Rotring Artpen Waterproof Ink Compatibility Suggestions

[James Ortega]

Hello everyone;

 

Could I please have some advice on finding waterproof, non-pigment, free flowing dye-based inks (by brand)that can safely work with my Rotring ArtPens without clogging them or necessitating the frequent onerous cleanups I wished to avoid in avoid by purchasing these pens. I am a graphic novel artist and draw/paint hundreds of panels/pages a year; I need a minimum-maintenance workhorse pen that can sustain constant use and miles of inklines without giving me any trouble more than putting the cap on. Using the black ink cartridges that come with the pens causes problems with watercolor work as the ink is not waterproof. Using Higgins Waterproof Drawing Ink (only the dye-based ones like Turquoise, etc) has worked very well but I would like to find a true black that is not an india/shellac type because the colored inks cause difficulty in isolating colors vs inking when I scan my drawings into photoshop for further work. If no one can suggest a black ink that will not bleed, wash, or clog my pens, I would be grateful for suggestions on the closest dark colors that would fit the bill: umber browns, deep violets/reds, etc. Lightfastness is not an issue as all my handwork is scanned and layered in photoshop and ends up as digital media. The black remains ideal, however, as it is the most uniquely identifiable (save for white) hue in a painting that photoshop can easily find and isolate as a layer and not confuse with all the other colors in the scene. But anything closest to black would still be better than what I am using now.

I would greatly appreciate any help or suggestions via my email: proteus19m@yahoo.com as it is the only network medium I check with any frequency.

 

Much Thanks,

James

PS, for anyone interested: samples of my work are visible at boilerroomproductions.com

[jmkeuning]

Have you tried any noodlers?

[Sandy1]

Hello,

 

The Noodler's Bulletproof inks would seem a great place to start AND finish.

 

Alternatively, you could modify your process something like this:

1. Create your black image layer using what-ever pen & ink you choose.
   
2. Scan that black image, then print it, using a laserjet printer, on the paper to be used for watercolour.
   
3. Apply the watercolour to that paper - the laserjet toner should not smudge when wet.
   
4. Scan the completed page, and discard the file with the initial scanned black image - it may be slightly inaccurate scale-wise as it was not wet then dried.
   

 

One advantage I like about the above suggested process, is that if you have trouble with the watercolour part of your work, you can easily regenerate the initial black layer. Or perhaps start the watercolour with several black layer prints ready to go, which you can work on simultaneously or progessively.

 

Alternatively just do your watercolour stuff first, then go in afterward with the black layer.

 

Best Regards,

Sandy1