Winsor and Newton Drawing Inks have been used by illustrators since their introduction in the 1890s, where the main requirement was brilliance of color. Today they are formulated from a series of soluble dyes in a superior shellac solution. These inks can be applied with brush, dip pen or airbrush and are widely used by designers, calligraphers and artists as well as illustrators. All colors in this line of drawing inks is fully intermixable, and they are easily diluted (with distilled water). Fast drying and water resistant, they have excellent adhesion on most surfaces.