Components for an India Ink wash

[ianacole]

I've seen this mentioned in a couple of threads, using a wash of India Ink with alcohol to deepen lines and bring out details. Does this comprise all its components, the ink and alcohol, or are there other pieces to it?

Thanks!

Ian

 

[Selector]

Properly, you need a good quality black ink...any black ink, including anything made in China, etc. But, if you must have India Ink, you may pay more...check it out. Then, go to Wally's and buy 350 ml of their pharmacy isopropyl alcohol (70%), and add maybe two tsp of the ink to that. Then, using a discarded hairpsray mister or something, half fill it with water and fill the rest with the ink/alcohol mix. That new mixture should do a good job of gentle details highlighting and staining. The original mix with the two tsp of ink is for heavier, quicker work.

-Crandell

 

[tankist]

i skipped the water. didn't have isopropil at that moment and used denaturated alcohol instead. again, no mister so i airbrushed it on - mixed one airbrush paint jar of denaturat with just a drop (if that) of india ink. i did want deeper effect though.

EDIT:
didn't take picture immidiatley after but here is the result after i topped it off with reddish acryllic wash.

 

[ianacole]

I've got the wife making a run to the local Hobby Lobby...should be a good time this evening Thanks all!

 

[NWCanuck]

I've got the wife making a run to the local Hobby Lobby

Sounds like you have a good women there Ian, I think if I asked my wife to goto my local hobby shop she would tell me to go pound salt.

As for the ink you are better off getting it at an art supply store. You will get more for less.

 

[ianacole]

Sounds like you have a good women there Ian

You have no idea ... MRR is my "cheap" hobby.

 

[kenw]

the reason you should use alcohol instead of water is that the alcohol is "cleaner", it contains nothing that can adversly affect the ink's properties. Granted you can use distilled water and avoid the contaminant issue, but alcohol also has the benefit of drying much faster and the lower surface tension prevents puddling and helps "wetting" of the surface it is used on.

in this case, denatured works just as well as isopropyl as a thinner and wetting agent. Either is superior to water.

 

[eTraxx]

K-Mart has Higgins Waterproof India Ink for $3.49 for 1 oz. Compare this to Blick art materials .. where their 'Black Cat' Waterproof India Ink you can get a gallon for $13.34 ...

While there I was looking around. Their dry tempera reminds me of a process I used on a layout .. oh .. over twenty years ago where you sift powdered tempera onto you cast rocks/ground (after base color painted) and then spray with water which washes the tint into the cracks and crevices .. remember using brown and black.