This is the best black ink in my opinion. It mixes with watercolor so beautifully. It granulates and creates just the most amazing textures. LOVE THIS!

This W&N black has been at my side for three decades and is a dependable mainstay of my work.Probably, the key fact to note here is 'Waterproof'. It is certainly a great ink for many uses that don't require that quality but is fabulous for when you do. There are many uses for which being waterproof is great but the two most obvious are when you want to draw in ink and then paint over in watercolour or even acrylic and the second is when you want to apply further ink, either neat or thinned with water.The ink is rich and deep black with a very slight sheen towards blue. This is probably most noticeable if applied very thickly and pools before setting dry.You can add increasing amounts of water (W&N recommend distilled water but I use tap) to get lovely grey ... MoreThis W&N black has been at my side for three decades and is a dependable mainstay of my work.Probably, the key fact to note here is 'Waterproof'. It is certainly a great ink for many uses that don't require that quality but is fabulous for when you do. There are many uses for which being waterproof is great but the two most obvious are when you want to draw in ink and then paint over in watercolour or even acrylic and the second is when you want to apply further ink, either neat or thinned with water.The ink is rich and deep black with a very slight sheen towards blue. This is probably most noticeable if applied very thickly and pools before setting dry.You can add increasing amounts of water (W&N recommend distilled water but I use tap) to get lovely grey tones.Be aware of course that you need to be wiping the ink off your dip pens/nibs in between re-loading with a tissue and regularly swirling in some water to ensure the ink doesn't dry permanently on to the pen. Also, DO NOT use in any type of fountain pen style art pen unless you're happy to chuck it after one use.This is great ink and you can use it in pens, brushes, pads, fingers, splatters from toothbrushes, drips, pours and with stencils on all kinds of surfaces. Give it a try.

I've been using Windsor & Newton drawing inks for years on everything from cartoons and greeting cards to fine art drawings. I usually work in pen, ink and watercolor and these inks work well with the watercolors and sometimes result in some pretty happy accidents. I did an entire series of clowns for children's bedrooms (my grandchildren) and the colors are as sharp today as when I first made them nearly ten years ago, despite having been on display all that time. The colors are true and are light resistant, staying vibrant for years even when displayed in locations that would fade other inks. You do have to be careful and make sure brushes are really clean or the shellac will ruin them.