I finally visited Pens Plus in Oxford today thanks to NeilB's recommendation.

A great shop with a good selection of both pens and inks. I resisted the pens (Visconti Van Gogh's but not the Crystal I regret selling everyday!) but left with four new inks:

Herbin Lie De The - I really like this one; nice lightish brown with nice shading.

Caran D'Ache Grand Canyon - umm is this the same as Lie De The does anyone know because I can hardly tell teh difference :-/

Caran D'Ache Blue Night - not entirely sure about this one; not really blue - more of a dark grey with the merest hint of blue, still quite classic though.

Lastly, Visconti Bordeaux - sadly waaay to red for me. I'm sure the cartridges I had were darker than this - I was expecting something closer to Diamine Monaco Red. This I feel will be on the Marketplace shortly.


I guess it serves me righ for impulse purchasing ink and not checking here before I went down there.

Cheers,

Hello,

if you liked Lie de Thé I suggest you try "Vert Olive" also for Herbin.

Same shading as Lie de Thé but in a vegetable green variation! Really nice!

I have to agree about Lie de The and Vert Olive; I have both and they are wonderful. I can't comment on the others, though.

Lisa