diff --git a/TODO b/TODO
index 4eda420f..99b20608 100644
--- a/TODO
+++ b/TODO
@@ -17,33 +17,6 @@
   we must insist vector.length == 2 or bands * 2 for complex, or have the
   current behaviour of imaginary == 0 always
 
-- try:
-
-	$ vips draw_smudge
-	usage:
-	   draw_smudge image ink left top width height
-	blur a rectangle on an image
-	where:
-	   image        - Image to draw on, input VipsImage
-	   ink          - Colour for pixels, input VipsArrayDouble
-	   left         - Rect to fill, input gint
-	   top          - Rect to fill, input gint
-	   width        - Rect to fill, input gint
-	   height       - Rect to fill, input gint
-
-  nice if we could hide the "ink" param
-
-  also for 
-
-	draw_image
-	draw_line_user
-
-  we could either move ink to the other operations or make a new subclass of
-  draw containing the ink arg
-
-
-
-
 
 - try
 
diff --git a/libvips/draw/Makefile.am b/libvips/draw/Makefile.am
index 6d00e579..20f8ece2 100644
--- a/libvips/draw/Makefile.am
+++ b/libvips/draw/Makefile.am
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ noinst_LTLIBRARIES = libdraw.la
 libdraw_la_SOURCES = \
 	draw.c \
 	pdraw.h \
+	drawink.c \
+	drawink.h \
 	draw_circle.c \
 	draw_flood.c \
 	draw_mask.c \
diff --git a/libvips/draw/draw.c b/libvips/draw/draw.c
index 2848d0ef..e127cdf6 100644
--- a/libvips/draw/draw.c
+++ b/libvips/draw/draw.c
@@ -83,12 +83,6 @@ vips_draw_build( VipsObject *object )
 	draw->psize = VIPS_IMAGE_SIZEOF_PEL( draw->image );
 	draw->noclip = FALSE;
 
-	if( draw->ink &&
-		!(draw->pixel_ink = vips__vector_to_ink( 
-			class->nickname, draw->image,
-			draw->ink->data, draw->ink->n )) )
-		return( -1 );
-
 	return( 0 );
 }
 
@@ -111,20 +105,11 @@ vips_draw_class_init( VipsDrawClass *class )
 		VIPS_ARGUMENT_REQUIRED_INPUT, 
 		G_STRUCT_OFFSET( VipsDraw, image ) );
 
-	VIPS_ARG_BOXED( class, "ink", 2, 
-		_( "Ink" ), 
-		_( "Colour for pixels" ),
-		VIPS_ARGUMENT_REQUIRED_INPUT,
-		G_STRUCT_OFFSET( VipsDraw, ink ),
-		VIPS_TYPE_ARRAY_DOUBLE );
-
 }
 
 static void
 vips_draw_init( VipsDraw *draw )
 {
-	draw->ink = vips_area_new_array( G_TYPE_DOUBLE, sizeof( double ), 1 ); 
-	((double *) (draw->ink->data))[0] = 0;
 }
 
 void
@@ -151,35 +136,3 @@ vips_draw_operation_init( void )
 	vips_draw_smudge_get_type();
 }
 
-/* Fill a scanline between points x1 and x2 inclusive. x1 < x2.
- */
-void 
-vips__draw_scanline( VipsDraw *draw, int y, int x1, int x2 )
-{
-	VipsPel *mp;
-	int i;
-	int len;
-
-	g_assert( x1 <= x2 );
-
-	if( y < 0 || 
-		y >= draw->image->Ysize )
-		return;
-	if( x1 < 0 && 
-		x2 < 0 )
-		return;
-	if( x1 >= draw->image->Xsize && 
-		x2 >= draw->image->Xsize )
-		return;
-	x1 = VIPS_CLIP( 0, x1, draw->image->Xsize - 1 );
-	x2 = VIPS_CLIP( 0, x2, draw->image->Xsize - 1 );
-
-	mp = VIPS_IMAGE_ADDR( draw->image, x1, y );
-	len = x2 - x1 + 1;
-
-	for( i = 0; i < len; i++ ) {
-		vips__draw_pel( draw, mp );
-		mp += draw->psize;
-	}
-}
-
diff --git a/libvips/draw/draw_circle.c b/libvips/draw/draw_circle.c
index aa33bb7b..eec0d940 100644
--- a/libvips/draw/draw_circle.c
+++ b/libvips/draw/draw_circle.c
@@ -57,10 +57,10 @@
 
