The Complete Beginner's Guide to Watercolor Inks

[@toshabeans]

It's worth mentioning that the acrylic in the acrylic inks is what differentiates it from true liquid watercolor, which should still be re-wettable, and might limit the layering (due to the plasticising of the acrylic once it's dry) :)

[@jerriemaksimowski8620]

I have been using Dr. PH Martin Hydrus and the Radiant liquid watercolors and I am loving them!

[@plainsailingmotivation7864]

As someone who hasn’t used this medium yet this the most useful video I have watched. Thank you so much

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

💕💕

[@elisiataylor]

Loved this! I was just starting to research watercolor inks; inspired by the intensity of colors in your designs 😊

[@AKAHeatherJoy]

I am so excited to get some of these liquid colors to experiment with! I absolutely love bright, vibrant colors! Thank you for sharing your skills and talents.

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

Love how you described the combination of colours that you’ve punched in “Fun colour rivers”

[@Janartable]

Thanks Jenna! I got a cheap set to try out and see if I liked them. I put them right to paper and it sunk into the paper and that was it! Now I will go back and try wet on wet and a few blending tricks you showed. Thanks so much!

[@KayLodahl1]

With what little I know about this subject, I would think that your paper should be very high quality...

[@cordeeskywalker4074]

Ooooh, I have been waiting for this!! Thank you!

[@EmmaLefebvre]

So beautiful! You make me want to try all of the things!

[@4streegrrrl601]

do it! I follow you and Jenna, and have a set of Hydra liquid watercolours that I got cheap when our local art supply store was closing (*sad face*). I've dabbled but haven't really figured out the best way to incorporate them since the colours are super intense and not as flexible to use because of the dyes - a little freaky for a new-to-watercolour dabbler! I was happy to see this new video roll up on Jenna's channel and I've learned some things. :)

[@jesswoodhere]

Same!!

[@suzannehulton2571]

Me too

[@nicoleaubry6944]

how fun.... another thing to attempt. I love watching you teach us to "try"

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

Yuuup Nicole I love that sentiment that Jenna teaches us that we could all “try”

[@TheBlaster85]

There is a bit of misinformation in the video, the only inks that are watercolor are those that can be reactivated again with water after drying on the palette, and they are pigment-based just like normal watercolors, the difference lies in the great diluted of the paint, the others are just inks, or super diluted acrylics, which obviously will not be activated again with water and maybe they are labeled as watercolors to sell. Even if you take a regular tube of acrylic and dilute it with a lot of water, the watercolor effect can be created. The only pigmented liquid watercolors I know of are Dr Ph Martins Hydrus, Daler-Rowney Aquafine and Aquadrop schmincke. There would also be dye inks that can be reactivated but are not lightfast, Dr Ph Martins Radiant and Ecoline, etc.

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

2:00 Jenna goes pretty in depth explaining which brands she’s using and which ones are watercolour versus which ones are acrylic 👍 I think the goal of the video is to have fun exploring and playing with a diverse range of products or colours

[@corriemcginnis4400]

Yeah, I have to agree with you. Colored liquid in a bottle doesn't nessasarly equal liquid watercolor or watercolor ink.

[@spiritedblossomart]

I agree. I have the Ecoline liquid watercolors and was kind of worried that I wouldn't be able to reactivate them once dry on the palette after hearing what Jenna said about the ones she uses. But mine definitely do reactivate with water, so I think it's just a difference of watercolor vs. acrylic. It looks like they all behave similarly when painted with though.

[@ohbli_oh]

It isn’t the most clear video. One thing to note with watering down acrylic a lot if anyone wants to do that is that you must use an acrylic medium. If it’s watered down too much then the acrylic binder will break down and it can flake off your substrate/canvas, paper etc. acrylic inks will have a special liquid binder to stop this. Hrdrus which is a liquid Pigment watercolour as opposed to Dye ink does also have occasional problems rewetting, leaving dried speckled bits in the liquid.

[@melodylemonde]

So, how do alcohol inks differ? I bought some, seemingly by mistake, as I'm told one must wear protective gear etc while using them... ?

