Can you use acrylic ink like watercolour? FW, Magic Color and Liquitex acrylic ink
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- This week I inherited a collection of acrylic inks - FW (Daler Rowney), Liquitex and Magic Color (Speedry). Though I've used white and sepia FW in the past for line and wash, I've never really put them through their paces, so I thought it would be fun to see if the different brands can mix, whether one is better than the other, and how exactly they behave.
What is acrylic ink? Well, its artist pigment in an acrylic emulsion - basically, really fluid acrylic paint. But because it is pigment based they are highly light fast and fade proof. Because it's acrylic, they are waterproof once dry. The big question is, are they shiny and plastic or do they look and behave like watercolour?
First, I swatch out the colours and see how transparent they are. This was quite a revelation, as they are beautiful. I compared FW and Magic Color white, and the Magic Color was more opaque (and cheaper!!). Next I try them in a fountain pen (I was very concerned it would ruin my pen) and used a metal nib and a glass dip pen too. All very exciting! Finally, I tried layering, lifting and wet in wet techniques, plus threw in some salt.
I am really excited by the results. If you are wanting to layer and preserve transparency, these inks are fabulous. If you want soft and lost edges, I might stick to watercolour.
In the film I mention two other films - here are the links:
Glass dip pen review: • How good are glass dip...
Using a Magic Eraser: • How to use magic erase...
Each week I share a watercolour tip, trick or technique on Sunday at 2pm UK time. If you have enjoyed this please like and subscribe and hit the notification bell. If there is ever a topic you'd like explored, just leave a comment.
For more of my work please go to www.lizchaderton.co.uk and for online courses please visit www.lizchadertonstudio.co.uk. - Розваги
This video was so helpful. I thank you for answering the questions that I had about acrylic ink.
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Liz, can I pass a couple of tips on. I've found Acrylic inks really prone to separation over time and thus are very hard to mix. Adding 3-4 tiny stainless steel ball bearings to each bottle obviate these problems and saves tons of time. Also I like De Atrementis Document ink which is safe for fountain pens and waterproof when dry. (It comes in some lovely colours as well as black and they are all intermixable too !) Personally I wouldn't trust Acrylic ink in a favourite fountain pen as carelessness with cleaning some of my dip pens has glued up their nibs irrevocably.
brilliant ball bearing tip! what a great idea. I like the De Trementis ink too. if it were a Mont Blanc pen I wouldn’t have risked it but it worked a treat in the Lamy. Great tips. I love learning something new.
Glad you liked it - we are all in this journey together ! I have also found beefing up a feeble black ink by mixing in a dark blue can be handy. Keep up the good work.
Great tip. I have been painting with them for many years now and some brands/colors are really very difficult to mix again. (FW turquoise for eg is hell for me). And little steel ball bearings, where could they be sold ? Thank you.
Search for paint agitator balls online. Make sure that their stainless steel 1/8 inch. 100 will be plenty. The ones I got aren't available now but there are plenty of inexpensive alternatives out there. I hope this helps.
@%F0%9F%98%80UCDMc42lEsYECGgq6S_we0GA Thank you! If you look for the next video (or maybe the one after next) that's just what I did!
I really enjoyed this video. Great to see all the techniques. I was so happy see that the ink works in fountain pens.
I was surprised and relieved! I still wouldn’t use it in an expensive one!
Really informative, Liz. I was given some and have never used the acrylic inks through lack of knowledge. Revelation! Expertly delivered tutorial.
I’m really excited to paint with them! And I think they might be great on canvas too. But I’ll report back!
I love my acrylic inks, and use them often. But, I still managed to learn a lot from you today. Thank you!
I have not mastered my new glass dip pen, so am thrilled you have a video dedicated to it. I’m heading there now. 😊
hope it all helps!
Thank you for your generosity
My pleasure!
Very timely that you did this! Thank you! I have been. Curious about these inks, and you have now I spired me to shop for some…
Any excuse!
Thank you! I'm putting together a Wish List for Christmas and now know that I want to try these.
I hope you are in Santa’s good list…
I’m getting excited about using them as an underpainting wash for pastel paintings on sanded paper!!! Wish me luck! Thank you for the inspiration
that sounds really exciting! good luck!
