Drawing With Inks

Drawing Inks - Unique Medium For Artists & Graphic Designers

Learn how to use drawing inks and why they’re different from colours and pastels. Discover how ink drawing techniques can benefit artists and graphic designers by adding expressive, authentic textures to creative work.

Drawing inks are a distinctive and often underrated medium that sit somewhere between traditional drawing materials and paint. Unlike pencils, markers, or pastels, inks offer both precision and fluidity — a rare balance that makes them perfect for artists who want to explore dynamic line work, bold colours, and expressive design. For graphic designers in particular, understanding how to use drawing inks can open new creative pathways that digital tools alone can’t replicate.

Drawing Ink Art Project - Nature In flow

Explore how ink can capture the natural flow and movement found in nature — like leaves, water, or branches with the use of drawing inks.

Materials You’ll Need:

A few bottles of Fluids drawing inks (black plus 1–2 colours)
Watercolour or mixed-media paper
Brushes (soft round brushes are best)
Dip pen or fine liner (optional)
Jar of water
Paper towels or tissue
Pencil (for a light sketch)

Steps:

Plan Your Composition
Lightly sketch a simple natural subject — for example, a leaf pattern, flower, wave, or tree branch.Keep it loose and organic.

Apply a Light Ink Wash
Dilute your ink with water to make a light wash. Paint large areas of your drawing using this mixture. Let the ink flow naturally — it’s okay if the colours blend or spread unpredictably.

Add Depth and Colour
While the first layer is still damp, drop in more concentrated ink. Watch how it spreads and forms interesting textures. You can tilt the paper slightly to guide the flow.

Create Details with Line Work
Once the background wash is dry, use a dip pen or fine brush with undiluted ink to add details and outlines. Vary your line thickness to show texture and movement.

Finishing Touches
Add splatters or tiny accents for energy and contrast. Dab off any excess ink with a tissue if needed.

Reflect and Title
Look at your piece and think about how the inks behaved — how the water carried the pigment, how colours layered or bled. Give your work a title that reflects the feeling it gives (e.g. “Autumn Flow” or “Tide Lines”).