Inks - My favorites for drawing and sketching

May 9

Written By Carina Irlbacher

Do you ever feel like ink – apart from what kids use in primary school – is slowly fading into oblivion?

Does that make me old school?

Sure, ballpoint pens are quick and handy when it comes to writing.

But… does everything always have to be quick and convenient?

Now, this blog isn’t about writing anyway. It’s about painting and drawing. And even here, I have to say: ink is sadly underappreciated.

Which is a shame – because it's such a beautiful medium!

In fact, today I want to take it one step further and not just talk about fineliners, but about real ink – the kind you use with a dip pen or fountain pen for drawing.

What is Ink Actually Good For?

The combination of a dip pen and ink is incredibly versatile – and far more than just a tool for vintage-style letter writing!

In scientific illustration, for example, it's used all the time.

Artists like Lucy T. Smith or Sarah Morrish create incredibly detailed nature illustrations with it, often combined with watercolor – or even completely in black and white.
In mixed media art, creatives like Alina Lupu use the expressive power of ink lines to contrast with loose watercolor or collage elements.
And in urban sketching? Many artists – like Alicia Aradilla – rely on lively ink line work as the base for colorful city scenes.

And hey – it doesn’t always have to be black!

Sepia, warm browns, or bold color experiments (think emerald green, violet, or even sunshine yellow) can add character and mood to your drawings.

What I personally love most about working with ink: it’s a focused, slow-paced medium.

Once the ink hits the paper, it stays there – there’s little room for correction.

And that, strangely enough, brings me into a beautifully calm, flow-like state.

I like to call ink a flow medium.

Time seems to disappear, you melt into the drawing, and you're fully present with yourself and the line. At the same time, it’s always ready to go – and even if life calls you away mid-sketch, that’s okay.

The ink simply waits until you're ready to pick up where you left off.

My Favorite Inks

So yes, I really enjoy drawing with ink. And since I’ve tried quite a few, I want to introduce you to my current favorites.

Sketch Ink by Rohrer & Klingner

Let’s start with my all-time favorite – the SketchInk series by Rohrer & Klingner.

It's waterproof, dries quickly, and is perfect for pairing with watercolor.

And the best part?

The colors have women’s names – each like a tiny personality in a bottle, i.e.:

Lotta – deep black and elegant
Thea – khaki green, perfect for nature themes
Carmen – sunny orange-yellow, for eye-catching accents

Whether you're traveling or at your art table at home – SketchInk is reliable, versatile, and just plain fun!

Deleter Black 4

A deep, opaque black ink that's great for pure ink drawings.

Important: It’s not waterproof – so don’t combine it with watercolor unless you paint first and ink afterwards.

With Deleter Black 4, you’ll get crisp, clean, and well-defined lines.

Winsor & Newton Liquid Indian Ink

Classic, intense, and – like Deleter – not waterproof.

But if you’re going full pen-and-ink and focusing purely on line work, it’s a beautiful choice.

Schmincke Indian Ink 1912 - The new one

This one’s on my to-try list! It promises waterproof quality and a rich, deep black.

I can’t wait to start my next botanical series with it!

Ink + Fountain Pens: A Little Warning from Experience

You’ll often see urban sketchers using Lamy Safari fountain pens – sometimes even color-matched to their SketchInk.

And yes, it looks fabulous!

BUT: My personal experience wasn’t as smooth. I clogged up two pens because I didn’t use them often enough.

To be fair – clogging CAN happen, but it doesn’t have to.

So if you draw regularly, it might work wonderfully.

If not, I’d recommend using a dip pen instead – no clogging risk, and much more expressive range!

Conclusion

For pairing with watercolor: go for waterproof inks like SketchInk
For pure line art: try non-waterproof but deeply black inks

Don’t get discouraged if every ink doesn’t immediately win your heart – like so many things in art, your favorites will find you through experimentation.