India ink

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

India ink, also called Indian ink or China ink, is a simple black (or colored) ink used for drawing, outlining, and writing. It’s known for a deep, rich black and is popular for comics and cartoons, as well as some medical uses.

What it’s made of and how it’s used: Basic ink is carbon black suspended in water. It doesn’t always need a binder, so it can dry as a waterproof layer on paper. Some inks include binders like gelatin or shellac to make them more durable when dry. You can buy it bottled as a liquid or as a solid inkstick, which you grind with water on an inkstone to make ink. Depending on the binder, it may be waterproof or not.

Origins and history: China developed this type of ink a long time ago, and the name “India ink” came from trade with India. Early records show carbon-black inks used on many surfaces in ancient China and India. In East Asia, ink was often made from pine soot or lampblack, ground or pressed into sticks, and rehydrated with water when you wanted to use it. Over the centuries, inkmakers also explored different soot sources and methods, and the ink’s deep, lasting black helped it become highly valued around the world.

Modern use: Today, India ink is favored by artists for its strong, dark line and permanence. It’s still common in traditional brush painting and calligraphy and remains a staple for outlining and inking in comics and other drawings.