 #include <vips/vips.h>
 
-#include "pdraw.h"
+#include "drawink.h"
 
 typedef struct _VipsDrawCircle {
-	VipsDraw parent_object;
+	VipsDrawink parent_object;
 
 	int cx;
 	int cy;
@@ -70,46 +70,47 @@ typedef struct _VipsDrawCircle {
 	VipsPel *centre;
 } VipsDrawCircle;
 
-typedef VipsDrawClass VipsDrawCircleClass;
+typedef VipsDrawinkClass VipsDrawCircleClass;
 
-G_DEFINE_TYPE( VipsDrawCircle, vips_draw_circle, VIPS_TYPE_DRAW );
+G_DEFINE_TYPE( VipsDrawCircle, vips_draw_circle, VIPS_TYPE_DRAWINK );
 
 static void
 vips_draw_circle_octants( VipsDrawCircle *circle, int x, int y )
 {
 	VipsDraw *draw = VIPS_DRAW( circle );
+	VipsDrawink *drawink = VIPS_DRAWINK( circle );
 	const int cx = circle->cx;
 	const int cy = circle->cy;
 
 	if( circle->fill ) {
-		vips__draw_scanline( draw, cy + y, cx - x, cx + x );
-		vips__draw_scanline( draw, cy - y, cx - x, cx + x );
-		vips__draw_scanline( draw, cy + x, cx - y, cx + y );
-		vips__draw_scanline( draw, cy - x, cx - y, cx + y );
+		vips__drawink_scanline( drawink, cy + y, cx - x, cx + x );
+		vips__drawink_scanline( drawink, cy - y, cx - x, cx + x );
+		vips__drawink_scanline( drawink, cy + x, cx - y, cx + y );
+		vips__drawink_scanline( drawink, cy - x, cx - y, cx + y );
 	}
 	else if( draw->noclip ) {
 		const size_t lsize = draw->lsize;
 		const size_t psize = draw->psize;
 		VipsPel *centre = circle->centre;
 
-		vips__draw_pel( draw, centre + lsize * y - psize * x );
-		vips__draw_pel( draw, centre + lsize * y + psize * x );
-		vips__draw_pel( draw, centre - lsize * y - psize * x );
-		vips__draw_pel( draw, centre - lsize * y + psize * x );
-		vips__draw_pel( draw, centre + lsize * x - psize * y );
-		vips__draw_pel( draw, centre + lsize * x + psize * y );
-		vips__draw_pel( draw, centre - lsize * x - psize * y );
-		vips__draw_pel( draw, centre - lsize * x + psize * y );
+		vips__drawink_pel( drawink, centre + lsize * y - psize * x );
+		vips__drawink_pel( drawink, centre + lsize * y + psize * x );
+		vips__drawink_pel( drawink, centre - lsize * y - psize * x );
+		vips__drawink_pel( drawink, centre - lsize * y + psize * x );
+		vips__drawink_pel( drawink, centre + lsize * x - psize * y );
+		vips__drawink_pel( drawink, centre + lsize * x + psize * y );
+		vips__drawink_pel( drawink, centre - lsize * x - psize * y );
+		vips__drawink_pel( drawink, centre - lsize * x + psize * y );
 	}
 	else {
-		vips__draw_pel_clip( draw, cx + y, cy - x );
-		vips__draw_pel_clip( draw, cx + y, cy + x );
-		vips__draw_pel_clip( draw, cx - y, cy - x );
-		vips__draw_pel_clip( draw, cx - y, cy + x );
-		vips__draw_pel_clip( draw, cx + x, cy - y );
-		vips__draw_pel_clip( draw, cx + x, cy + y );
-		vips__draw_pel_clip( draw, cx - x, cy - y );
-		vips__draw_pel_clip( draw, cx - x, cy + y );
+		vips__drawink_pel_clip( drawink, cx + y, cy - x );
+		vips__drawink_pel_clip( drawink, cx + y, cy + x );
+		vips__drawink_pel_clip( drawink, cx - y, cy - x );
+		vips__drawink_pel_clip( drawink, cx - y, cy + x );
+		vips__drawink_pel_clip( drawink, cx + x, cy - y );
+		vips__drawink_pel_clip( drawink, cx + x, cy + y );
+		vips__drawink_pel_clip( drawink, cx - x, cy - y );
+		vips__drawink_pel_clip( drawink, cx - x, cy + y );
 	}
 }
 
@@ -121,7 +122,8 @@ vips_draw_circle_build( VipsObject *object )
 
 	int x, y, d;
 
