Pen and Wash: Combining Ink Drawing with Watercolour

Posted by

Haanz Team

2026-10-18

On 2026-10-18

Haanz Art GuideFree, practical advice from the team at Haanz Art & Craft Materials

Pen and wash combines crisp ink lines with soft watercolour washes. It is quick, forgiving and perfect for sketchbooks, travel journals, illustrations and buildings. This guide to pen and wash explains which pens and inks stay waterproof, the paper to use, two simple methods, and tips for loose, lively results.

The key: waterproof ink

If the ink isn’t waterproof, it runs and smudges when you paint over it. Sakura Pigma Micron pens use pigment ink that is waterproof once dry, so you can paint straight over your lines. Always let the ink dry for a minute or two before adding water, and test new pens on scrap paper first.

Pens and inks for pen and wash

Fineliners: Sakura Pigma Micron in 003, 005, 01, 03 and 05. A fine size and a medium size are enough to start. See our Micron sizes guide.
Brush pen: the Sakura Pigma Brush Tip for thick and thin lines and filling dark areas; waterproof when dry.
Dip pen and ink: Waterproof Black Ink (MS02), waterproof when dry, with a dip pen from the Mont Marte Calligraphy Dip Pen Set for expressive lines.

Paper and paint

Paper: watercolour paper or a watercolour pad, such as the Bomeijia Watercolour Pad A4 or Art Nation Watercolour Pad A5. Smooth paper gives finer lines; textured paper gives looser, broken lines.
Paint: a small pan set such as Art Nation Solid Watercolour 12 is ideal for sketching on the go.
Brush: a Sakura water brush keeps the kit tiny. See our water brush guide.

Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price. Browse all drawing pens and watercolours.

Method 1: ink first

Sketch lightly in pencil if you like.
Draw your lines in waterproof ink. Vary the line: heavier where shapes overlap or are in shadow, lighter in the light.
Let the ink dry completely.
Erase any pencil lines gently.
Add light washes of watercolour. Don’t fill every shape exactly; loose colour that goes over the lines looks lively.
Add darker glazes for shadows once the first washes are dry.

Method 2: wash first

Paint loose shapes of colour first, without drawing.
Let the paint dry fully.
Draw ink lines over the top, picking out edges and details.
This method gives a fresh, spontaneous look and is great for street scenes and flowers.

Good subjects for pen and wash

Buildings and streets: ink handles windows, roofs and details; a light wash adds sunlight and shadow.
Cafés and markets: quick ink sketches capture people and stalls; colour can be added later at home.
Flowers and plants: fine lines for veins and petals with soft colour.
Travel journals: a page per day, with notes written in the same pen.

Tips for pen and wash

Don’t outline everything; leave some edges as colour only.
Use hatching for shadows instead of filling them all with paint. See our shading techniques guide, which applies to ink too.
Keep washes light so the line work stays the star.
Work small at first, such as A5, so you finish pieces quickly.
Cap pens straight away and store them flat.

Frequently asked questions

Are all fineliners waterproof?

No. Check that the pen or ink says waterproof or pigment-based. Sakura Pigma ink is waterproof once dry.

How long should ink dry before painting?

Usually a minute or two for fineliners; longer for heavy dip-pen ink. Test by touching a scrap line.

Can I use watercolour pencils instead of paint?

Yes. Draw colour with watercolour pencils, then blend with a damp brush over your dry ink lines.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you put together a pen and wash kit.

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