An object of the present invention is to provide an ink composition with which images with high quality without white streaks or roughness can be provided even when the images are printed at a low resolution on coated printing paper such as art paper. The ink composition for ink jet recording at least includes a colorant, water, an alcohol solvent, and a surfactant, wherein the alcohol solvent contains a slightly water-soluble alkanediol, a water-soluble 1,2-alkanediol, and a dialkylene glycol.