-	if( VIPS_OBJECT_CLASS( vips_draw_circle_parent_class )->build( object ) )
+	if( VIPS_OBJECT_CLASS( vips_draw_circle_parent_class )->
+		build( object ) )
 		return( -1 );
 
 	circle->centre = VIPS_IMAGE_ADDR( draw->image, circle->cx, circle->cy );
diff --git a/libvips/draw/draw_flood.c b/libvips/draw/draw_flood.c
index 3537728f..f265904b 100644
--- a/libvips/draw/draw_flood.c
+++ b/libvips/draw/draw_flood.c
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
 #include <vips/vips.h>
 #include <vips/internal.h>
 
-#include "pdraw.h"
+#include "drawink.h"
 
 /* Size of a scanline buffer. We allocate a list of these to hold scanlines 
  * we need to visit.
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ typedef struct _Buffer {
 /* Base class.
  */
 typedef struct _VipsDrawFlood {
-	VipsDraw draw;
+	VipsDrawink parent_object;
 
 	/* Parameters.
 	 */
@@ -130,9 +130,9 @@ typedef struct _VipsDrawFlood {
 	Buffer *out;
 } VipsDrawFlood;
 
-typedef VipsDrawClass VipsDrawFloodClass;
+typedef VipsDrawinkClass VipsDrawFloodClass;
 
-G_DEFINE_TYPE( VipsDrawFlood, vips_draw_flood, VIPS_TYPE_DRAW );
+G_DEFINE_TYPE( VipsDrawFlood, vips_draw_flood, VIPS_TYPE_DRAWINK );
 
 /* Alloc a new buffer.
  */
@@ -220,6 +220,7 @@ static void
 vips_draw_flood_scanline( VipsDrawFlood *flood, int x, int y, int *x1, int *x2 )
 {
 	VipsDraw *draw = VIPS_DRAW( flood );
+	VipsDrawink *drawink = VIPS_DRAWINK( flood );
 	const int width = flood->test->Xsize;
 
 	VipsPel *tp;
@@ -227,7 +228,7 @@ vips_draw_flood_scanline( VipsDrawFlood *flood, int x, int y, int *x1, int *x2 )
 
 	g_assert( vips_draw_flood_connected( flood, 
 		VIPS_IMAGE_ADDR( flood->test, x, y ) ) );
-	g_assert( !vips__draw_painted( draw, 
+	g_assert( !vips__drawink_painted( drawink, 
 		VIPS_IMAGE_ADDR( draw->image, x, y ) ) );
 
 	/* Search to the right for the first non-connected pixel. If the start
@@ -254,7 +255,7 @@ vips_draw_flood_scanline( VipsDrawFlood *flood, int x, int y, int *x1, int *x2 )
 
 	/* Paint the range we discovered.
 	 */
-	vips__draw_scanline( draw, y, *x1, *x2 );
+	vips__drawink_scanline( drawink, y, *x1, *x2 );
 
 	flood->left = VIPS_MIN( flood->left, *x1 );
 	flood->right = VIPS_MAX( flood->right, *x2 );
@@ -269,6 +270,7 @@ static void
 vips_draw_flood_around( VipsDrawFlood *flood, Scan *scan )
 {
 	VipsDraw *draw = VIPS_DRAW( flood );
+	VipsDrawink *drawink = VIPS_DRAWINK( flood );
 
 	VipsPel *tp;
 	int x;
@@ -292,7 +294,7 @@ vips_draw_flood_around( VipsDrawFlood *flood, Scan *scan )
 				VipsPel *mp = VIPS_IMAGE_ADDR( 
 					draw->image, x, scan->y );
 
-				if( vips__draw_painted( draw, mp ) )
+				if( vips__drawink_painted( drawink, mp ) )
 					continue;
 			}
 
@@ -368,6 +370,7 @@ vips_draw_flood_build( VipsObject *object )
 {
 	VipsObjectClass *class = VIPS_OBJECT_GET_CLASS( object ); 
 	VipsDraw *draw = VIPS_DRAW( object );
+	VipsDrawink *drawink = VIPS_DRAWINK( object );
 	VipsDrawFlood *flood = (VipsDrawFlood *) object;
 
 	int j; 
@@ -409,8 +412,7 @@ vips_draw_flood_build( VipsObject *object )
 		 */
 		if( flood->test == draw->image ) { 
 			for( j = 0; j < flood->tsize; j++ ) 
-				if( flood->edge[j] != 
-					VIPS_DRAW( flood )->pixel_ink[j] ) 
+				if( flood->edge[j] != drawink->pixel_ink[j] ) 
 					break;
 
