What Do You Need to Start Ink Tracing? My Simple Setup.
f you're new to Ink Tracing or Reverse Coloring, you might be wondering what you actually need to get started.
The good news is… not much!
You don't need a huge collection of art supplies or an expensive setup. One of the things I love about Ink Tracing is how simple it can be. Grab an Ink Tracing book, a good pen, find a comfortable spot, and you're ready to go.
Over time, though, I've found a few things that make the experience easier, more comfortable, and honestly, a little more enjoyable.
Here are some of the things I use and recommend when I'm settling in for some Ink Tracing time.
✍️ The Most Important Thing: A Good Pen
This is probably the first thing people ask me about.
What kind of pen do you use for Ink Tracing?
There are quite a few different options, and the best pen can depend on the look you're going for and how you like your pen to feel when you're drawing.
For Ink Tracing, I especially like pens that give you a smooth, consistent line and are easy to control when you're following small details and curves.
I use different pens depending on the design I'm working on, so I've included some of the ones I personally like below. This is the 6 pack of Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens, Black, Assorted Points, they do go up in quantities. However, I would just start out with the 6 pack. I actually started out with sharpies, so use whatever pen you like!
If you're just starting out, I wouldn't go crazy buying every type of pen you can find. Start with one or two that feel comfortable in your hand and see how you like them.
And here's a little tip from me: always test your pen on a small area or an extra sheet of paper before getting started on a finished page.
There's nothing worse than discovering your pen isn't cooperating after you've already started! 😂
💡 Good Lighting Makes a BIG Difference
This might not be the first thing you think about when you start Ink Tracing, but good lighting is really important, especially with detailed designs.
Some of the lines in Ink Tracing books can be very fine, and when you're working on tiny details, good lighting makes them much easier to see.
I also find that good lighting makes the whole experience more comfortable. You're not squinting at the page or constantly moving it around trying to find the right angle.
And if you're like me and enjoy doing your Ink Tracing in the evening, a good desk lamp can be especially helpful.
What I Use
This is the lighting setup I use when I'm working on my Ink Tracing designs: There are 3 different color modes and you can adjust the brightness. I love these little lamps and actually have a few around my house!
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to lighting, so this is one of those things where I'd say find what works best for you.
🖊️ Keep Your Pens Together With a Pen Case
This one sounds simple, but I really like having a pen case nearby.
Once you start collecting different pens, it's surprisingly easy for them to end up scattered all over your desk. 😆
A small pen case keeps everything together so I can grab what I need without digging through drawers or hunting down that one pen I know I just had five minutes ago. I have so many pen cases, I use this specifically for my Micron pens.
I also like being able to keep the pens I'm currently using separate from the rest of my art supplies. You don't need anything fancy. This simple pen case works great and you can choose from several colors!
🖥️ A Desk Tray Gives You a Comfortable Place to Work
Another thing I use is a desk tray.
This is especially helpful if you don't have a dedicated art desk or if you like moving your Ink Tracing from one room to another.
A tray gives you a solid, comfortable surface for your book, pens, and whatever else you're using. It also makes it easy to move everything out of the way when you're finished. A clipboard can also work well as a hard surface. Here is a simple one and I really love mine!
Create a Space You Actually Want to Sit In
One of my favorite things about Ink Tracing is that it doesn't have to feel like "work."
You can make it part of your quiet time.
Find a comfortable chair, turn on your favorite music, make yourself a cup of coffee or tea, and give yourself permission to slow down for a little while.
You don't need a perfect studio.
You don't need expensive equipment.
You don't even need a huge amount of space.
A comfortable place to sit, good lighting, a pen you enjoy using, and an Ink Tracing book are really all you need to begin.
Everything else is just there to make the experience a little easier.
My Simple Ink Tracing Setup
If I had to narrow it down to the basics, my setup would be:
📖 An Ink Tracing book
✍️ A pen I enjoy using
💡Good lighting
🖊️ A small pen case
🖥️ A comfortable desk tray
That's it.
And once everything is ready, you can simply sit down, pick a page, and start tracing.
There's something really nice about watching the artwork slowly appear while you focus on one little section at a time.
No pressure. No need to be an artist. Just grab a pen and enjoy the process.
Comments