What's Your Recipe for an India ink wash?

[G3750]

Hi,

I used to have a recipe for this, but:

• Wrote it down somewhere and can't find it
• Can't remember it (I know isopropyl alchohol, india ink and water are ingredients)
• The dog ate my homework

Inquiries in the "usual" places have resulted in the standard low or no signal to noise ratio.

Your assistance is requested. I am trying to "age" a sidewalk.

Many thanks!

George

[Rufus T. Firefly]

2 teaspoons India ink per 1 pint of alcohol.

More if you want darker, less if lighter.

But it's also sort of season to taste and apply as needed or desired to get the effect that you want.

[G3750]

2 teaspoons India ink per 1 pint of alcohol.

More if you want darker, less if lighter.

But it's also sort of season to taste and apply as needed or desired to get the effect that you want.

Thank you!

But how much of it do you drink?

George

[G3750]

So, 70% Isopropyl alcohol? Or will the 50% work?

Also, any measurements for making smaller quantities?

Thanks,

George

[healey36]

I haven't used india ink for washes for years. It's a freakin' mess and it stains everything it touches, and sometimes I want a tint other than black. I now use some of the washes made by Vallejo, or in a pinch I make some using this basic recipe:

1 part acrylic paint
2-3 parts matte medium (to break surface tension)
4 parts water

This will yield a fairly light wash.

You can get matte medium at Hobby Lobby, Michael's, or most any art supply shop. I've been using stuff made by Liquitex. The last time I bought it, I think it was $18 for a bottle, but it's easy enough to track down a 30-40% off coupon. If you don't use this or something similar, you'll have problems with the wash flowing to the crevices, possibly pooling. Back in the day I would use a drop of dish soap.

Making a wash you are happy with is an experiment. Results largely depend on the base coat. I've been doing it for years, and the results are uneven at best. Everyone has a different approach. I typically give figures a shot of clear gloss before the wash, than clear matte after everything is dry.

That said, the best painters I know still use oil based enamels (usually Humbrol) and paint thinner. It's tedious, requires a number of applications, and takes forever to dry, but the results can be brilliant. I find life is too short for that level of effort.

[gregj410]

These are a little pricey but I’ve come to like the Hunterline stains. A bottle goes a long way.

https://hunterline.com/

[Norton]

India Ink is soluable in alcohol so the greater the percentage of alcohol to water the better. It will dry faster.
I prefer dilute mixes like a few drops of ink to a shot glass. You can apply more coats if you want it darker but its harder to make dark coats lighter. Works best on wood and paint, not so good on raw plastic.
I have switched to Fiebings leather dye as its denser and more durable than ink. Dilute around the same percentage as ink.

Pete

[G3750]

Thanks all!

Here's what I tried:

• Use Matte Medium 1:4 w/ Water plus 2-3 drops dish washing liquid
• Take 10ml of that mixture and add 5 drops of India Ink
• With a small brush, wash (scrub) the sidewalk.
• Blot with paper towel. This leaves a light grimy wash.

We'll see how that turns out. At this point, the shine is (at least) off the plastic side walk.

George