 			if( j != flood->tsize )
@@ -424,7 +426,7 @@ vips_draw_flood_build( VipsObject *object )
 		 * @ink. 
 		 */
 		if( !(flood->edge = vips__vector_to_ink( class->nickname, 
-			flood->test, draw->ink->data, draw->ink->n )) )
+			flood->test, drawink->ink->data, drawink->ink->n )) )
 			return( -1 );
 
 		vips_draw_flood_all( flood );
diff --git a/libvips/draw/draw_image.c b/libvips/draw/draw_image.c
index 0bf2491a..d095e03b 100644
--- a/libvips/draw/draw_image.c
+++ b/libvips/draw/draw_image.c
@@ -219,8 +219,7 @@ vips_draw_image( VipsImage *image, VipsImage *sub, int x, int y, ... )
 	int result;
 
 	va_start( ap, y );
-	result = vips_call_split( "draw_image", ap, 
-		image, NULL, sub, x, y );
+	result = vips_call_split( "draw_image", ap, image, sub, x, y );
 	va_end( ap );
 
 	return( result );
diff --git a/libvips/draw/draw_line.c b/libvips/draw/draw_line.c
index 7a2348fd..91d216b0 100644
--- a/libvips/draw/draw_line.c
+++ b/libvips/draw/draw_line.c
@@ -61,10 +61,9 @@
 
 #include <vips/vips.h>
 
-#include "pdraw.h"
 #include "draw_line.h"
 
-G_DEFINE_TYPE( VipsDrawLine, vips_draw_line, VIPS_TYPE_DRAW );
+G_DEFINE_TYPE( VipsDrawLine, vips_draw_line, VIPS_TYPE_DRAWINK );
 
 static int
 vips_draw_line_draw( VipsDrawLine *line )
@@ -248,11 +247,13 @@ static int
 vips_draw_line_plot_point( VipsDrawLine *line, int x, int y ) 
 {
 	VipsDraw *draw = (VipsDraw *) line;
+	VipsDrawink *drawink = (VipsDrawink *) line;
 
 	if( draw->noclip )
-		vips__draw_pel( draw, VIPS_IMAGE_ADDR( draw->image, x, y ) );
+		vips__drawink_pel( drawink, 
+			VIPS_IMAGE_ADDR( draw->image, x, y ) );
 	else
-		vips__draw_pel_clip( draw, x, y );
+		vips__drawink_pel_clip( drawink, x, y );
 
 	return( 0 );
 }
diff --git a/libvips/draw/draw_line.h b/libvips/draw/draw_line.h
index efcb197e..23fb3e27 100644
--- a/libvips/draw/draw_line.h
+++ b/libvips/draw/draw_line.h
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@
 extern "C" {
 #endif /*__cplusplus*/
 
+#include "drawink.h"
+
 #define VIPS_TYPE_DRAW_LINE (vips_draw_line_get_type())
 #define VIPS_DRAW_LINE( obj ) \
 	(G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE_CAST( (obj), \
@@ -51,7 +53,7 @@ extern "C" {
 		VIPS_TYPE_DRAW_LINE, VipsDrawLineClass ))
 
 typedef struct _VipsDrawLine {
-	VipsDraw parent_object;
+	VipsDrawink parent_object;
 
 	int x1;
 	int y1;
@@ -64,7 +66,7 @@ typedef struct _VipsDrawLine {
 } VipsDrawLine;
 
 typedef struct _VipsDrawLineClass {
-	VipsDrawClass parent_class;
+	VipsDrawinkClass parent_class;
 
 	int (*plot_point)( VipsDrawLine *, int x, int y ); 
 } VipsDrawLineClass; 
diff --git a/libvips/draw/draw_line_mask.c b/libvips/draw/draw_line_mask.c
index 4303fa66..f27a68e1 100644
--- a/libvips/draw/draw_line_mask.c
+++ b/libvips/draw/draw_line_mask.c
@@ -60,7 +60,6 @@
 
 #include <vips/vips.h>
 
-#include "pdraw.h"
 #include "draw_line.h"
 
 typedef struct _VipsDrawLineMask {
@@ -78,10 +77,12 @@ static int
 vips_draw_line_mask_plot_point( VipsDrawLine *line, int x, int y ) 
 {
 	VipsDraw *draw = (VipsDraw *) line;
+	VipsDrawink *drawink = (VipsDrawink *) line;
 	VipsDrawLineMask *mask = (VipsDrawLineMask *) line;
 
 	return( vips_draw_mask( draw->image, 
-		draw->ink->data, draw->ink->n, mask->mask, x, y, NULL ) ); 
+		drawink->ink->data, drawink->ink->n, 
+		mask->mask, x, y, NULL ) ); 
 }
 
