Yesterday’s bouquet, today’s ink
Posted: February 15, 2025 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: bouquet, flowers, ink drawing 25 CommentsLast month, one of my students let me try her Lamy pen that had been filled with De Atramentis Pipe Tobacco brown ink. I couldn’t detect the fragrance of the ink, but I did love the way the ink lines dissolved when you hit them with a little clear water. I tried to find the ink from my local suppliers but no luck. So today I headed downtown to the pen shop and I bought some Diamine Ancient Copper ink. It’s not quite as brown as the tobacco ink, but besides having a beautiful name, it has other qualities that are quite wonderful.
It has a deep orange/pink tone that is perfect for the pale pink amaryllis that are the stars of this bouquet. And what I like about it is that the more you go over the lines with your brush, the more they dissolve until you have lost them altogether. Not all water-soluble inks do that. The final sketch looks like part painting, part ink drawing. Tomorrow I’ll experiment further with this. I’ll draw with copper ink and paint on top of that with watercolour. If the results are decent, I’ll post that drawing too.
Lovely bouquet in one color!
Thanks Robyn!
Beautiful. I love the Diamine and d’ Atrimentis inks. I usually use their document inks which won’t do what you did above. But I might experiment with some water soluble inks.
Thanks Dan. I have a few De Atramentis document inks too, including a brown one. I love them but you’re right, they are permanent.
It’s beautiful did you try Goulet pen company for the tobacco ink? I could mail you some to your next USA workshop if you want
Suzy
I don’t think they have it in stock. But there are other nice brown inks that I will try too.
this is beautiful
Thanks so much Beth!
Your bouquet is beautiful! This sounds fun!
Thanks De.
Do you recommend a basic fountain pen that I could refill myself? I don’t want to spend over $100 for starters
Ruth, I like the Lamy Safari. It’s not too expensive., about $30.
And I just bought a Platinum Preppy. https://www.jetpens.com/Platinum-Preppy-Fountain-Pen-Black-02-Extra-Fine/pd/24020
It’s only $7 and it’s really nice. I bought some cartridges to go with it but you can also use a converter and fill it with your own ink.
Shari
Hi, Shari…….Just a note to tell you how very much I love your emails! They are always chocked full of information and fun. Very much like receiving a letter from a friend. I really like the inks you introduced me to. The copper color is amazing! It has been years since I used a fountain pen and it was quite a shock to see the prices!! I was happy to hear you enjoyed your stay in Tucson. We lived just north of the guest ranch. My son worked there when he was in high school! Let’s just say that was quite awhile ago……….lol!
Looking forward to the next email,
Suzanne Bell
Suzanne, thanks for writing. I’m so glad you enjoy the emails! That makes me happy to hear.
As for Tucson, I always love going there! That must have been quite amazing for your son to work there. There are so many young people. It seems like a great experience!
This color is absolutely gorgeous!
Thanks Lois!
Inky and dissolving ink drawings are such fun! Maybe add a drop of alcohol to a wash and see what that does – might make some cool surprises! This is lovely.
I will try that!!
Montreal has a pen store? I am trying to avoid buying on Amazon and it would be great to buy local. Could you share the name of the store.
Thanks
Of course! The store is Stylo, and it’s in the Scotia Bank Centre on Ste. Catherine, just below Simon’s. They have a great website too: https://www.stylo.ca/en/pages/accueil/index.html
Thank you so much.
Good Evening dear friend Shari,
This done beautiful. Creating image with solo color is indeed proficient.
All the best and good luck.
With blessings
Uma
Many thanks my friend.
Hi Shari,
Was wondering what size nib you used on your safari for the drawing. I have a Safari with an extra fine nib, but the line is not nearly as thin as the ones in your drawing which I really like a lot. When you bought your Platinum Preppy, what size nib did you use get?
Thank you for being so generous with your information.
Pat Dehn
Hi Pat,
On my Safari, I have an EF nib. And even though that is the finest you can get, it is still thicker than other pens. Maybe my line looks finer because my drawing is bigger than what you think. It could be that.
As for the Preppy, I also have an EF, but that one is really fine.
I am working a lot with pens these days because I am working on a new online course that uses pens!
Shari