Drawing Ink Panthera Ralf Nonnweiller Smooth Finish Black 150 ml

Complete guide: Drawing Ink Panthera Ralf Nonnweiller Smooth Finish Black 150 ml

It is part of the 'Smooth Finish' range signed by Ralf Nonnweiler and is the most diluted black in the Panthera greywash series — an ink with minimal pigment, designed for the lightest tones and fine transitions, where you want subtle contrast, not full coverage. The bottle is 150 ml, and the manufacturer (Italian brand) presents it as gamma-ray sterilized. It is useful for artists working in the black & grey technique and needing a soft shade for blending. Note that, in the product data, it is declared as a drawing ink.

How to use

1. Shake the bottle well before each use to distribute the pigment evenly.
2. Pour a small amount into a disposable inkcup, instead of working directly from the bottle.
3. Being the most diluted black in the series, reserve it for light values and final layers, where you want soft grey shades, not coverage.
4. Build the gradient from dark to light: this ink goes over more saturated tones for smooth transitions.
5. Do not reintroduce into the bottle a tip that has already touched another surface — keep the bottle uncontaminated.
6. Discard any leftover ink in the inkcup at the end of the session; do not reuse it.
7. Close the cap tightly immediately after use and put the bottle away.

Tips from us

• In a greywash range, this very diluted black is the 'last step' towards light — keep it for the finest values and for blending.
• Test on paper or a practice surface before a final piece to see how light it comes out in a single pass.
• Build intensity through multiple light passes, not one heavy pass — you control the transition much better.
• Store the bottle away from direct sunlight and at room temperature, with the cap tightly closed.
• Check the expiration date printed on the bottle before use.

Frequently asked questions