How to Create an Ink Wash with India Ink

The Far East has given us one of the most powerful and versatile materials in the workshop: India ink (also known as Chinese ink). 

In this article, I will show you how to create a wash and get the most out of this ink by applying certain principles borrowed from watercolor to achieve surprising shades and variations in value.

The properties of India ink

India ink is made from soot powder, which gives it deep blacks, a uniform texture, and a very distinctive matte finish. It is available in liquid form, ready to use, which makes it particularly accessible: all you need is a brush or pen to start working. 

The wash technique

If you have already worked with watercolors, the term "wash" will not be unfamiliar to you. It simply refers to diluting a pigment in water to obtain different degrees of transparency. When applied to India ink, the principle is the same: the concentration of the pigment is reduced to obtain a range of blacks with varying intensity.

The method is simple. Fill a palette or several small containers with the same amount of water. Load your brush with ink and dip it into the first container so that the pigment mixes with the water. Without reloading the brush, move on to the next container and continue until there is no more ink.

  

You can also proceed drop by drop: one drop in the first container, two in the next, three in the one after that, and so on. 

What you can do with the wash

Now that you know how to create different shades of gray using the deep black of ink, a whole world of possibilities opens up to you. Here are some ideas if you don't know where to start:

Combine pen and brush

Use the brush and wash to create shadows, and the pen for dark and precise outlines. Let it dry for a few moments between each step to avoid unwanted mixing.

Work in a spontaneous way

Applied freely, the wash technique enables you to create surreal atmospheres and textures that give a lot of character to a work.

Create volume and light

With a more technical approach, the wash behaves like any other paint and allows you to work on shadows, highlights, and texture.

Experiment without limits

Combine the wash with watercolor, colored pencils, or different types of paper. It is often through experimentation that we make the most interesting discoveries.

Some precautions to take

Before you start, here are some ink behaviors to be aware of so you can work with ease.

The values change as they dry

Moisture gives the ink a sheen and makes the colors more intense when applied. Once dry, they appear slightly more muted. Therefore, consider applying a shade slightly darker than the one you want to achieve. 

Beware of excess water

Water and ink are very compatible, but if the surface is too wet, the ink will spread uncontrollably. Work with light layers and let it dry between each application. 

Work from light to dark

When you start applying the different values, make sure to use the lightest tones first, then gradually layer on the darker shades, finishing with the darkest blacks.

The line drawing can be done at the end. But if you feel it’s necessary to do it from the beginning to guide you, that can work too.

How to create an ink wash painting step by step 

Start with a simple sketch of a butterfly in 2H pencil, then remove the excess graphite with a kneaded eraser or a small brush. Also, erase any unnecessary lines that could interfere with the final result.

Next, take a pen or a fine brush to mark the outlines. Vary the thickness and intensity of the lines for a more organic and expressive effect: the deep black of the ink will naturally give them a lot of presence.

   

Now apply the wash, starting with the lightest shade to establish the overall atmosphere. Remember to reserve the areas of light by leaving the paper white.

Then, build up the volumes with successive layers, gradually intensifying the shadows. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next to ensure clean and sharp transitions. If you already feel more confident, you can also try creating gradients directly in the still-wet ink.

India ink wash painting is a much simpler technique than it appears, and the results it can produce are truly surprising. I hope this article has inspired you to try it out for yourself.