Best Drawing Inks of 2025

Corey Phillips Avatar
Corey Phillips
Last Updated: 4 Feb 2025

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Drawing inks are highly pigmented and versatile mediums that can be used for a variety of artistic purposes. These inks come in a range of colours and can be used for drawing, calligraphy, painting, and mixed media projects. They are typically water-resistant and can be used on a variety of surfaces including paper, canvas, and board. Drawing inks are ideal for creating bold, vibrant lines and washes, and can be layered to achieve depth and texture in artwork. Whether you're a professional artist or a beginner, drawing inks can add a new dimension to your creative projects.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Liquidraw Coloured Drawing Ink Set of 10 Cover #TOP 1
Liquidraw Coloured Drawing Ink Set of 10
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Liquidraw Waterproof Coloured Drawing Ink Set Cover #TOP 2
Liquidraw Waterproof Coloured Drawing Ink Set
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Winsor & Newton Black Indian Drawing Ink 14ml Cover #TOP 3
Winsor & Newton Black Indian Drawing Ink 14ml
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Drawing Inks

#TOP 1

Liquidraw Coloured Drawing Ink Set of 10

IW04
10 Colours
35 ml
Liquidraw Coloured Drawing Ink Set of 10 Cover
Liquidraw Coloured Drawing Ink Set India Ink, Waterproof, Set of 10 Assorted Colours, 35ml

The Liquidraw Ink Set includes ten vibrant, waterproof India inks, perfect for all your artistic needs. Each 35ml bottle contains an assortment of colours such as black, blue, yellow, and more. These inks are particularly suited for calligraphy, allowing you to create beautiful lettering with ease. Whether you prefer using dip pens or brushes, this set provides the versatility needed for drafting and drawing. You’ll find these inks useful for a variety of projects, making your creative process enjoyable and efficient.

What We Like
Assorted vibrant colours
Waterproof for lasting results
Versatile for various techniques
Convenient 35ml plastic bottles
#TOP 2

Liquidraw Waterproof Coloured Drawing Ink Set

IWD35
Liquidraw Waterproof Coloured Drawing Ink Set Cover
Liquidraw Coloured Drawing Ink Set India Ink, Waterproof, Set of 5 Assorted Colours, 35ml

The Liquidraw Drawing Ink Set features five vibrant, waterproof Indian inks in black, blue, yellow, red, and green, each contained in a convenient 35ml plastic bottle. These inks are perfect for calligraphy, allowing you to create beautiful lettering with dip pens or brushes. You can also use them for drafting and drawing, bringing your artistic visions to life with ease. Their versatility means you can experiment with various techniques, whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out.

What We Like
Waterproof inks
Five assorted colours
Suitable for various applications
Convenient 35ml bottles
Ideal for calligraphy and drawing
#TOP 3

Winsor & Newton Black Indian Drawing Ink 14ml

1005030
Black Indian
14 ml
Winsor & Newton Black Indian Drawing Ink 14ml Cover
Winsor & Newton 1005030 Drawing Ink 14ml Black Indian

The Winsor & Newton Drawing Ink is a versatile 14 ml bottle of black Indian ink that can be applied using a brush, dip pen, or airbrush. This fast-drying ink ensures that your artwork will adhere excellently to most surfaces, providing you with convenience and reliability in your creative projects. With its quick drying time, you can work efficiently without worrying about smudging. This product is perfect for artists looking to achieve precise lines and vibrant details in their drawings.

What We Like
Versatile application methods
Fast drying
Excellent adhesion
Suitable for various surfaces
#TOP 4

Winsor & Newton 14ml Drawing Ink - Brilliant Green

1005046
Brilliant Green
14 ml
Winsor & Newton 14ml Drawing Ink - Brilliant Green Cover
Winsor & Newton Drawing Ink Bottle, 14 ml - Brilliant Green

The Winsor & Newton Drawing Ink is a versatile 14ml bottle of Brilliant Green ink that can be applied using a brush, dip pen, or airbrush. Its fast-drying formula ensures that your artwork stays vibrant without smudging. Additionally, the ink offers excellent adhesion on most surfaces, making it ideal for various materials. Being water-resistant and transparent, it allows for layering without losing the clarity of your designs, providing you with endless creative possibilities.

What We Like
Fast drying
Water resistant
Excellent adhesion
Versatile application methods
Transparent finish
#TOP 5

Artway Black Indian Ink for Art Projects

0A7-2D6-EAA
Black
300 ml
Artway Black Indian Ink for Art Projects Cover
Artway Black Indian Ink - 300ml - Ideal for Drawing, Illustration and Calligraphy Applications

The Artway Black Indian Ink is a versatile ink ideal for various artistic applications. You can use it with brushes, dip pens, and airbrushes, making it perfect for drawing, illustration, and calligraphy. Once dry, the ink is water-resistant, allowing you to layer watercolours or other soluble mediums on top without smudging your work. Additionally, this permanent ink can be diluted with water, enabling you to create lighter tones and a broader tonal range in your artwork, enhancing your creative possibilities.

What We Like
Versatile for multiple tools
Water-resistant when dry
Dilutable for varied tones
Convenient 300ml bottle
Ideal for mixed media projects
#TOP 6

Graff-City Black Indian Ink 300ml Bottle

Black
300ml
Graff-City Black Indian Ink 300ml Bottle Cover
Graff-City Black Indian Ink 300m Water Based Drawing Ink Bottle, highly pigmented For Brush, Ink Pen or Airbrush

The Graff-City Black Indian Ink is a versatile and highly pigmented ink that’s perfect for your creative projects. You can use it for writing, printing, or drawing, giving you a deep black colour that is both lightfast and permanent. This makes it ideal for professional use, whether you’re a designer or an illustrator. Additionally, the ink can be diluted with water, allowing you to create beautiful washes and subtle tones for your line and wash artwork. With its perfectly sized bottle, it’s convenient for any artist.