Thank you this very informative video. I bought myself a set of Magic color today and I have never tried them before.
Have fun playing!
Thank you Liz, I’ve just bought some inks but not used yet, so this was very helpful 😊
They are loads of fun. Get them out today!
Great video..very helpful. Now I can get my inks out and experiment. Been collecting now need to apply. Thanks Liz
That’s great. I think we all have little collections which need to come out and play!
Have got some, but don' t use them often, as I lo love a soft edge...BUT they work really well with granulation fluid, particularly the FW Sepia. Thanks for the great video!
I didn’t experiment with granulation fluid.thanks for the tip!
Thanks Liz, great video. I have some of the Magic Colour ones and did try them on mixed media board but not on watercolour paper, will have to do some experimentation. Think they will be great with line and wash work as the colours will stay vibrant. Look forward to seeing what you do with them further. 🙂
I’m excited to try. and I think they might be good on watercolour canvas to get round the lifting and layering issues.
Very helpful video. I've wondered about these inks.
Glad it was helpful!
I love them on watercolour cotton paper as a base. You can add acrylic gouache and inktense, then watercolour or traditional gouache at the end to soften areas. I just bought some about 2 months ago and I'm hooked. The granulating fluid works best with the more opaque ones. I'd try the red earth one again, it might need a shake...
I’ll be more vigorous!
Very infourmative!!! I especially liked how you decided not to squash that lil' bug flitting about!!!!🙏
😂 I try to live and let live!
For my line and wash paintings I have Noodler’s Lexington Gray ink in my Hong Dian Forest fountain pen with a fude nib. It’s a nice ink as it’s not so dramatic as black, but a darker option would be De Atramentis document ink in black.
I wouldn’t dare risk putting acrylic ink in my fountain pens as the clogging effect may not be apparent straight away. Brian Goulet at Goulet Pens has warned against doing it too.
Thanks for the demo Liz, I enjoyed watching it.
Hi Elaine - I’ve use De Atramentis too. I wouldn’t put acrylic ink in a fine pen. The Safari is pretty robust and I washed it through very thoroughly straight after. I keep meaning to try the Lexington grey. So many people love it!
@@LizChadertonArt Yes the Lexington is very good because I can paint straight over it as it dries immediately it’s on the paper. I lose my creative flow if I have to wait for ink to dry.
I would not use them in my fountain pens but they work really well with dip pens. I always out a 1/4 inch ball bearing in all of my inks (especially any metallic inks) as you can shake all day and never get them completely mixed. I think that the conversion would be somewhere around 4-6 mm. Better check with your local hardware store but they really work a treat for mixing.
Thank you! You are the second person to suggest this and it is a brilliant idea. Will be getting some as soon as I go near a hardware shop!
Great review! I’ve always wondered about these 👍🏼
glad it helped 😊
I so enjoy your videos
thank you so much
You can get get coloured Indian inks too which are just as much fun. I’ve used them on canvas. Like acrylic ink you can’t lift them but they layer beautifully & are very clear & bright & no need for schminke aquafix!
Let's hope someone gives me a stash of those soon!!!
Liz, thank you for taking the time to test these. Very helpful, was wondering if/how the comparison would work (to lazy to try)! I’m nothing if not honest 😂
love the honesty!
Dear Liz,
There is a Sailor ink in blue/black permanent, called, "Sei boku". It is a finely ground pigment ink, ground to the very small nanometer particle size and it is made in Japan. This is my exception for a pigment ink in a fountain pen. I would use this in a great fountain pen or a cheaper one. I love the old version of the red pilot desk pen. This ink is quick drying, and I love it in an EF nib, a fairly dry ink. It is like a panther jumping over the top of you. A truly wonderful, amazing and delightful experience.
I like the sketch ink by R & K, "Emma", as it is an olive that is waterproof and quick drying for words, borders and sketching. My new favourite.
The pigment ink, and acrylic inks can over time, thicken and harden in feeds, nibs, and cartridges. You can soak them in Goulet's pen flush, which is a weak ammonia solution. I soak my pens in it, for a week or overnight. If you were going to use just one pen for pigment ink, and you wash it out after every use, and say it is under 20 dollars, then perhaps tag it with some washi tape, "for acrylic pigments only". I wouldn't use them in really nice dip nibs either. I use a set of brushes for ink only, others for watercolour, and some for gouache and never the twain they meet!
