What it does
Black Ink is Bleank’s Windows painting application, with GPU rendering, node-based brush controls and a brush shader language. Its layer system combines drawings with editable effects.
Choose File > New.. to set the canvas dimensions and background, then find a brush in Brush Manager. Hold S and move the cursor to change brush size, or D to change opacity. The Y shortcut toggles constant screen brush size, which changes how brush width behaves as you zoom.
Save a BKD document to retain the node-based layers. File > Save+ creates a numbered backup instead of overwriting the previous file. JPEG, PNG and PSD are supported for image import and export. A secondary view lets you examine a different zoom level or a mirrored view while working.
The download provides a time-limited trial. Individuals can buy a perpetual personal licence; legal entities use an annual licence per seat. For a website purchase, activate through Help > Activate using the purchase email and password. The personal licence permits commercial artwork, although future major software upgrades may require a further payment.
Strengths
- Node controls and the brush shader language support custom procedural brushes.
- Save+ keeps numbered versions of a painting.
- A secondary view provides another view of the same artwork.
Watch out for
- Native support is limited to Windows.
- Business licensing is annual, and future major upgrades may be paid.
Best for
- Artists building procedural brushes
- Experimental digital painting
Sources
- Black Ink: Painting features (Oct 27, 2026)
- Black Ink: Frequently asked questions (Oct 27, 2026)
- Black Ink: Individual and business licences (Oct 27, 2026)
- Black Ink: First steps (Oct 27, 2026)
- Black Ink: Install Black Ink (Oct 27, 2026)
- Black Ink: Activate Black Ink (Oct 27, 2026)
- Black Ink: Menu bar (Oct 27, 2026)
- Black Ink: Supported formats (Oct 27, 2026)