[@kle1701]

Such an informative video! Thank you! The first ‘professional’ watercolors I purchased were Dr. Ph Martin’s Hydrus watercolors. I eventually purchased all 3 sets. The vibrancy is amazing and I love that they are lightfast. They can be reactivated if they dry on my palette (but the reactivated colors are not quite as vibrant). A downside to these sets is a lack of color choices. There are only 36 so you need to do a lot of mixing. But boy, oh boy. The colors you get are amazingly bright! The earth tones separate a lot, but the others are amazing. Second downside is consistency. My preferred style of watercolor is very detailed - botanical and naturalist. In these styles you need to be able to use different ‘thicknesses’ of paint and the liquid colors take more practice to be able to control them. I’m sure there is a way to do it, but I have not figured out how to thicken them. So, I eventually set my liquids aside and use them infrequently. I purchased Windsor and Newton professional tubes, which I absolutely LOVE and use most often. But I really think that if I could figure out how to let go and do a loose watercolor style, the Dr Ph Martin liquid ones would be better. An eye opener in your video was the use of the white. The hydrus paints have a white that I have never used, simply because I did not know what to do with it. But now I do. Thank you! I am ready to pull the liquids out and experiment some more.

[@jillbooker7970]

Thanks for this info video Jenna! Wondering if you have tried the “Dr. PH Martin Hydrus” line? It’s a liquid pigment based watercolor so it’s lightfast as well as transparent and vibrant. Can also rewet and use after it’s dried on pallet. I’m loving them ✌🏼🎨

[@mariaalejandracardozo3879]

Those are my dream, must be better than Aquafines I guess.

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

I loooooove using inks! Slightly different viscosity to watercolour So excited to see what you’ve created with them

[@aprilmcdonald1063]

I’m so glad u followed ur heart and are making ur dreams come true 💕

[@Merryknees1]

Thank you very much for all your very helpful advice and showing us your process

[@kimmip4202]

Thank you so much for how giving you are with your time. I’ve learned so much from you. 💗

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

Seeing the intensity of the tangerine next to the cadmium orange 🍊 wow, I can see why you’re obsessed with them

[@paranoiarpincess]

Tl;dr at end for storage tip! My favourite medium of all time is pen and ink. I didn't have it for the longest time as I'm decently poor (I'm talking 20k a year poor) and wanted fairly good quality stuff. I basically had been putting off doing inktober until I had the supplies I wanted, and could go absolutely all out with my pieces, instead of just doodling with a ball point pen, which would have been my alternative (I had microns but didn't think of them as "ink" at the time.) One day I was explaining all of this to my fiance, who is also my finance-ay (word I just made up to mean he handles the finances because he's better at it. So instead of juggling numbers I just ask him if I can have things) and he said "well then why don't you just get the inks then, if that's what's holding you back?" I went sparkley eyed and they were ordered the second I got home. I got Winsor and Newton. The first year I did Inktober I failed. Oh I failed so hard. Making a fully finished, full colour, essentially a painting with penned in outlines every single day is _not_ even remotely sustainable lol. But it was fun, I ended up with multiple pieces if work I'm still proud of, and most importantly, I learned. I nearly even didn't fail the next year! And that was the year my art finally leveled up after over a decade! But I digress. In that first year, I found myself doing a LOT of mixing. I only bought 8 hues, and my go to subject matter is people. All I have to say about that is: consistent skin tones lol. So I came up with a storage method I'm not sure many others think of. I had been told in high school that a preferred storage container for painters were empty film cannisters. Problem: no one uses film anymore. I, however, am disabled and I take more pills than anyone has any business taking (I only take what I'm prescribed, it's just a lot. I have three whole autoimmune diseases... well that we know about. I'm pretty sure I have a 4th we are trying to pinpoint.) Basically what I've been angling to get at through this whole unnecessary story is, I use my old empty pill bottles to store my mixed ink. It works SO well. It's not forever as it will evaporate out very little bits at a time, but I still have a couple of them that hadn't dried out, which was 4 YEARS ago! So if you have to take medication, or know someone who does, maybe ask them for some of their empty pill bottles. I suggest telling them why you want them though. It's a little strange otherwise. I use prescription specific bottles, but you can also likely use things like tylenol bottles. Prescription bottles usually are smaller and easier to store though, and don't absorb the dye like I imagine the squishier bottles would. Tl;dr if you need to store paint, ink, dye, or any other liquid medium in small to medium painting sized amounts, consider using prescription pill bottles. It helps the planet as well as to conserve your mixed colours! Happy arting!

