info with beautiful photos and videos!
Hi Lindsey,
I’m so very grateful for this lesson. You’ve answered all my questions about inks. So far my favourite writing ink is gouache but I haven’t tried many of the others yet, so my favourite might still change! I’m keen on trying the walnut ink….love all things sepia! Your lessons are uncomplicated and your videos are so delightful. You’re a wonderful tutor. This is my 3rd course with you and no doubt it won’t be my last. Thank you!
You’re too kind! I really do hope you try the walnut ink. The viscosity is night and day compared to gouache, but it has the loveliest effect and can be really easy to use!
Wow! I learned so much! I have collected quite a few inks and really appreciated the organized ink jar worksheet to see at a glance what they each look like on black and white paper. I use walnut and iron gall quite often and my go-to nib is the EF66. I always rinse and wipe dry even if I just take a quick break, but I had noticed recently that it seems to be rusting. Now I know why! Should I have a dedicated nib for these acidic inks or should I just plan on replacing my nib often? Thanks!
That is totally up to you! I just replace my nib pretty often. 🙂 It seems a little bit easier than trying to juggle using several of the same nib at once!
Could you give suggestions as to how to know when to replace a nib? When a tine snapped off it was obvious, but my new EF66 (only about 1 month old) is struggling to write. It looks slightly less pointed than a new one, so I replaced it and the brand new one is writing much better. But shouldn’t a nib last more than a month? Thanks!
Actually, not lasting more than a month is normal — especially for an EF66! It just depends on the frequency that you were using it and the acidity of the ink you were using it with. Here’s a good article about nib replacement: https://thepostmansknock.com/know-calligraphy-nib-done/
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