It is a professional pigment-free dilution medium formulated by Intenze based on witch hazel, glycerin, and distilled water, which allows you to lighten colors and adjust their viscosity without changing their hue. It contains the same dispersing agents and stabilizers as the Intenze ink formulas, so the diluted ink behaves just like the unmodified ink—same flow, same penetration, same durability after healing. It is designed for artists working with color—from watercolor washes and subtle glazes to simply achieving predictable pastel tones—and removes improvisation from the equation: no more diluting "by eye" with distilled water.
How is this solution different from distilled water? Can't I simply dilute with water?▾
The difference is fundamental. Distilled water lacks dispersing agents, stabilizers, or preservatives—when you dilute with it, pigments can flocculate (clump together), the ink loses its predictable consistency, and the risk of microbiological contamination increases. Intenze Mixing Solution contains exactly the same dispersing agents as the Intenze ink formulas, so the pigments remain uniformly distributed, and the diluted ink behaves as if it were manufactured at that concentration, not improvised in the ink cap.
Can I use it with inks from other brands, for example Eternal or Dynamic?▾
Technically it works with any water-based ink, but results are guaranteed only with Intenze inks, because each brand uses its own dispersing agents, which may interact differently with the solution's components. With other water-based brands it may work acceptably, but without performance guarantee. With inks on a base other than water, it is not compatible at all. If you work predominantly with Intenze, this is its safe ground.
Does it change the color after healing? Will I get a different tone than what I mixed?▾
No. The solution does not contain pigments and does not change the hue—it only reduces the intensity, i.e., the pigment density. A diluted color will appear after healing as a lighter version of the same color, not as a different color. This sets it apart from dilution with white, which changes the color temperature: red becomes pink, blue becomes light blue. With the Mixing Solution, the chromatic identity remains intact.
What dilution ratio do I use for the effect I want?▾
The recommended benchmarks are: 1:1 (ink:solution) to reduce intensity by approximately 50% — ideal for mid-tone versions; 1:2 for a light, semi-transparent tone; 1:4 for a subtle, almost transparent wash, suitable for watercolor effects; 1:8 for an extremely fine glaze, used in advanced color layering. Always start with less solution and add gradually, mixing well in the ink cap before application.
How do I keep the bottle hygienic after opening it?▾
The bottle comes sterile-packed, and responsibility after opening lies in the handling method: dose only with clean gloves, pour directly into disposable ink caps without touching the bottle neck to anything on the workstation, and close it tightly immediately after use. Do not insert anything into the bottle and do not pour mixtures back from the ink cap. Store it closed, away from sun and heat, and if you notice any changes in appearance or smell, do not use it anymore.
What is the difference from Intenze Special Shading Solution? Do I need both?▾
They have different purposes. The Mixing Solution is a neutral dispersion medium: it dilutes the ink without changing the way it penetrates the skin—it's for color adjustment (pastel tones, color washes, viscosity). Special Shading Solution contains additional agents that facilitate uniform penetration, optimized for shading techniques and creating grays. An artist who works with both color and black & grey typically uses both, each for its own job.