 static void
@@ -155,7 +156,8 @@ vips_draw_line_mask( VipsImage *image,
 	int result;
 
 	va_start( ap, mask );
-	result = vips_draw_line_maskv( image, ink, n, x1, y1, x2, y2, mask, ap );
+	result = vips_draw_line_maskv( image, 
+		ink, n, x1, y1, x2, y2, mask, ap );
 	va_end( ap );
 
 	return( result );
diff --git a/libvips/draw/draw_mask.c b/libvips/draw/draw_mask.c
index 81c05b6e..e118be5c 100644
--- a/libvips/draw/draw_mask.c
+++ b/libvips/draw/draw_mask.c
@@ -60,10 +60,10 @@
 #include <vips/vips.h>
 #include <vips/internal.h>
 
-#include "pdraw.h"
+#include "drawink.h"
 
 typedef struct _VipsDrawMask {
-	VipsDraw parent_object;
+	VipsDrawink parent_object;
 
 	/* Parameters.
 	 */
@@ -78,11 +78,11 @@ typedef struct _VipsDrawMask {
 } VipsDrawMask;
 
 typedef struct _VipsDrawMaskClass {
-	VipsDrawClass parent_class;
+	VipsDrawinkClass parent_class;
 
 } VipsDrawMaskClass; 
 
-G_DEFINE_TYPE( VipsDrawMask, vips_draw_mask, VIPS_TYPE_DRAW );
+G_DEFINE_TYPE( VipsDrawMask, vips_draw_mask, VIPS_TYPE_DRAWINK );
 
 /* Paint ink into an 8 or 16 bit integer image.
  */
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ static int
 vips_draw_mask_draw_labq( VipsDrawMask *mask )
 {
 	VipsDraw *draw = VIPS_DRAW( mask );
+	VipsDrawink *drawink = VIPS_DRAWINK( mask );
 	int width = mask->image_clip.width;
 	int height = mask->image_clip.height;
 	int bands = draw->image->Bands; 
@@ -153,7 +154,7 @@ vips_draw_mask_draw_labq( VipsDrawMask *mask )
 			y + mask->mask_clip.top );
 
 		vips__LabQ2Lab_vec( lab_buffer, to, width );
-		DBLEND( float, lab_buffer, (double *) draw->ink->data );
+		DBLEND( float, lab_buffer, (double *) drawink->ink->data );
 		vips__Lab2LabQ_vec( to, lab_buffer, width );
 	}
 
@@ -166,6 +167,7 @@ static int
 vips_draw_mask_draw( VipsDrawMask *mask )
 {
 	VipsDraw *draw = VIPS_DRAW( mask );
+	VipsDrawink *drawink = VIPS_DRAWINK( mask );
 	int width = mask->image_clip.width;
 	int height = mask->image_clip.height;
 	int bands = draw->image->Bands; 
@@ -182,43 +184,43 @@ vips_draw_mask_draw( VipsDrawMask *mask )
 
 		switch( draw->image->BandFmt ) {
 		case VIPS_FORMAT_UCHAR: 
-			IBLEND( unsigned char, to, draw->pixel_ink );
+			IBLEND( unsigned char, to, drawink->pixel_ink );
 			break;
 
 		case VIPS_FORMAT_CHAR: 
-			IBLEND( signed char, to, draw->pixel_ink );
+			IBLEND( signed char, to, drawink->pixel_ink );
 			break;
 
 		case VIPS_FORMAT_USHORT: 
-			IBLEND( unsigned short, to, draw->pixel_ink );
+			IBLEND( unsigned short, to, drawink->pixel_ink );
 			break;
 
 		case VIPS_FORMAT_SHORT: 
-			IBLEND( signed short, to, draw->pixel_ink );
+			IBLEND( signed short, to, drawink->pixel_ink );
 			break;
 
 		case VIPS_FORMAT_UINT: 
-			DBLEND( unsigned int, to, draw->pixel_ink );
+			DBLEND( unsigned int, to, drawink->pixel_ink );
 			break;
 
 		case VIPS_FORMAT_INT: 
-			DBLEND( signed int, to, draw->pixel_ink );
+			DBLEND( signed int, to, drawink->pixel_ink );
 			break;
 
 		case VIPS_FORMAT_FLOAT:  
-			DBLEND( float, to, draw->pixel_ink );
+			DBLEND( float, to, drawink->pixel_ink );
 			break;
 
 		case VIPS_FORMAT_DOUBLE:
-			DBLEND( double, to, draw->pixel_ink );
+			DBLEND( double, to, drawink->pixel_ink );
 			break;
 
