A recording method performs recording on a recording medium using a
pigment ink and a reaction liquid that has a higher surface tension than
that of the pigment ink and contains a polyvalent metal salt capable of
agglomerating the pigment ink. The method includes the steps of applying
the reaction liquid on the recording medium, and bringing the pigment ink
into contact with a surface of the reaction liquid that is present on the
recording medium so that a filmy agglomerate, composed of an
agglomeration of pigment aggregates produced by contact between the
reaction liquid and the pigment ink, is formed on the surface of the
reaction liquid applied on the recording medium. The pigment aggregates
migrate on the surface of the reaction liquid toward a boundary between
the reaction liquid and the recording medium, and by the migration of the
pigment aggregates, an agglomeration of the pigment aggregates is formed
along the surface of the reaction liquid, and thereby the filmy
agglomerate is formed on the surface of the reaction liquid.