Sympathy Ink

[Charles Rice]

I just sent off a letter of sympathy to the daughter of a very good friend of mine who died on Friday. No, I don't want to pull on any heart strings. I was glad I had a bottle of Manhattan Blue on hand as I could think of nothing else that I had that would be proper. Certainly not black.

 

Anyone else ever given this any thought?

[ac12]

I normally use black for sympathy cards.

My alternate would be a very dark blue.

 

I think I recall Gabriel saying a dark gray, reflecting sadness. Black being a strong color was not appropriate.

[Joane]

For a recent sympathy card I used MB Midnight Blue but if Royal Blue had been in the pen, I would have equally used that. I like a sympathy card to look uplifting and feel blue tones have that vibe.

[napalm]

I agree that black is too strong for teared eyes.

 

However from you we would have expected some muted pink, not blue?

[swanjun]

I hadn't considered it before, but I think I'd use a pretty iron gall blue-black, like ESSRI.

[Charles Rice]

However from you we would have expected some muted pink, not blue?

I don't have any.

[Charles Rice]

This somewhat begs the questions as to what are the proper colors for other life events, e.g. weddings, births, etc.

[napalm]

Happy colors. Lighter shades of happy colors. Light blue, red, pink, violet etc. No place for black, blue black, teal, greens.

[Fabienne]

I normally use black for sympathy. A muted blue would be appropriate or a blue black. Any other color would not be right in my opinion. Black is always appropriate.

[Charles Rice]

Yes, I did give black some thought. It just seemed - at least to me - too depressing. I'd known her for over 40 years, and she was always up-beat.

[lynxcat]

i would use black for sympathy, to convey serious intent. but honestly, apart from avoiding pastels, i really don't think the color should matter nearly as much as your words in this case. (or any other case, come to that.)

[Blade Runner]

For a death I'd use black.

For other sympathy situations I'd use black or a blue black.

 

I'd avoid unusual colors like green, fuschia, orange, red, etc.

[amberleadavis]

I send sympathy cards more often than I would like. I usually use a blue black. Not black, but not my usual bright blues either. Manhattan Blue was IMO a great choice.

[GatzBcn]

I honestly had never thought of that and my first impression would be to use black, but I think you are right, dark blue may be better.

[Charles Rice]

I send sympathy cards more often than I would like. I usually use a blue black. Not black, but not my usual bright blues either. Manhattan Blue was IMO a great choice.

Thank you, Amber. For once we agree.

[amberleadavis]

We agree more often than you might image, I just like to harass you about pink inks.

[DaveBj]

Interesting thread. Not something that I had thought much about.

[CraigR]

I suppose black or deep grey would be considered appropriate by many, however, I don't use either for letters or notes expressing sympathy. My feeling is that I am supporting the person who is dealing with the loss of a loved one and I prefer to be more upbeat than depressing. A rich darker blue ink is my favorite choice. I just sent a sympathy note to a dear friend with an encouraging message and I wrote it using Pelikan Royal Blue ink on cream colored note executive sized paper. It is also my nature to avoid ready made cards and to compose my own message.

 

Craig

[SallyLyn]

Seeing the above I'm fortunate to still have friends after sending my sympathy notes. I have used Noodler's Iraqi Indigo (Violet Vote) and Legal Lapis for my notes to family. I try to put in incidents about, traits I loved of the one gone and hope, knowing, for all of us about the future. Death, loss is sad, earth shaking, but the joy of having had that person in my life is not dark.

[CraigR]

Seeing the above I'm fortunate to still have friends after sending my sympathy notes. I have used Noodler's Iraqi Indigo (Violet Vote) and Legal Lapis for my notes to family. I try to put in incidents about, traits I loved of the one gone and hope, knowing, for all of us about the future. Death, loss is sad, earth shaking, but the joy of having had that person in my life is not dark.

Nice touch, I think, in how you express yourself in those notes. I suspect that the recipient appreciates your notes written with inks that reflect your spirit and celebration of life.

 

Craig