What's the difference between watercolors and colored inks?
I enjoy using black ink with paintbrushes and in fountain pens, and I was considering buying some colored inks as well. It occurred to me, however... isn't it ridiculously similar to watercolors (which I already have and use)?
Can anyone explain the differences to me?
Inks are very heavily pigmented - a little often goes a long way. There are different kinds of inks available, all of these can be mixed with water -
Pigmented Inks are similar to watercolours in that they use similar pigments, mostly the synthetic staining pigments which can make them difficult to lift. Unlike watercolours, the pigments are all transparent;
Waterproof Inks are generally dye-based and not as lightfast as pigmented, also they are waterproof when dry, like india ink, and are also transparent;
Acrylic Inks are also waterproof when dry. Depending on the pigment used, they can be transparent, semi-opaque or completely opaque.
I have used pigmented inks with my watercolours - they spread on the paper differently because there is no gum arabic or oxgall in them to aid dispersal. Acrylic inks are amazing - the colours are brilliant and the opaque colours cover very well.
Try them - they really are a different medium to watercolour.
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