Ink stick
The stick is ground with water on an inkstone. The concentration is built during preparation, from a pale grey to a denser black.
Useful for: calligraphy · brush drawing · wash · value studies
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INK MATERIALS GUIDE
Ink sticks, inkstones, brushes, nibs & paper
The right setup depends on what you want to do with ink. Calligraphy, line drawing and wash do not require exactly the same brush, paper or dilution. This guide explains the role of each material before you choose it.
01 · INK
Solid ink or bottled ink?
Both can be used for drawing and calligraphy, but the preparation and control before the first mark are different.
Liquid ink
Bottled ink is ready to use. It is practical when you want a consistent black or do not want to prepare solid ink first.
Useful for: drawing · nib · brush · short sessions
What actually changes?
Neither is automatically better. Solid ink lets you control concentration during preparation; bottled ink removes that step. In both cases, paper, tool and water still change the result.
02 · INKSTONE
The stone is used to grind and collect the ink.
When using an ink stick, you need a usable grinding surface and an area where the prepared liquid can collect.
Grinding area
The stick should move regularly over the surface. Deep grooves can reduce contact and make grinding less even.
Reservoir
The recessed area keeps prepared ink available while leaving part of the surface free for further grinding.
Size
A small stone is enough for short sessions and fine brushes. A larger surface is more comfortable when preparing more ink or using wider brushes.
After use
Do not leave a thick layer of ink to dry on the stone. Remove the remaining liquid and clean the surface before storage.
If you only use bottled ink
You do not need a grinding surface. A small palette or separate container is usually more practical for preparing dilutions.
03 · BRUSH OR NIB
Choose according to the mark you want.
A brush changes width with pressure and angle. A nib has firmer contact with the paper and is useful for controlled lines.
Brush
Useful for pressure variation, broad and narrow marks with the same tool, washes and lines that change visibly during the movement.
Fine brush
Useful for smaller marks, details and narrow lines while keeping the flexibility of a brush.
Nib
Useful for contours, hatching, illustration and lettering. Its shape, flexibility and the pressure applied all affect the line.
Test before choosing
Make one slow line, one faster line and one pressure variation. These three marks already show how the tool responds.
04 · PAPER
Absorption matters more than weight alone.
Two papers with a similar weight can react very differently to ink. Surface treatment and fibre structure change how quickly liquid enters the sheet.
Fast absorption
Ink enters the fibres quickly and can spread beyond the original line. This can suit expressive brush work but leaves little time for correction.
Slower absorption
Ink stays closer to the surface for longer. Edges generally remain clearer, which can help with nib work and precise lines.
For wash
The sheet needs to tolerate the amount of water used without immediately losing its surface or buckling excessively.
For testing
Keep scraps of each paper and note the ink and dilution used. Small tests make differences easy to compare.
If the ink spreads too far
Do not look only at the ink. Paper, the quantity of liquid and the time the brush remains in contact with the sheet can all increase diffusion.
05 · WASH
Build several values with the same ink.
A wash uses different proportions of ink and water. Preparing a few distinct values before starting makes them easier to control.
Light wash
More water produces a pale value, useful for first layers and light shadows.
Middle value
Useful for building form and separating areas without immediately using the darkest black.
Dense ink
Keep the strongest mixture for accents, deep shadows and marks that need the greatest contrast.
Light to dark
It is usually easier to deepen a value with another layer than to lighten an area that became too dark too early.
06 · CHOOSE YOUR MATERIALS
Start with the use, not the number of accessories.
Three simple setups cover most first uses of ink.
For brush calligraphy
Ink stick or liquid ink, a calligraphy brush, test paper and paper with the level of absorption you want. Add an inkstone when using solid ink.
For line drawing
Liquid or prepared solid ink, a nib or fine brush, and paper that keeps the line sufficiently clear for the detail required.
For wash
Ink, one or more brushes, a palette for several dilutions and paper that tolerates repeated moisture.
What you do not need at first
Several similar brushes, several black inks and many papers make comparisons harder. Start with one combination, test it and change one element when you know what is missing.
07 · FAQ
Common questions
Can I draw with an ink stick?
Yes. Once prepared, solid ink can be used for brush drawing, line studies, washes and value work.
Can I use a nib with solid ink?
Yes, provided the prepared ink is fluid enough and does not contain particles that interfere with the nib. Test the flow first.
Why does my brush produce a dry or broken mark?
The brush may contain too little liquid, the movement may be fast, the paper may absorb very quickly or the brush may not carry enough ink for the length of the stroke.
Do I need special paper for ink?
There is no single mandatory paper. What matters is how the sheet reacts to the quantity of ink and water being used.
INK
Choose materials or solve a specific problem
Browse the ink selection, read about the Four Treasures or continue with the guide about ink spreading on paper.