Lena Savoie
Indian ink, also known as Chinese ink, is a highly versatile ink that can be used on a variety of surfaces, including paper, board, and canvas, and is a favourite among artists, designers, and calligraphers. Indian ink is made from pigments, which are tiny grains of coloured material, and often needs to be shaken before use to ensure even colour distribution. Alcohol ink, on the other hand, is made from dyes mixed with an alcohol solution, creating a bright, evenly distributed ink that does not require shaking. Alcohol inks are ideal for use on non-porous surfaces such as glass, metal, plastic, and ceramic, and are loved for their ability to create vibrant colours and interesting effects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | India Ink: Made from soot and water or pine soot combined with animal glue; uses pigments, not dyes, for colour |
| Alcohol Ink: Made from dyed alcohol; uses chemical reactions between dyes and an alcohol solution for colour | |
| Consistency | India Ink: Has sediment at the bottom of the bottle and needs to be shaken before use |
| Alcohol Ink: Does not have sediment and does not need to be shaken before use | |
| Applicators | India Ink: Can be applied with brushes (Chinese or Western), pens, nibs, bamboo pens, or airbrushes |
| Alcohol Ink: Can be applied with brushes, pens, pipettes, eye droppers, squeeze bottles, or airbrushes; should not be used with high-quality brushes as alcohol may dye the bristles | |
| Surfaces | India Ink: Best used on paper or board; can be used on canvas or fabric |
| Alcohol Ink: Best used on non-porous surfaces like metal, plastic, marker paper, glass, Yupo, clay boards, or ceramic tiles; can be used on porous surfaces like canvas, fabric, or wood to create stains or a more uncontrolled look | |
| Effects | India Ink: Can be mixed with watercolour or shellac to increase gloss when dry |
| Alcohol Ink: Can be re-wet with rubbing alcohol to create unique effects; can be layered to add depth, colour, or effects | |
| Use Cases | India Ink: Calligraphy, colouring epoxy resins, watercolour painting, oriental art, tattoo art |
| Alcohol Ink: Fabric dying, stamping, leatherwork, polymer clay painting, wood staining, stained glass, jewellery, home decor |
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What You'll Learn
Composition
Indian ink, also known as Chinese ink, is made from pine soot combined with animal glue or another binding agent. It is available in both liquid and solid form. The solid form is a stick that can be ground into an ink stone with water to create liquid ink. Indian ink can be mixed with watercolour or shellac to increase its gloss. It uses pigments, rather than dyes, for colour.
Alcohol ink, on the other hand, is made from dye and an alcohol solution. The alcohol evaporates, leaving the dye behind, which is why alcohol inks do not need to be shaken before use. Alcohol inks are transparent and highly pigmented, creating vibrant colours. They are also 100% waterproof and dry within minutes. Alcohol inks are best used on non-porous surfaces such as metal, plastic, marker paper and glass, but can also be used on porous surfaces like fabric or wood to create stains. They can be applied with a brush or pen, or dropped straight from a pipette.
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Application
Indian ink, also known as Chinese ink, is available in both liquid and solid form. The solid form is a stick that can be ground into an ink stone with water to create liquid ink. Indian ink can be used with brushes, pens, or nibs, and is ideal for creating fine lines and precise strokes. It is commonly used in calligraphy, watercolour painting, and tattooing. Indian ink can be mixed with watercolour mediums, and shellac can be added to increase gloss. It is important to note that Indian ink is not typically mixed with other mediums.
When applying Indian ink, the type of paper used matters. Harder-sized watercolour papers are better suited to crisp, fine lines, while softer-sized papers may cause the ink to bleed or feather. Indian ink can also be applied to gesso panels or canvas, with the latter providing a textured surface ideal for brushwork.