What We Like
Highly pigmented and versatile
Lightfast and permanent quality
Can be diluted for washes
Ideal for various artistic styles
#TOP 7

Liquidraw 20 Colour Acrylic Ink Set

AC020
Multicoloured
Each Bottle - 35ml
Liquidraw 20 Colour Acrylic Ink Set Cover
Liquidraw Acrylic Inks For Artists Set Of 20 Waterproof Ink Set 35ml Professional For Painting, Drawing, Paints, Art, Brushes, Paper, Board, Canvas, Fabric & Wood

The Liquidraw Acrylic Ink Set offers 20 vibrant colours, each in a 35ml bottle, perfect for artists like you. These inks are waterproof once dry, ensuring your artwork remains intact and vibrant over time. They are also fadeproof and permanent, allowing you to create lasting pieces without worrying about colour deterioration. The specially formulated pigmented inks have a high viscosity, providing excellent coverage and flow, making them suitable for various surfaces such as paper, canvas, and fabric.

What We Like
Vibrant 20 colour selection
Waterproof when dry
Fadeproof and permanent
High viscosity for better coverage
#TOP 8

Royal Talens North America Drawing Ink Black

ROYAL TALENS NORTH AMERICA
43727000
Black
490 ml
Royal Talens North America Drawing Ink Black Cover
ROYAL TALENS NORTH AMERICA TALENS DRAWING INK BLACK, One Size

The Talens Drawing Ink is a professional-grade waterproof ink that is perfect for use with technical drawing pens and airbrushes. You will appreciate its ability to adhere to various surfaces, including paper, cardboard, and film, allowing you to explore different artistic mediums. The large 490ml package ensures you have plenty of ink for your projects, meaning fewer interruptions while you work. Additionally, it conforms to ASTM D 4236 standards, giving you peace of mind regarding its safety and quality.

What We Like
Waterproof for lasting results
Compatible with multiple surfaces
Generous 490ml volume
Safe and reliable standards
#TOP 9

Winsor & Newton 30 ml Gold Drawing Ink

1010283
Gold
30 ml
Winsor & Newton 30 ml Gold Drawing Ink Cover
Winsor & Newton 1010283 Drawing Ink Bottle, 30 ml - Gold

The Winsor & Newton Gold Ink is a versatile drawing ink that can be applied using a brush, dip pen, or airbrush, giving you the freedom to explore various artistic techniques. It dries quickly, allowing you to layer your work without long waiting times. Its high adhesion means it works well on most surfaces, making it a reliable choice for different projects. Additionally, the ink is fully intermixable, enabling you to create custom shades and tones to suit your creative vision.

What We Like
Versatile application methods
Fast drying time
High adhesion on surfaces
Fully intermixable colours
#TOP 10

Daler-Rowney Black Kandahar Drawing Ink 28ml

D144028028
Black
1 count (pack of 1)
Daler-Rowney Black Kandahar Drawing Ink 28ml Cover
Daler-Rowney Black Kandahar Drawing Ink, 28ml, Illustration and Mixed Media Work, Ideal for Professional Artists & Students

Daler-Rowney's Kandahar Drawing Ink offers a rich black pigment that is perfect for both professional artists and students. Its excellent flow ensures smooth application, making it easy for you to create intricate illustrations. The ink is also water-resistant, so your work remains intact even when exposed to moisture. With outstanding lightfastness and permanence, you can trust that your creations will stand the test of time. This ink is particularly well-suited for mixed media techniques, allowing you to combine it beautifully with watercolour.

What We Like
Rich black pigmented ink
Water-resistant formulation
Excellent lightfastness
Ideal for mixed media
Suitable for all skill levels
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is drawing ink used for?

Drawing Ink is best used on paper and illustration board, but can also be used on most types of acetate, which can make it useful for animators and illustrators.

2. What are art inks?

Ink is an ancient writing and drawing medium in liquid or paste form, traditionally black or brown in colour – though it can also contain coloured dyes or pigments.

3. Is drawing ink permanent?

Drawings Inks are made from dyes and are very bright and transparent, but most of them fade over time. They are not lightfast (the lightfastness of a colour is how permanent it is or how unaffected by light it is).

4. Can you mix drawing ink with water?

The most common formula is mixing 2 parts ink to 1 part distilled water. Calligraphers using cartridge pens achieve this by injecting the little calligraphy ink cartridge with a carefully measured squirt of distilled water.

Editor's Notes

During our drawing ink research, we found 140 drawing ink products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 54,478 customer reviews through our big data system to write the drawing inks list. We found that most customers choose drawing inks with an average price of £13.04.

The drawing inks are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of drawing inks, including Liquidraw, Winsor & Newton, Artway, Graff-City, ROYAL TALENS NORTH AMERICA.

Written by
Corey Phillips Avatar

Corey Philips is an electrician and lighting expert. He graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in electrical and electronics engineering. Corey is a specialist contractor in lights. He sells and installs and recommends lights and lamp sheds, and other lights accessories. Aside from that, Corey is vast in installing and maintaining electrical appliances like air conditioners, water heaters, and the likes.