Sketching a doorway using soluble ink and water

This a very rough video made for a sketching class to show how one might go about sketching using soluble ink and water. It's in real time with no cuts or edits. There was no pencil underdrawing or guidelines, so what you see is rather raw.

[@g-r-a-e-m-e-]

I like this technique. It adds a magical quality to pen drawings.

[@edithdemshar8158]

This is a great video! I am inspired to try this with some small sketching projects soon!

[@jonsephtonatgaleriejs7799]

Thanks and good luck. The great thing about this technique is all you need is a fine nib pen and any normal fountain pen ink.

[@claudiahemmings2080]

Excellent demo of how to produce a quick tonal sketch. I have a Rotring Art Pen with the Rotring black cartridges and it really is a great tool - so versatile.

[@jonsephtonatgaleriejs7799]

Thanks Claudia. I also use 'Diamine' inks which are water soluble and available in a great range of colours.

[@antachanam5296]

Love your drawings...keep up the good work...

[@jonsephtonatgaleriejs7799]

Thank you Anta. I'll try and post more this summer.

[@rr12beh3]

Perfect👍👍👌👌

[@5argan]

What papers do you prefer for this technique?

[@jonsephtonatgaleriejs7799]

Hi - This demo was drawn in a Stillman & Birn sketchbook, but any watercolour paper works well. 'Not' or 'Hot Pressed' paper works better for me as the nib catches on rough paper. Using watercolour paper stops the paper getting soggy when using the waterbrush.

[@5argan]

@@jonsephtonatgaleriejs7799 thank you

[@SDW90808]

You don't say what ink you used in your waterbrush. I've used Speedball India ink but even diluted it is still rather dark. When I add enough water to get the shade I want I get the "bloom" typical in watercolor. I have had pretty good results with a pen with watersoluble ink, i.e. Sailors and using a wet brush to activate it after drawing. I may try using Noodler's Black in my waterbrush. Thank you for sharing. PS: You can get a very cool, albeit similar effect with Dewint watersoluble graphite. PPS: Nicely done, I might add!

[@jonsephtonatgaleriejs7799]

Hi Steven. Thanks for your kind comments. To answer your question, there's only water in the waterbrush! The Rotring pen is using Rotring's black ink which is water-soluble. The brush dissolves the ink on the paper and spreads it around. It picks up ink a bit off the paper which sometimes makes it look like there's ink in the brush, but it's just water. Basically, water-soluble ink is the key. I use Diamine inks more often for the same effect.