What kind of ink do you use on scrimshaw?

While all sorts of inks from lamp black to India ink have been used for scrimshaw, artist oil paints work just as well and are not as messy and easier to work with. For black scrimshaw, Ivory Black oil paint works well. For color scrimshaw both oil and colorfast watercolors can be used. Water colors are usually sealed afterwards but oils don't need it.

--Jim Stevens