Alcohol ink, on the other hand, is made from dyed alcohol. It is highly pigmented and creates vibrant colours and interesting effects. Alcohol ink dries quickly as the alcohol evaporates, leaving only the dye behind. This type of ink is best applied with pipettes, eye droppers, or squeeze bottles, and works well on non-porous surfaces such as Yupo, clay boards, or ceramic tiles. Alcohol ink can also be used on porous surfaces like canvas, fabric, or wood to create a stained or uncontrolled look.
While alcohol ink can be applied to paper, it is important to note that it will sink into the paper and may result in darker colours. It is more commonly used on non-porous surfaces like metal, plastic, glass, or leather. Alcohol ink is versatile and can be used for a variety of applications, including staining glass, fabric dying, stamping, wood staining, and more. It is important to avoid using high-quality brushes with alcohol ink as the alcohol may dye the bristles. Additionally, alcohol ink should not be used over Indian ink or acrylic ink as it will dissolve the layers below.
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Surfaces
Indian ink, also known as India ink or Chinese ink, is commonly used by artists, designers, and calligraphers. It is made with carbon or lamp black pigment mixed with water, and sometimes with varnish, gelatin, or shellac to make the ink more durable or glossy. It is usually deep black in colour, though it can also be found in other colours. India ink is ideal for calligraphy and creating fine lines and precise strokes. It can be used on paper, card, canvas, or metal surfaces, and is suitable for use with dip pens and brushes.
India ink may or may not be waterproof, and it is recommended to test it first. It is also important to note that it can thicken quickly and may require frequent pen nib washing. It is not typically mixed with other mediums, but water-soluble varieties can be mixed with watercolour, and shellac can be added to increase gloss.
Alcohol ink is a dye-based ink made using chemical reactions between colourful dyes and an alcohol solution. It is bright and does not need to be shaken before use. Alcohol inks are fully waterproof and will not smudge or remove easily, but they can be removed from non-porous surfaces with rubbing alcohol. They have a low lightfastness rating, meaning the colour will fade and dull over time. Alcohol inks are best used on non-porous surfaces such as clay boards, ceramic tiles, metal, plastic, glass, and synthetic waterproof paper. They can also be used on porous surfaces such as canvas, fabric, or wood to create stains or an uncontrolled look.
Alcohol inks are well-suited for a variety of applications, including glass staining, fabric dying, stamping, leatherwork, polymer clay painting, wood staining, and more. They can be applied using pipettes, eye droppers, squeeze bottles, pens, or brushes, although high-quality brushes should be avoided as the alcohol may dye the bristles.
In summary, the choice between India ink and alcohol ink depends on the specific requirements of the project. India ink is ideal for calligraphy and creating precise lines, while alcohol ink offers a wide range of applications and is suitable for creating stains or uncontrolled looks on porous surfaces. India ink may or may not be waterproof, while alcohol ink is fully waterproof but has lower lightfastness. The surface and application method should also be considered, as India ink is commonly used with dip pens and brushes on paper, card, canvas, or metal, while alcohol ink is recommended for non-porous surfaces and applied with pipettes, eye droppers, or squeeze bottles.
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Effects
Indian ink, also known as Chinese ink, is made from pine or lamp black pigment and a binder, which is formed into a stick and then ground into an ink stone with water. It is available in both liquid and solid form and can be used with brushes, pens, or nibs. Indian ink is ideal for creating fine lines and precise strokes, and it can be used for calligraphy, watercolour painting, and tattooing. It is also commonly used by cartoonists, illustrators, and designers. Indian ink can be mixed with watercolour or shellac to increase its gloss when dry.
Alcohol ink, on the other hand, is made from dyed alcohol. It is highly pigmented and creates vibrant colours and unusual, interesting effects. Alcohol ink dries within minutes as the alcohol evaporates, leaving only the coloured dye behind. This type of ink can be used on non-porous surfaces such as metal, plastic, glass, and ceramic tiles, as well as porous surfaces like fabric and wood to create a more uncontrolled look. Alcohol ink is often applied with pipettes, eye droppers, or squeeze bottles, and it can be used to build up layers and add depth to a piece.
