Home › Forums › Explore Media › Pen and Ink › What is the difference between dyepigmentindiaacrylic inks?
- This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 9 months ago by CharM Moderator Watercolour Forum.
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January 11, 2013 at 8:11 pm #990492
Hi there, I’m fairly new to pen and ink. The other day I was working on a drawing that required a lot of detail but the Higgins ink I was using was so inconstant and watery, I couldn’t get anything fine unless I shook the bottle every time I dipped the nib. Needless to say it was very frustrating. So then I went to the art store and I was amazed that there were different types of inks. I thought I’d ask you knowledgeable folks the difference between dye-based inks, pigment-based inks, acrylic ink, and india ink? I want to get an ink that can handle super fine detail (millimeters in width or less) and isn’t too dark so I can layer the darks and get a nice variation in value. I ended up buying some Pelikan Drawing Ink but it’s super dark and it’s almost impossible to get something light and delicate, but I guess I just wanted something that could make a good mark.
January 11, 2013 at 11:54 pm #1179020Dyes go into solution, tend to be less opaque, tend to be less lightfast, and generally are more fluid.
Pigments are finely ground particles suspended in a (in this case) liquid medium. They tend to clog mechanical pens, have varying opacity depending on the pigment (from very transparent to very opaque), and generally have better lightfast qualities.
Acrylic inks use pigments – Liquitex Acrylic Ink, FW Ink.
India Ink was traditionally made from lampblack (basically, carbon soot). Whether that still holds or not, I really have no idea, but looking at my Speedball Super Black India Ink, it claims to be from 100% carbon pigment.
India inks tend to have different properties depending on the manufacturer or the line. I like Pelikan Tusche A drawing ink. Flows well, drys very fast, reasonably opaque but can be thinned, flat, waterproof, holds up to erasing – not the absolute blackest. Speedball is blacker, but not quite as waterproof, and doesn’t in my estimation flow as well. Shading inks – those that naturally aren’t all that opaque and the heavier you lay it on the darker, tend not to be India ink (which are supposed to be dense and black and cover well), but some dye and acrylic (the less opaque) do. They usually aren’t black, though.
January 12, 2013 at 2:44 pm #1179022Thanks for the reply. I didn’t know you could dilute Pelikan – I’ll give that a try. Shading inks sound good too.
January 13, 2013 at 2:19 am #1179021You can dilute pretty much any inks (I’m sure there’s one out there you can’t just to spite me). Colored acrylic inks can be used very similar to watercolors. Heavily staining, non-lifting watercolors, admittedly.
January 25, 2017 at 8:00 pm #1179023Even though Acrylic inks can be diluted with water you have to be careful , if you over dilute the acrylic polymer it looses integrity which reduces adhesion & stability.
January 25, 2017 at 10:29 pm #1179024Hiya, I’ve been researching this myself as I have been shopping for art supplies. As usual, I’ve gone way overboard on the amount of information I really need to know. Looks like you’ve already got a great reply from Hoplite, but I’ll add what I think I know as well.
Dye vs pigment:
Dyes are water soluble and not as lightfastness as pigments. Fountain pens tend to be dye based as pigments can clog their feeds.
Pigments are not watersoluble and pigmented ink consists of tiny particles suspended in liquid. It depends on the pigment, but they tend to be more lightfast than dye based inks. These are suitable for dip pens or brush work as there is no danger of clogging. Technical pens can also take pigmented ink with diligent care.
India ink is pigmented ink made from carbon black and typically contains shellac to give it its waterproof properties. I would try Speedball if you dislike Higgins. I’ve read reviews on both Speedball tends to be preferred over Higgins.
Acrylic inks – I just discovered these last week. They are essentially watered down acrylics and like acrylics, are pigment based and water proof when dry. I’ve read that they work very well with dip pens. Pretty interesting if you’re into experimenting.
Personally, I’m a minimalist and like the idea of just an india ink and watercolor combo myself but there are so many choices out there if you’re into experimenting.
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