Sketchbook Challenge - Part 6: water-soluble ink
Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday!
I’m wrapping up my sketchbook challenge this week, and I wanted to share one last technique with you – a fun and simple way to create both expressive lines and soft washes using water-soluble ink. In this video, I demonstrate how you can add shading and depth to your sketches with just a fountain pen, some water-soluble ink, and a waterbrush. It’s perfect for both quick sketching on the go and for experimenting at home.
Materials I used today:
Stillman & Birn Beta Series sketchbook
Sailor DeMannen fountain pen with a Fude nib – a bent calligraphy nib that creates versatile line variation, from thick, bold strokes to fine, delicate lines.
Water-soluble Sailor ink
Pentel Aquash waterbrush
Experimenting with water-soluble Ink
Using a fountain pen with water-soluble ink gives your sketch a dynamic, unpredictable edge. By lightly touching the ink lines with the waterbrush, you can create a soft wash of gray, adding shading and depth to your drawing. Just be sure to not overwork the ink – a gentle touch is enough!
The process is playful, you can experiment and will have some happy accidents, which I love. You’ll see in the video how starting with negative space helped me lay out my composition before adding details and shading.
If you’re following along with the challenge, I hope this gives you some inspiration to try new techniques in your own sketchbook!
Looking for waterproof inks?
While today I’m using a water-soluble ink, sometimes you’ll want to add watercolor or another wet medium over your linework without smudging or bleeding.
Here are some great waterproof inks that are suitable (and made for) fountain pens:
Platinum Carbon Ink
Rohrer & Klingner SketchInk
DeAtramentis Document Ink
Your assignment this week
Your assignment this week: Draw your subject one more time, and enjoy the process. You know that you can keep going, even when I'm not publishing videos with more approaches for the particular subject... the ways to tackle it are endless!
On Patreon, I share a list of ideas to keep going.If you’ve been participating in the challenge, don’t forget to tag me on social media (@koosjekoene on Instagram and Koosje Koene Illustrations on Facebook)– I’d love to see your sketches!
I hope this inspires you to experiment in your sketchbook, play with different tools and techniques, and most of all, enjoy the process.