Here is a fun fact. A lot of the shimmer colours for fountain pen inks are dye based with huge particles of mica. Expensive by the bottle, fancy, they can be used in fountain pens, and they do clog! So some people only use these specialty inks in one particular pen too, or they wash them out. The size of these shimmer particles would be much larger than pigments ground!
The best solution for you with these fun inks, is to stick with the glass nib as a dip pen with these. Or pick up some twigs, branches to make your own tools. You can also try a few handmade Japanese rice or mulberry papers.
Interesting to know that the Magic Colour brand, was more of an opaque white and better then FW!
Thanks for your video, it was fun to watch. xx
In kindred spirit,
Eliza MB Day
Friday 5th of August 2022
9:56pm
Dulwich Hill, Australia
xx
gosh, thank you! that’s all great information.ni will look at the inks as I don’t know half of those. how many inks and pens do you think there are in the world? the ins boggles….
@@LizChadertonArt Yes, quite a lot, and seasonal ones, I don't bother with the expensive part of the hobby. I prefer the EF nibs from Japan. (Pilot, Sailor, Platinum)
Easiest way to consider these, is to take a photo of my thread!
Have a great day, Liz
In kindred spirit
Eliza
Australia x
@@michemman already had!😃
Obrigado pelos vídeos. Estou aprendendo. Muito bons!
you are welcome!
Thank you so much for your video!
You are so welcome!
Do you have any suggestions on waterproof black paint, pens?
@@hshwhitten I’m not sure what type you mean? If you mean an acrylic marker, Posca are hard to beat but I have just started using ohuhu acrylic markers and I am impressed so far
Thank you
You're welcome
I have a couple of Schmincke acrylic inks and love the way they spread and feather, but I have found that you have to drop very sparingly as they can easily take over the painting.
yes they are very highly pigmented.
Thank you! Ahhh, i finely got it, dyes are the liquid off the pigment, therefore, thinner and fade. Whereas, paint has the pigment, therefore, more lightfast because the actual substance is the color, is this correct? Your videos are so informative. Love watching you create!
Dye consists of dye molecules dissolved in water; paint consists of pigment and binder in water, so generally dyes are not lightfast and pigments are BUT some pigments are fugitive. I know it’s confusing but on the whole dyes are less light fast than pigments and that’s a pretty good guide😊
Didn't expect them to be see through.
I was pleasantly surprised!
Excellent video, thank you! I may have missed it, but did anyone catch if the acrylic inks dry with a shine? Or do they dry matte?
They dry matte!
How did the ink affect your paint brushes?Did the ink rinse out? I was afraid it would build up on the brush. Thanks!
As long as you wash immediately and thoroughly it is fine. pay special attention to the heel if the brush. I use the inside of half a tennis ball and soap/water
Thanks so MUCH! Very helpful. Have u ever tried Dr. Martin's white ink? It is very opaque. Was wondering how the Magic Colour ink white compares. All good things to u.
💜😊💜
Yes I have but a while ago, if you mean the bleed proof white? from memory, it was more opaque, but also more viscous and rather prone to drying up in the jar.
Love this but now I want to buy acrylic inks!!!
ooops! sorry about that 😂
Can I use these in resin? Thank you.
I’m sorry, but I have never used resin. Given that acrylic ink are ultra fluid acrylics, I would guess the answer is yes, but I would do more research. sorry not to be able to help.
what a windfall, and useful swatches, and tests, etc. But you should never put acrylic ink or India ink in a fountain pen! Only FP ink. In the US, Platinum's Carbon Black is the most popular waterproof black ink, and is used by many artists and writers.
I was very hesitant, but the bottle said you could and I flushed it immediately. I use Carbon Black and Noodlers….
Please don't use them in your Lamy, ink will dry and clot some parts irrevocably. And I've been using white FW on grey and even black stones for years now and it works very well. There must be something wrong.
Thank you! I think I mentioned that I washed it out immediately (and very thoroughly!!) after use - you are right, if it dried it would be the end of the pen. The manufacturers say that you can use it, so i wanted to test it out. I was very nervous.... the pen is fine since. I was surprised at the FW too as the inks have such a great reputation.