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

“finance-ay” what a brilliant word! I guess he likes the nickname too

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

Great storage tips! Wish you all the best with your health 🙏

[@paranoiarpincess]

@@watercolourartincapetown2919 thank you very much, and about the "nickname" I don't know, he's sleeping and I just made it up haha.

[@tracyshillington5894]

I just bought a few of W&N inks, and your tutorial was so helpful!! Thank you!.

[@theresaavery4670]

Thanks! I was wondering about these!

[@lilithart5614]

Just bought some Ph Martin's radiant concentrated watercolors (dye based) . This video came just in time.

[@loriannferraioli2698]

Awesome. So beautiful. Another new medium to try. Thank you.

[@Crumbbaby]

I'm so glad you're using liquid watercolors Jenna! My favorite is the Dandelion Paint Co liquid watercolors! But I will definitely try out the Bombay white ink for that milky look! Gorgeous!

[@beadsbylara]

I like the Dandelion too and it rewets no problem.

[@elizabethhumphrey9055]

Love the fact that Dandelion dye based colors rehydrate, but they don’t lift very well

[@Crumbbaby]

Yes I have no issues with reactivating dried dandelion paint. And I’ve noticed a big issue with lifting too. I’m going to also invest in a palette with winsor and Newton colors like Jenna so I can lift and blend better on certain paintings!

[@zeldacheri]

The Dandelion paints are dye-based, which means they are not lightfast -- in case that's important to you and/or you're displaying your work in brightly lit rooms or selling your art.

[@Crumbbaby]

@@zeldacheri thank you for that detail! That’s super important!

[@MS-kb9tn]

Great info Jenna! Question - do you use your regular watercolor brushes and how do you clean them?

[@sufancheng]

Thanks for your good and detail teaching for us !

[@hazelsmith9198]

Thank you. Nobody else has given a cogent explanation of this medium.

[@crumcakesx4]

This is really cool. Love the detailed explanation and demo. I have a 12 pack of Dr Martin’s inks that might not be the same, but have a similar look. I’ll be sure to break open my pack today. I didn’t catch where you find your jars.

[@suzannehulton2571]

I love this I have watercolor ink paint now I know a lot more thanks, also love the bangs

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

I use the Vallejo brand of watercolour ink (dye based) and acrylic inks (they have the same dropper bottle like the dealer rowney) . They’re a really affordable Spanish brand. Great colour range too.

[@estariplanet7237]

I have just started using Windsor and Newton inks and what I like about them is what remains in the palette can be used again when mixed with water.

[@mariamyre9778]

Love your palettes 😍

[@mariabergman3813]

I really appreciate your direct teaching style without unnecessary chatting or background music...which to me distracts from the purpose of the video. Thank you!

[@toxicityisforalesson]

Thanks for a great video. I don't know that I would use this medium.

[@stas61690]

I've worried about using my good watercolor brush with anything that says acrylic. Maybe I'm being too precious. I did use my watercolor brushes with liquid watercolor (Dandelion) it seemed to be able to rehydrate, but it was very faint and it did clean out of my palette. I think they also work pretty well on cheap paper - fun to use!

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

Yeah I think they’re great with cheaper paper. I could even manage a few practice pieces on printer paper

[@aroosajamshaid]

very informative tutorial, thanks for this

[@keariewashburn4680]

Love your video😊 thank you. Very pretty

[@mariamyre9778]

Qor watercolors have a wonderful spread when dropped into water just like watercolorinks. Probably great to combine.

[@KayLodahl1]

the "exploding" factor is what intrigues me with the inks.. I have some Qor paints and must try.

[@BamSlam32]

Beautiful!

[@gilashroot8697]

I really enjoyed this video and learned a lot. I was wondering what the difference is between watercolour ink and Derwent Inktense colors? Such beautiful paintings. Do you have more videos and tutorials in this medium please. Thank you.

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

I've been tempted by the Winsor and Newton ones for a while. 😊 Have you tried Viviva colour sheets? I didn't 'get' them at first but now they're one of my favourite portable mediums. Viviva have also started doing pans in a Cork 'pallette'. I also like Derwent Inktense. 😊 The Pastel colour palette is so pretty! 😁

[@Ms1lonewolf]

Thank you Jenna for the tutorial. I've been debating whether I want to try inks or not?? It looks awesome but I have to much money wrapped up in the professional watercolors and paper that I can't spend the money 💰 right now on it. I bought one bottle red but haven't used it yet. I was afraid I won't be able to get the ink totally out of my brushes?? Does it come out of your brushes completely so it don't ruin your brush? Have a good day 👍. 😊🇺🇸🏝️ FLORIDA 🌞.

