Other pens such as fountain, bamboo, and reed are also used for a specific variety of line appearance. Each type has its own characteristics and limitations, so it is best to try them all and check the results for yourself. India ink has been traditionally used as a pigment for these types of pens, but it can also be applied in washes with a brush. India ink is manufactured by mixing carbon black pigment with water and a little shellac or some other water-dispersed resin to make it water resistant. Once limited to only black, there are now blue, sepia, and sienna colored inks to work with.
White ink is also available to highlight drawings.
Dye-based inks and pigmented inks are the two major types to work with, and both are available in multiple colors. These can be used in drawing pens, airbrushes, and with brushes and water. Dye-based inks dry in clear, transparent films that are effective for glazes. This type of ink can be used effectively in technical pens. Pigmented inks resemble watercolor paint except that their binder is more transparent than the gum used in transparent watercolors.