An ink composition that achieves high-quality images free of white streaks or rough textures even when low-resolution printing is performed on printing paper such as art paper. The ink composition contains at least a colorant, water, and a surfactant, and further contains a sparingly water-soluble alkanediol, a water-soluble 1,2-alkanediol, a dialkylene glycol, and a water-soluble alkanetriol or a sugar. This ink composition is used in an ink jet recording method.