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Gods-Mistake
10-01-2008, 08:02 AM
Let's get straight to the point:
I'm looking for help getting control over tonal values with ink. (Traditional ink)
Not with crosshatching, but with a brush. Because with how I did it so far it works out sometimes and sometimes I ruin the picture.
Here's how I did it so far:

I first made the basic black strokes to define the figure and let that dry.
When I then add tonal values, I dip my brush in the ink, stroke it over some toiletpaper to clean it a bit, after that dip it into water and then start to paint with that greyish tone I get.

But I suppose that's a lousy technique, because I can't really control the intensity of the darkness. Sometimes it works out and I like the look, but sometimes it's too dark for example and I can throw the picture away. Is there a better way to do that or am I on the right track and just need more practice?
I swear, this ink drives me insane like a beautiful woman! I want to break up with her, but I'm addicted. :D
dbclemons
10-02-2008, 05:52 PM
A good procedure for working in ink wash is to make your gray mixture ahead of time in a range of two or three values. Using a small tray, like a dented watercolor tin, place a few drops into some water until you get the shade you want for the amount of area that you will be covering. Dip your brush into these mixtures rather than just wetting the ink on your brush. That way you have an even tone that you have more control over. Start with lighter shades and work up to darker ones. A simpler approach is just to spot your pure black areas first, and then mix up one shade that is fairly light. Add more ink to that mixture to get a darker values.
Lunatique
10-05-2008, 11:31 AM
Premixing 3 different values was my trick back when I did lots of inkwash work for comics.
pedes
10-05-2008, 11:54 AM
I agree; it's better to dillute the ink before putting in on a brush.
What I do whenever I have to use something water-dillutable, like ink or watercolor in tubes, is I take little glass saucers or glasses: one keeps fresh water and two-three are for color mixing, dilluting etc. Why I do it that way? Because after first few tries you learn to guess the color and lightness of the line by the transparency of the liquid (the glass should be non-coloured, of course) and you can easily adjust it.
Gods-Mistake
10-17-2008, 04:49 PM
Works MUCH better!

Thanks for the hint.
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