Which ink is best for drawing?

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Drawing with the right ink can elevate your artwork, adding depth, precision, and vibrancy. Whether you’re into detailed illustrations, bold lines, or intricate shading, choosing the best ink is crucial. 

From waterproof and fade resistant pens to traditional India ink and technical pens, each type offers unique qualities that cater to different styles and needs.

Get ready to explore the best inks for drawing, and find out which one will help you bring your artistic visions to life! 🖋️🎨✨

Finding the perfect ink can be tough and expensive for artists. We’ve made it easier by highlighting some of the best ones. For detailed results, check out the test results section of this guide. 🖋️🎨

Darkest Drawing Inks

Dark inks are fantastic for scanning and digital coloring because they scan cleanly and need little editing for crisp lines. Here are some of the darkest inks available.

Deleter Black 4 Manga Ink

  • This ink lives up to its Extra Dark name, being the darkest among those tested.
  • Black 1 and Black 2 are also very dark; Black 1 dries faster, while Black 2 is darker and glossier.
  • Black 2 is thicker and creates a raised texture when applied heavily, whereas Black 1 and 4 dry flatter.

Kaimei Drawing Pen Ink

  • Incredibly dark and crisp, perfect for drawing with energy.
  • Not water-safe but Copic-safe and doesn’t lift when erased.
  • Slow to dry, so it’s not for those worried about smudging.

Dr. Ph. Martin’s Black Star Hicarb Waterproof India Ink

  • Ultra-dark and packed with carbon black pigment for a deep finish with a slight gloss.
  • Lifts slightly when applied with a brush, but lines with a nib have no issues.
  • Water-safe but smudges a bit under alcohol-based markers.
  • The bottle neck is narrow, so it’s easier to transfer the ink to another container or use an eyedropper.

Kaimei Drawing Pen Ink

  • Has a glossy finish on paper.
  • Reactive to water but stays crisp under Copics.
  • Less glossy if applied lightly with a brush.
  • White gel pens may create parallel lines instead of a solid one on this ink.

Deleter Manga Ink Black 2

  • Dries with a wonderful gloss finish.
  • Marker-safe but erasing dulls the gloss slightly.
  • Feels a bit sticky when writing or drawing.
  • Nib lines dry raised from the page.

Kuretake Black Manga Ink

  • Very dark with a glossy shine when dry.
  • Water-resistant but smudges under Copics.
  • Lifts more when applied with a brush.
  • Thick lines from a nib dry slightly raised.

Kuretake ZIG Cartoonist Sumi Ink 60

  • Ultra glossy and resistant to lifting.
  • Copic-proof but vulnerable to water.
  • Writes drier than Manga Ink and suited to fine lines.
  • Dries slowly with a slight 3D texture on heavy nib lines.

Speedball Super Black India Ink

  • Deep black color with a matte finish.
  • Water- and Copic-proof.
  • Dries quickly and doesn’t smudge when erased.
  • Great for beginners.

Kaimei Black Manga Ink

  • Kaimei Black Manga Ink is a beautiful velvety black. 
  • It’s very resistant to water and Copic markers.
  • Erasing makes it slightly shinier and lifts lightly applied ink. 

Drawing with it feels bold and energetic, and thick nib lines dry with a slight raised texture.

Higgins Eternal Ink

  • It’s slightly gray with a cool tone and is marker-safe. When used with a brush, it looks dappled.
  • It smears under water but the lines stay clear, making it great for fun ink wash effects.
  • It lifts a bit when erased and can tint water-based inks gray.
  • It’s thin and smooth, making it fun to draw with.
  • Higgins Eternal Ink isn’t the darkest, but it has a unique charm.

Waterproof and Marker-Proof Inks

These inks are great for adding color without ruining your lines:

Deleter Black 4 Manga Ink

  • Waterproof and alcohol-marker-proof.
  • Deep glossy black, resists lifting, and dries quickly.
  • Top performer in all tests.

Kuretake ZIG Cartoonist Super Black Ink 60

  • As dark as Deleter Black 4, non-reactive to water and Copics.
  • Lifts only when applied thinly, dries faster than Deleter Black 4.
  • Very opaque with a dip pen but might need re-inking with a brush.

J. Herbin Dip Pen India Ink

  • No smearing with water or markers.
  • Lifts slightly with vigorous erasing.
  • Deep black with a semi-gloss finish, can separate.
  • Needs to be fully mixed before use.

Quick-Drying Inks

Smudging and smearing can be a real hassle for artists. A single smeared line might mean starting your whole piece over. These fast-drying inks help keep your art clean, but remember that quick-drying inks can clog nibs and need timely cleaning.

Higgins Black Magic Ink

  • Dries almost immediately.
  • Water and marker-safe, and resists erasing.
  • It’s a wet writer and can feather on many papers, appearing more “dark gray” than black.

Tachikawa Jet Black Ink

  • Dries very quickly.
  • Super dark, doesn’t budge under water or marker.
  • Matte unless applied thickly, and only lifts when applied thinly.
  • The wide-neck bottle is easy to dip into and hard to knock over, but doesn’t hold much ink, making it pricey.
  • Fun and dynamic to draw with.

Kuretake Black Manga Ink

  • Dries quickly with minimal smearing after ten seconds and none after a minute.
  • Deep glossy black finish and waterproof.
  • Brush application lifts after erasing, and nib application can smudge with Copics.

Other Interesting Inks

J. Herbin Dip Pen Authentic Ink

  • Creates a beautiful mottled effect and interesting ghosting.
  • An Iron Gall ink made with traditional methods; not archival.
  • Best used on high-quality paper as it can bleed through and wick through fibers.

These inks offer a range of features to keep your artwork looking great. Happy drawing! 🎨🖋️