The choice between Indian ink and alcohol ink depends on the desired effect and the surface being used. Indian ink is better suited for creating precise, fine lines and is typically used on paper or board, whereas alcohol ink is more suitable for creating vibrant, unusual effects and is used on non-porous or porous surfaces. Alcohol ink is also more difficult to control and may require practice to achieve a certain level of skill.
Indian ink and alcohol ink also differ in their ability to be revived or re-wetted. Alcohol ink can be re-wetted with rubbing alcohol, allowing for unique and versatile effects that cannot be achieved with water-based products. On the other hand, Indian ink can be mixed with watercolour to create new effects, but it cannot be revived in the same way as alcohol ink.
Additionally, the tools used for application differ between the two types of ink. Indian ink is commonly applied with brushes, pens, or nibs, while alcohol ink is typically applied with pipettes, eye droppers, or squeeze bottles. It is important to note that high-quality brushes should be avoided when using alcohol ink as the alcohol may dye the bristles.
In terms of permanence and lightfastness, alcohol ink is fully waterproof but has a low lightfastness rating, meaning the colour will fade over time. Indian ink, on the other hand, can be made more or less waterproof depending on the amount of shellac added, and it does not have the same lightfastness concerns as alcohol ink.
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History
Indian ink, also known as Chinese ink, has been used since the 3rd millennium BC in Neolithic China. It was originally used by Chinese painters, but the materials were often imported from India, hence its dual name. It is usually liquid but can also come in a stick, which can be ground into an ink stone with water to create a workable ink. Indian ink uses pigments, not dyes, to get its colour. It is commonly used in oriental art, such as Chinese painting, but it is also popular with cartoonists, illustrators, calligraphists, designers, and tattooists for its ability to create fine lines and precise strokes. It is also used in calligraphy and for colouring epoxy resins.
Indian ink is either water-soluble or waterproof, depending on the amount of shellac in the ink. The more shellac, the more waterproof it becomes. It can be used with pens, brushes, and airbrushes, although it is important to check the manufacturer's advice to ensure compatibility.
Alcohol ink, on the other hand, is a more recent invention. It is made from dyed alcohol and is highly pigmented, creating vibrant colours and unusual effects. It dries within minutes as the alcohol evaporates, leaving only the coloured dye behind. Alcohol ink is transparent and can be used to build up layers and add depth to a piece of art. It is often used on non-porous surfaces such as Yupo, clay boards, or ceramic tiles, but it can also be used on porous surfaces like canvas, fabric, or wood to create a more uncontrolled look. It is important to note that alcohol ink should not be used on paper as it will sink into it. Instead, smooth surfaces like glass, metal, plastic, or leather are recommended.
Alcohol ink can be applied with brushes, pens, pipettes, eye droppers, or squeeze bottles. It is important to avoid using high-quality brushes as the alcohol may dye the bristles. Alcohol inks are also great for achieving a measure of control or translucence, making them ideal for creating stained glass effects on glass or fabric dying.
While Indian ink has a long history in oriental art, alcohol ink is a more modern invention that offers artists a range of unique effects and applications.
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Frequently asked questions
Indian ink, also known as Chinese ink, is made from lamp black pigment, bound in a gum-like binder, which becomes liquid when mixed with water. Indian ink can be used with brushes, pens, or nibs, and is ideal for creating fine lines and precise strokes.
Alcohol ink is made from dyed alcohol. It is highly pigmented and can create vibrant colours and interesting effects. Alcohol ink dries quickly and can be revived by adding more ink or alcohol. It is best used on non-porous surfaces such as metal, plastic, glass, or ceramic.
Indian ink uses pigments, whereas alcohol ink uses dyes to get colour. Indian ink is better suited for creating fine lines and precise strokes, while alcohol ink is better for creating vibrant colours and unusual effects. Alcohol ink dries quickly and can be revived with alcohol, whereas Indian ink takes longer to dry and cannot be revived once dry.