 		case VIPS_FORMAT_COMPLEX:
-			CBLEND( float, to, draw->pixel_ink );
+			CBLEND( float, to, drawink->pixel_ink );
 			break;
 
 		case VIPS_FORMAT_DPCOMPLEX:
-			CBLEND( double, to, draw->pixel_ink );
+			CBLEND( double, to, drawink->pixel_ink );
 			break;
 
 		default:
diff --git a/libvips/draw/draw_rect.c b/libvips/draw/draw_rect.c
index cb5863e7..0575435d 100644
--- a/libvips/draw/draw_rect.c
+++ b/libvips/draw/draw_rect.c
@@ -60,10 +60,10 @@
 #include <vips/vips.h>
 #include <vips/internal.h>
 
-#include "pdraw.h"
+#include "drawink.h"
 
 typedef struct _VipsDrawRect {
-	VipsDraw parent_object;
+	VipsDrawink parent_object;
 
 	/* Parameters.
 	 */
@@ -76,16 +76,17 @@ typedef struct _VipsDrawRect {
 } VipsDrawRect;
 
 typedef struct _VipsDrawRectClass {
-	VipsDrawClass parent_class;
+	VipsDrawinkClass parent_class;
 
 } VipsDrawRectClass; 
 
-G_DEFINE_TYPE( VipsDrawRect, vips_draw_rect, VIPS_TYPE_DRAW );
+G_DEFINE_TYPE( VipsDrawRect, vips_draw_rect, VIPS_TYPE_DRAWINK );
 
 static int
 vips_draw_rect_build( VipsObject *object )
 {
 	VipsDraw *draw = VIPS_DRAW( object );
+	VipsDrawink *drawink = VIPS_DRAWINK( object );
 	VipsDrawRect *draw_rect = (VipsDrawRect *) object;
 	int left = draw_rect->left;
 	int top = draw_rect->top;
@@ -105,16 +106,16 @@ vips_draw_rect_build( VipsObject *object )
 		width > 2 &&
 		height > 2 ) 
 		return( vips_draw_rect( draw->image, 
-				draw->ink->data, draw->ink->n, 
+				drawink->ink->data, drawink->ink->n, 
 				left, top, width, 1, NULL ) ||
 			vips_draw_rect( draw->image, 
-				draw->ink->data, draw->ink->n, 
+				drawink->ink->data, drawink->ink->n, 
 				left + width - 1, top, 1, height, NULL ) ||
 			vips_draw_rect( draw->image, 
-				draw->ink->data, draw->ink->n, 
+				drawink->ink->data, drawink->ink->n, 
 				left, top + height - 1, width, 1, NULL ) ||
 			vips_draw_rect( draw->image, 
-				draw->ink->data, draw->ink->n, 
+				drawink->ink->data, drawink->ink->n, 
 				left, top, 1, height, NULL ) );
 
 	image.left = 0;
@@ -140,7 +141,7 @@ vips_draw_rect_build( VipsObject *object )
 
 		q = to;
 		for( x = 0; x < clip.width; x++ ) {
-			vips__draw_pel( draw, q );
+			vips__drawink_pel( drawink, q );
 			q += draw->psize;
 		}
 
diff --git a/libvips/draw/draw_smudge.c b/libvips/draw/draw_smudge.c
index c1a5425f..1e1abeef 100644
--- a/libvips/draw/draw_smudge.c
+++ b/libvips/draw/draw_smudge.c
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ vips_draw_smudge( VipsImage *image,
 
 	va_start( ap, height );
 	result = vips_call_split( "draw_smudge", ap, 
-		image, NULL, left, top, width, height ); 
+		image, left, top, width, height ); 
 	va_end( ap );
 