[@daniellecloss2270]

May I suggest Dr. Ph, Martins? That is what I thought I was about to see. I would love to see your reaction to that, as it will re-wet because it is watercolor.

[@pippaloves]

Now I want to play with white inks!

[@susierubio1096]

Jenna, thanks for the tip. using jars. also Is will this work with Bombay. I bought this 2 years ago. Have used it probably 3 times. But not like the way you use it. I'm gonna try your way. Thank you

[@susanthies885]

Wow!!!

[@cathylathrop8104]

I didn’t know the DalerRowney aqua fine was acrylic ink. I thought the DalerRowney FW was the Acrylic ink.? Do you know the difference ?

[@gailgray6600]

Thank you for this. Can you tell me why you would use WC inks over acrylic inks - is one better or just different ? Cheers.

[@wanderingcreativity]

Thanks Friend

[@sharpemh]

brilliant

[@Horsewoman-pt2ku]

I wonder if you added mineral spirits to the dried inks if that would revive them. Or alcohol. I wonder. I love my acrylic inks and Bombay inks. Have you tried ph martins watercolors? They r very vibrant

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

I wonder if you could life out the watercolour with mineral spirits

[@minettam1]

Your dropper is called a pipette! They’re handy to have around and use.

[@carmensol34]

Question, if you wash your container before the liquid paint dries, it wash it ok? Or doesn’t?

[@Bloomkyaaa]

I bought those Bombay Inks and forgot all about the poor things. Time to pull em out!

[@andreatorraca8755]

Tks…..explains a lot…..

[@tawandasue]

Could you use these in a water brush?

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

I use my Vallejo dye-based watercolour ink in a water brush. It’s pretty cool to use. If it stains the brush I just rinse it with some vinegar

[@lynetterosario5697]

Can watercolor inks be used on store bought canvases? Thanx! Lilly

[@ennelle2024]

Do the inks dry out if you leave them out? Can they be reused if they do? I heard you say they cant be resued. I assume they just flake off pallette then

[@funnyg460]

Thank you for video just wondering are your jars plastic or glass or does it not matter? Just thought it may stain plastic and if you wanted to use jar for different color then there would be a problem. Also does your palette clean off with solvent or something or is it like that forever. Thank you again.

[@dariabuczynski9711]

How do you clean your pallets? Or do you just let it dry?

[@The_LousyArtist]

Beginner here, I am struggling with brushwork. What kind of exercises I can do to get good at brushwork?

[@suzannesonnier2496]

She has a Beginners Guide to Watercolor tutorial.

[@smkdesigns24]

Can you cleaning the plate after using the liquid or is it permanent on the plate?

[@julieo8017]

I am a little confused Are any of the products used today actually "watercolour inks"? I have experience with water soluble products, some that dry permanently and some that can be reset and worked. I see nothing today that is watercolour ink

[@veronicamarcano3540]

TY! Will love a follow up video on mixing colours - like more detailed ;-)

[@Joan4me]

Could you tightly wrap the mixing pallets with Saran Wrap to save the inks?

[@suzannesonnier2496]

I have. Depending on where you live & how tightly it was wrapped you can rewet the liquid Ecoline…. Not the acrylic ink.

[@lilymarie626]

Aqua ink is rehydratable!

[@lilymarie626]

And it doesn’t stain like the ink

[@darrenfromla]

can i use india ink with synthetic sable?

[@pippaloves]

How does one clean the palettes?

[@joanpringle-canning2834]

🤗🤗💖💖

[@karenkotze3175]

How do you clean your pallet?

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

I think you could use mineral spirits but vinegar or hand sanitizer could work

[@joycesnodgrass7068]

Will the acrylic ink damage my watercolor brushes?

[@marydaly3163]

Why did you take the inks from the original bottle and put in the jars?

[@bonniemosesart]

inks usually can be reactivated with alcohol, correct? Why wouldn’t the acrylic inks be able to do that? Unless they’re using the term ink very, very loosely.

