I started keeping an illustrated journal and I use Noodler Polar Black to trace over my pencil sketches. I want to erase the pencil lines but the ink will smear even if I let it dry overnight. Sometimes I also paint a light watercolor wash over the drawing, so the ink needs to be waterproof as well. Any recommendation?

Thanks,

Aldo

I'll do some smearing tests (as I haven't yet), but my experience so far with Noodler's Old Manhattan (made for Fountain Pen Hospital) is that it is in many ways more well-behaved than Polar Black. It's also blacker. I only use Polar Black in pens that tend to run dry or scratchy anymore.

Hi Aldo ,
What sketchpen are you using ?

( I use the old - no longer in production - Osmiroid sketchpen. It comes with a special extractor to remove the feed from the nib. Its designed as such so it can take waterproof oil based inks which is a definite no-no for yr fountain pens.)

You can use Higgins waterproof ink or Pelikan Fount India ink ...

Don't let them inks stay in the pen unused for long, it can cause a big headache when it has to be cleaned and unclogged.

I use a Sailor Sapporo with F nib. I'd rather not use an India ink at all but if it is designed for fountain pens I may give it a try. Is the Pelikan Fount India ink water based?

Thanks,

Aldo

Aldo, I've had pretty good luck with Noodler's Bulletproof black in a Pilot Prera and Namiki Falcon. As long as you wait a couple of hours, the lines won't smear when pencil is erased, although there is sometime the possibility that they'll fade a bit. I've had less luck with a watercolor wash over - sometimes a little grey color will lift off. This is less likely to happen with the Pilot because it's drier than my Falcon, but it can still happen, a bit. It depends on how much this will bother you.

Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black is resistant to pencil line erasures. Great ink!

You can find some threads here on the Pelikan Fount India ink. The makers claim its safe for FP. But alomg with some of the FPners here, I belong to the group that prefers you NOT use india ink at all in your FPs, despite product claims. Not worth the risk of damage to yr FPs.

If you don't want to use India ink at all, then I suppose the answers on water resistant inks here shld be applicable.

I have also used pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black for sketching too and it works very well. Very black. But they aren't water resistant.

The Pelikan Fount India ink I am referring to here also claims to be lightfast. The label doesn't say whether its waterbased or oil-based, so I can't help you here. Perhaps others here can confirm. If you do a google search on Pelikan Fount India , U will come to a site that explains that its not waterproof, only highly water resistant.

You might want to consider buying a purpose built sketchpen and avoid risking damage to the Sapporo.

Another solution is to modify yr technique. Paint as dry as you can. ie with a tissue to dab away excess wetness or paint carefully so you don't touch the ink outines.

You may want to consult MattiasA here in this thread. He uses a Namiki Falcon with permanent ink, and wash.

I also use a Pilot G-Tec pen, its waterproof. But it doesn't give me the stroke width variation which I prefer.

I am certain you can find answers here in this forum.

HTH

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will try Noodler's Black (bulletproof). I also would like to try the Namiki Falcon pen, it sounds like a great tool for sketching with ink. MattiasA drawings are nothing less than amazing! He uses no pencil to block in the larger shapes...I may try that method, which will remedy the problem of smearing. I'm not sure how successful I'll be, but no guts no glory. Excellent drawings by Splicer and TMLee as well. I'm inspired, if somewhat intimidated.

Thank you,

Aldo