I’m a self-taught artist who loves sharing tips and tutorials for painting with watercolor and gouache, and using the Procreate app on the iPad.
Wondering whether you should ink before or after watercolor? Learn more about when to use ink in a watercolor illustration.
You might also like this post about which pens are waterproof with watercolor.
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Should You Ink Before or After Watercolor?
As with most things in life, there is no simple answer. There are several things to consider when deciding when to add ink.
By the way, you might also find that you have a personal preference. Experiment with both and see which method you prefer.
Reasons for Inking Before Watercolor
It’s Easier to Erase Pencil Marks
Adding ink first allows you to erase your pencil lines better. This is important because once graphite from a pencil gets wet, it’s permanent.
Make sure that the ink is dry before erasing. Microns dry super fast and are completely waterproof.
It Saves Time
Inking before watercolor saves time. I find that the ink from a pen dries much faster and I can add watercolor in just a few minutes.
However, waiting for watercolor to dry before adding ink can take a while.
It’s Easier and Neater
When you add ink first, it’s almost like painting in a coloring book. It’s easy to get perfectly filled shapes.
Personally, I find it really difficult to get perfect lines when I ink after painting.
Some pens have a hard time writing over watercolor, so this also causes a messier line quality.
Reasons for Inking After Watercolor
Some Ink Isn’t Waterproof
Recently, I tested a ton of pens to see if they were waterproof under watercolor. However, not everyone has 10 different pen brands to choose from.
If your pen isn’t waterproof, it makes more sense to ink after.
Some Colors are Opaque
Earthy colors and warm tones are often slightly opaque, which can cover the line work. If you’re using a lot of these colors, you might want to add ink after painting.
It’s Great for Adding Details
Inking after painting allows you to add details to your finished piece. I especially like adding details with a white pen.
You Might Also Like:
- Sakura Koi Watercolor Paint Review
- Watercolor Starter Colors
- Tips for Watercolor Pencils
- Starting a Daily Sketchbook Practice
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