 	return( result );
diff --git a/libvips/draw/drawink.c b/libvips/draw/drawink.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7427a530
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libvips/draw/drawink.c
@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+/* drawink with a constant ink
+ *
+ * 27/9/10
+ *	- from im_drawink_circle()
+ * 17/11/10
+ * 	- oops, scanline clipping was off by 1
+ */
+
+/*
+
+    This file is part of VIPS.
+    
+    VIPS is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+    the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+    (at your option) any later version.
+
+    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+    along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+    Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA
+    02110-1301  USA
+
+ */
+
+/*
+
+    These files are distributed with VIPS - http://www.vips.ecs.soton.ac.uk
+
+ */
+
+#ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
+#include <config.h>
+#endif /*HAVE_CONFIG_H*/
+#include <vips/intl.h>
+
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include <vips/vips.h>
+#include <vips/internal.h>
+
+#include "drawink.h"
+
+G_DEFINE_ABSTRACT_TYPE( VipsDrawink, vips_drawink, VIPS_TYPE_DRAW );
+
+static int
+vips_drawink_build( VipsObject *object )
+{
+	VipsObjectClass *class = VIPS_OBJECT_GET_CLASS( object );
+	VipsDraw *draw = VIPS_DRAW( object );
+	VipsDrawink *drawink = VIPS_DRAWINK( object );
+
+#ifdef DEBUG
+	printf( "vips_drawink_build: " );
+	vips_object_print_name( object );
+	printf( "\n" );
+#endif /*DEBUG*/
+
+	if( VIPS_OBJECT_CLASS( vips_drawink_parent_class )->build( object ) )
+		return( -1 );
+
+	if( drawink->ink &&
+		!(drawink->pixel_ink = vips__vector_to_ink( 
+			class->nickname, draw->image,
+			drawink->ink->data, drawink->ink->n )) )
+		return( -1 );
+
+	return( 0 );
+}
+
+static void
+vips_drawink_class_init( VipsDrawinkClass *class )
+{
+	GObjectClass *gobject_class = G_OBJECT_CLASS( class );
+	VipsObjectClass *vobject_class = VIPS_OBJECT_CLASS( class );
+
+	gobject_class->set_property = vips_object_set_property;
+	gobject_class->get_property = vips_object_get_property;
+
+	vobject_class->nickname = "drawink";
+	vobject_class->description = _( "Draw with ink operations" );
+	vobject_class->build = vips_drawink_build;
+
+	VIPS_ARG_BOXED( class, "ink", 2, 
+		_( "Ink" ), 
+		_( "Colour for pixels" ),
+		VIPS_ARGUMENT_REQUIRED_INPUT,
+		G_STRUCT_OFFSET( VipsDrawink, ink ),
+		VIPS_TYPE_ARRAY_DOUBLE );
+
+}
+
+static void
+vips_drawink_init( VipsDrawink *drawink )
+{
+	drawink->ink = 
+		vips_area_new_array( G_TYPE_DOUBLE, sizeof( double ), 1 ); 
+	((double *) (drawink->ink->data))[0] = 0;
+}
+
+/* Fill a scanline between points x1 and x2 inclusive. x1 < x2.
+ */
+void 
+vips__drawink_scanline( VipsDrawink *drawink, int y, int x1, int x2 )
+{
+	VipsDraw *draw = (VipsDraw *) drawink;
+
+	VipsPel *mp;
+	int i;
+	int len;
+
+	g_assert( x1 <= x2 );
+
+	if( y < 0 || 
+		y >= draw->image->Ysize )
+		return;
+	if( x1 < 0 && 
+		x2 < 0 )
+		return;
+	if( x1 >= draw->image->Xsize && 
+		x2 >= draw->image->Xsize )
+		return;
+	x1 = VIPS_CLIP( 0, x1, draw->image->Xsize - 1 );
+	x2 = VIPS_CLIP( 0, x2, draw->image->Xsize - 1 );
+
+	mp = VIPS_IMAGE_ADDR( draw->image, x1, y );
+	len = x2 - x1 + 1;
+
+	for( i = 0; i < len; i++ ) {
+		vips__drawink_pel( drawink, mp );
+		mp += draw->psize;
+	}
+}
+
diff --git a/libvips/draw/drawink.h b/libvips/draw/drawink.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9400788e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libvips/draw/drawink.h
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+/* a drawink operation with an ink param
+ */
+
+/*
+
+    This file is part of VIPS.
+    
+    VIPS is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+    the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+    (at your option) any later version.
+
+    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+    along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+    Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA
+    02110-1301  USA
+
+ */
+
+/*
+
+    These files are distributed with VIPS - http://www.vips.ecs.soton.ac.uk
+
+ */
+
+#ifndef VIPS_DRAWINK_H
+#define VIPS_DRAWINK_H
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif /*__cplusplus*/
+
+#include "pdraw.h"
+
+#define VIPS_TYPE_DRAWINK (vips_drawink_get_type())
+#define VIPS_DRAWINK( obj ) \
+	(G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE_CAST( (obj), \
+		VIPS_TYPE_DRAWINK, VipsDrawink ))
+#define VIPS_DRAWINK_CLASS( klass ) \
+	(G_TYPE_CHECK_CLASS_CAST( (klass), \
+		VIPS_TYPE_DRAWINK, VipsDrawinkClass))
+#define VIPS_IS_DRAWINK( obj ) \
+	(G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE_TYPE( (obj), VIPS_TYPE_DRAWINK ))
+#define VIPS_IS_DRAWINK_CLASS( klass ) \
+	(G_TYPE_CHECK_CLASS_TYPE( (klass), VIPS_TYPE_DRAWINK ))
+#define VIPS_DRAWINK_GET_CLASS( obj ) \
+	(G_TYPE_INSTANCE_GET_CLASS( (obj), \
+		VIPS_TYPE_DRAWINK, VipsDrawinkClass ))
+
+typedef struct _VipsDrawink {
+	VipsDraw parent_instance;
+
+	/* Parameters.
+	 */
+	VipsArea *ink;		/* With this */
+
+	/* Ink cast to pixel type.
+	 */
+	VipsPel *pixel_ink;
+} VipsDrawink;
+
+typedef struct _VipsDrawinkClass {
+	VipsDrawClass parent_class;
+
+} VipsDrawinkClass;
+
+GType vips_drawink_get_type( void );
+
+static inline void
+vips__drawink_pel( VipsDrawink *drawink, VipsPel *q )
+{
+	VipsDraw *draw = (VipsDraw *) drawink;
+
+ 	int j;
+
+	/* Faster than memcopy() for n < about 20.
+	 */
+	for( j = 0; j < draw->psize; j++ ) 
+		q[j] = drawink->pixel_ink[j];
+}
+
+/* Paint, with clip.
+ */
+static inline void 
+vips__drawink_pel_clip( VipsDrawink *drawink, int x, int y )
+{
+	VipsDraw *draw = (VipsDraw *) drawink;
+
+	if( x < 0 || 
+		x >= draw->image->Xsize )
+		return;
+	if( y < 0 || 
+		y >= draw->image->Ysize )
+		return;
+
+	vips__drawink_pel( drawink, VIPS_IMAGE_ADDR( draw->image, x, y ) );
+}
+
+/* Is p painted?
+ */
+static inline gboolean
+vips__drawink_painted( VipsDrawink *drawink, VipsPel *p )
+{
+	VipsDraw *draw = (VipsDraw *) drawink;
+
+ 	int j;
+
+	for( j = 0; j < draw->psize; j++ ) 
+		if( p[j] != drawink->pixel_ink[j] ) 
+			break;
+
+	return( j == draw->psize );
+}
+
+void vips__drawink_scanline( VipsDrawink *drawink, int y, int x1, int x2 );
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+}
+#endif /*__cplusplus*/
+
+#endif /*VIPS_DRAWINK_H*/
diff --git a/libvips/draw/pdraw.h b/libvips/draw/pdraw.h
index 26e22762..21a51ccf 100644
--- a/libvips/draw/pdraw.h
+++ b/libvips/draw/pdraw.h
@@ -56,17 +56,12 @@ typedef struct _VipsDraw {
 	/* Parameters.
 	 */
 	VipsImage *image;	/* Draw here */
-	VipsArea *ink;		/* With this */
 
