An image forming method includes: applying an ink composition including a pigment having a volume average particle diameter of 70 nm to 130 nm, a polymerizable compound, and water, onto a recording medium using an inkjet under a condition that a maximum application amount of the ink composition is 15 ml/m2 or less; applying, onto the recording medium, a treatment liquid including an aggregating agent that is capable of aggregating components in the ink composition; removing at least a part of the water contained in the ink composition that has been applied onto the recording medium, under a drying condition such that 60% by mass to 80% by mass of the water contained in the ink composition applied at the maximum application amount is removed, thereby performing drying; and irradiating, with an active energy ray, the ink composition from which water has been removed, thereby performing polymerization.