An image forming method applying a pretreatment liquid on the surface of a recording medium; and applying an inkjet ink including a colorant, a hydrosoluble organic solvent, a surfactant and water on the surface applied with the pretreatment liquid, wherein the hydrosoluble organic solvent includes at least one polyol including an equilibrium water content in an amount not less than 30% by weight at 23° C. and 80% RH; an amide compound having the following formula (I); and at least one of compounds having the following formulae (II) to (IV), and wherein a pure water transfers to the recording medium in an amount of from 1 to 15 mL/m2 when measured by a dynamic scanning liquid absorptometer at a contact time of 100 ms.