How to Buy Inking Supplies

Ink is the medium used for a wide range of art forms from calligraphy and Japanese Sumi-e, to comic books. Use a ball point pen and paper for a quick sketch but purchase basic inking supplies if you decide to explore this ancient method of ink painting. Inking supplies are available at a wide range of online and local retailers who specialize in art supplies.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Paint brushes
• Art pens
• Copic markers or gel pens
• Dip pen and nibs
• Ink
• Art gum and vinyl eraser
• Artist's opaque white and white-out pen
• Paper

1. Purchase a set of brushes. Consider high quality natural hair brushes from a manufacturer such as Windsor/Newton. Select brushes with flat, round and filbert heads to create a variety of effects. Specialized bamboo brushes designed for traditional Japanese ink and water color techniques are available for artists exploring Sumi-e.
2. Select a set of artist ink pens. Look for pens or markers that are acid–free and archival, which do not fade over time. Choose a set of fine point pens to draw solid black ink lines. When purchasing your art supplies, include a technical pen for inking mechanical and inorganic objects.
3. Add color to your art supplies with the Copic Markers that are used to create a manga-art style found in Japanese comics. For a less expensive venture into colored ink, experiment with gel pens which are available at office supply stores.
4. Paint or draw with an old fashion dip pen to truly experience ink drawing and painting. Place different nibs in your pen to achieve a range of artistic expression. Choose a pen that holds the type of nibs you are most interested in using. Consider purchasing an ink pen set that contains a dip pen, crow quill holder numerous nibs and a crow quill if you are new to ink drawing, painting or calligraphy. Sets are available from retailers who sell art supplies. Specialized sets for Sumi-e are available that contain bamboo brushes or sticks, black ink sticks and a grinding stone.
5. Buy drawing ink to use with your dip pen and brushes. Select classic black ink for traditional ink drawing and painting. Look at the extensive colored ink selection available as you explore the art of ink drawing and painting.
6. Put art gum, vinyl erasers, artists' opaque white, white-out pens and paper in your ink drawing shopping cart. Purchase your basic inking art supplies and begin to master the art medium of ink.

Tips & Warnings

• Sumi-e ink sticks are not traditional ink but rather a charcoal and glue mixture processed into a stick. Place the stick in water on an ink stone to form the black ink used in Sumi-e.

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