Does any body know if india ink comes in any other color, rather than black? Would regular colored ink do the same as india ink does when mixed with isopropyl alcohol?
By coincidence yesterday my artist wife got her copy of the latest Dick Blick art supply catalog, and yes indeed for the first time I noticed that India Inks come in a variety of colors. Here is a link to part of their extensive online catalog
http://www.dickblick.com/categories/inks/
http://www.dickblick.com/products/dr-ph-martins-bombay-india-inks/
I am sure they can be mixed with isopropyl alcohol (I prefer 91% to the frequently recommended 70%) but I wonder if the results are as satisfactory. The black india ink is such a pure black, no blue to it unlike many “black” paints, that it nicely darkens things when sprayed. I am less certain about the results with the color inks. Has someone tried it who can report in?
By the way, not entirely off topic: there are many things of potential modeling use in any big art supply catalog. And the Dick Blick outlet store, including the back room with huge deals on discontinued or slightly shopworn items, is in Galesburg IL which just happens to be a great town for railfanning and whose Railroad Days in June includes a major model train show well worth traveling some distance to attend. So railfan, get to the train show, and then check out the Dick Blick outlet store which as it happens is on the BNSF line from Galesburg to Peoria.
Dave Nelson
I’ve tried brown and white with less than favorable results. I went to artist oils and thinned them way down with mineral spirits. This worked well
ratled
I recently asked for help on an india ink wash formula on this forum. After several courteous replies, I went to a Michael’s Crafts Store (national chain) nearby and purchased a 2.5 oz bottle of Higgins Fountain Pen India Ink (made by Chartpak) for use in making a dilute wash for concrete coloration.
One issue that came up when I spoke with a clerk at the store was “waterproof” versus “non-waterproof” varieties of india ink. She suggested the non-waterproof, as I was diluting it. The result was very good. Apparently, the waterproof variety has some additional chemicals in it that might inhibit mixing with alcohol.
I read some where that a guy used red India ink and alcohol wash to simulate rust streaks which sounded very interesting but was never able to find it. Thanks for the link, possibly some of the other colors could be used for weathering washes
Interesting – I too use the Higgins brand of india ink and I just checked the bottle. It is the non-waterproof version, so it seems I bought the right type just through sheer luck. This is good to know as I might not have even noticed that difference when I next need to buy a bottle.
Dave Nelson
Dave - Thanks for the link to Dick Blick art supply. I was looking for some dry tempera paints and they carry many brands. Also interesting was the comment on the waterproof India ink not mixing with water. I looked at one of the brands on the website and it was a waterproof ink but the description said it mixes easily with water. Maybe that comment holds true for certain brands.
if you want pigmented solutions take a look at www.hunterline.com Much better then india ink IMO.
You should use waterproof ink and 91% if you can get it (less impurities and sometimes those impurities can make it not work at all) . You can use all colors but you have to experiment as all blacks are not the same (even if they say India). I even have a few transparent inks left over from art school days but browns and blacks are what I use most (although I have a few buildings with a mortar made from white). Dilutions vary and I have several shades that I use. Now if you use it on plastic you should dullcoat it when you get the finish you want because it can come off to some extent with additional alcohol and other means. Strip wood is more permanent but will fade over time depending on the lighting conditions.