[@kittyc.4462]

There are some erroneous statements here. I’ve been working with watercolor inks daily for about a year and I’ve yet to come across a watercolor ink that doesn’t rewet! I use PH Martin’s radiant watercolor and Hydrus- all colors rewet fine. Lifting is also totally possible but depends on the PAPER. Heavyweight cotton obviously absorbs the dye but if you want clean lifting, chose a paper with a percentage synthetic content. The inks will lift even when it’s been dry for days.

[@veronicamarcano3540]

Trying these inks with gusto BUT they stain your hands (for a couple of hours) so be careful! While watching other videos to get a more in depth understanding of the inks, I’ve found out that they are not lightfast. As fas as I understand, actual watercolour inks are lightfast. How are you guys finding these inks?

[@miawallace4077]

wondering if a finishing spray would counter this

[@veronicamarcano3540]

@@miawallace4077 I’ve not seen this suggestion but I am still researching.

[@Mabel461]

You are not using watercolor ink, if you are not able to rehydrate them! You are using acrylic ink and of course when it‘s dry you cannot reactivate it. Acrylic paints are so different from watercolors. You might also have difficulties to lift it. I would be worried for my good waercolor brushes, too. Rinse them very well,

[@julieo8017]

I should add that Peerless liquid watercolour is a very intense vibrant easy to blend product. Still not an ink.

[@mjpete27]

I remember back when I was in my late 20’s and experimenting with dye based inks the vibrant colors were truly amazing! BUT, I discovered that they faded away. I moved my studio after about 10 years and my vibrant exciting paintings were fading away. Now I know that with today’s technology and scanners that you can save your artworks in the computer but your original artwork will disappear. I remember when I was working with gouache and after they photographed it they tossed it in the trash! It was just advertising and no reason to keep it! If you cannot lift it it is NOT watercolor! Gouache is opaque watercolor and it will lift up if you wet it. Acrylic mediums will dry permanent, even if they are dye based not pigment based they will fade but not lift after application to a surface. I am just not sure if you are using true inks. I know that “no rules” is the catechism of today’s artists, but if you want your original artwork to last you need to use quality pigments and surfaces or you simply need to make prints from your digital scans. Now I have used pigment inks in my printer and created Giclee’ archival prints and had long lasting art works! Correctly labeled matted and framed for the long term they will last a lifetime. Now how many lifetimes that is still up for debate! I am happy if they last mine and if any of my work a scholar should be concerned with? Well I leave it to them after I am gone! I am enjoying watching your videos and seeing your techniques. Thank you for sharing all of your ideas and methods of creating art.

[@miawallace4077]

what if you treat them with a finishing spray?

[@mjpete27]

@@miawallace4077 hullo, sprays and final coat solutions can effect your artwork. The best option is framed behind “museum” glass, UV protection glass is another option for pastels and water soluble mediums. More cost but permanent protection for artworks is not cheap! I have seen some wax sealer solutions but those don’t address the “light pollution” problem or lightfast protection. I wish you good luck with preserving your art!

[@miawallace4077]

@@mjpete27 very informative! Thank you so much

[@priscillareads]

That bloom, though.

[@Kgiannini1259]

Confusing "watercolor inks" is like saying "hotdog steak"

[@ennelle2024]

They look more opague

[@heathermoore9150]

I was confused until I read the comments. You used all acrylic and india ink products in a watercolor like way. These are not watercolor inks.

[@LizzieCATs38]

Instead putting it in a jar how about putting it in a water brush pen? Like the artist Jane Davenport dose. 😊

[@CastleMc]

Actually, "watercolor ink" like "Dr. PH Martin's hydrus" line and some others that are branded as "Watercolor ink" are not the same thing as acrylic inks, calligraphy inks, alcohol inks, fountain pen inks, and India inks. These all have different properties and it is not helpful to lump all pigmented inks together and call them "Watercolor inks."

[@sup330]

It’s not acrylic. I use it all the time. She has all her products mixed ip

[@pippaloves]

Inks are such a mission that they can't rewet. So much waste no matter what u really do. Weather it's plastic/water/ink. I dunno. It just irritates me 😂😂😂😂 I'm a grumpy bitch today lol You make it look Soooo pretty though.

[@karenkotze3175]

How do you clean your pallet?

[@bonniemosesart]

How do you clean your pallets?