 	/* Derived stuff.
 	 */
 	size_t lsize;
 	size_t psize;
 
-	/* Ink cast to pixel type.
-	 */
-	VipsPel *pixel_ink;
-
 	/* If the object to draw is entirely within the image, we have a 
 	 * faster noclip path.
 	 */
@@ -80,48 +75,6 @@ typedef struct _VipsDrawClass {
 
 GType vips_draw_get_type( void );
 
-static inline void
-vips__draw_pel( VipsDraw *draw, VipsPel *q )
-{
- 	int j;
-
-	/* Faster than memcopy() for n < about 20.
-	 */
-	for( j = 0; j < draw->psize; j++ ) 
-		q[j] = draw->pixel_ink[j];
-}
-
-/* Paint, with clip.
- */
-static inline void 
-vips__draw_pel_clip( VipsDraw *draw, int x, int y )
-{
-	if( x < 0 || 
-		x >= draw->image->Xsize )
-		return;
-	if( y < 0 || 
-		y >= draw->image->Ysize )
-		return;
-
-	vips__draw_pel( draw, VIPS_IMAGE_ADDR( draw->image, x, y ) );
-}
-
-/* Is p painted?
- */
-static inline gboolean
-vips__draw_painted( VipsDraw *draw, VipsPel *p )
-{
- 	int j;
-
-	for( j = 0; j < draw->psize; j++ ) 
-		if( p[j] != draw->pixel_ink[j] ) 
-			break;
-
-	return( j == draw->psize );
-}
-
-void vips__draw_scanline( VipsDraw *draw, int y, int x1, int x2 );
-
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif /*__cplusplus*/