Hi fellow Calligraphers. I am starting calligraphy again after many years. (I just have to include this bunny.)

My problem:
I am new to metalic inks. It seems that only a medium to broad nib is successful with the silver ink I am using. My son requests that I calligraphy small size lettering on the poetry I am lettering for him, and he likes the silver ink on the dark paper. Everytime I use a the smallest nib (I am not used to the names of the nibs yet) pointed, not flat at the end, it clogs up. I know that the metalic inks have larger pigment particles that seem to clog the nib.

My question:
Do any of you know of a small nib that perhaps has a quality about it that does not clog so easily?

Thanks.

I lack the knowledge, but I'm sure metallic inks will attract a lot of attention from the right members of the forum. This is most interesting. Can you mention what FP and what specific inks are you using?

One of the best resources on the network is caliken. A master beyond a doubt.

Thanks for your vote of confidence, hardyb!

Others may well be more familiar with these inks than I am, but I have had some experience over the years with a range of metallic powders from Maimeri & C. from Italy, which are produced for mixing with water and using with a dip nib. I also have some Winsor & Newton Calligraphic Gold ink. I expect that they also make Silver ink. I also have some gold powder which I acquired from picture frame restorers - these I mix with water and a little gum arabic.

These are good products but tricky to use. To make certain of proper dispersal of the metallic particles, they have to be shaken or stirred constantly - after every dip of the nib, in fact. The problem is getting the colour to flow sufficiently whilst maintaining covering power. My Maimeri powder colours are diluted with water and its just a case of finding the right balance. between density and flow. In my work, in order to achieve a sufficiently clear, crisp thick and thin distinction, I usually write with a moderately diluted gold or silver (or bronze or copper etc) and then paint in any weak areas with a 000 brush. This is very time consuming, so I usually avoid these inks if I can!
It's slightly easier with larger square-edged nibs, but any nib can produce results, with patience.

good luck!

caliken

I've Winsor & Newton gold and silver ink, and I've written sometime with flex nibs and poster nibs, always using dip pens.
To be shaken constantly, like caliken says.
Hope Winged Victory doesn't use these inks with fountain pens...

I never thought to mention that, tipstricks!........that would be a real disaster!

Daler-Rowney acrylic metallic inks are nice and work with a fine, flexible dip nib. You still have to keep making sure the particles are mixed, etc. They come in a large range of metallic colors including silver and gold. Here's a place that sells them for $3.49 per bottle: http://www.dickblick.com/zz211/11/

They cannot be used with a fountain pen... just dip pens.

Here's some silver ink on black with an Esterbrook 556 dip nib:

On carbon paper, silver ink would work but on a classic paper it would be meh.

These results are certainly a lot better than the ones I've been getting with metallic ink. The very fine hairlines are particularly impressive.

caliken

Really!?! Do you think it's the Daler Rowney ink or the nib? The ink is still somewhat fussy and either wants to blob or you don't get enough on the nib -- but I've written entire letters with it on black paper.

It's the combination of good density on the swelled strokes coupled with fine controlled hairlines that impresses me.
As you say, with metallic inks there is always the tendency to suddenly blob (particularly with a flex nib) or dry up, and I find this very difficult to predict and control.

From time to time, I get dark coloured mounts from framers with instructions to letter in either gold or silver, and it's always nerve-wracking. If there is a sudden blob of ink, the mount is destroyed and has to be re-cut. If the ink tends to dry up, this is the safer option, but involves a lot of tedious retouching.

Although you are using very good ink from a reliable manufacturer and a good nib, I do think that most of the credit for a nice, clean piece of lettering like this, is yours.

caliken

Here's an example on pergamena ivory paper (seems white due to sun to obtain the best result for ink colours) using a flexible Leonardt #1 pricipality nib and Winsor & Newton inks. It's very hard (for me) to give justice to these inks with a camera.
Having seen the great example of jbb, I would like also try Daler-Rowney inks.

Nice work, tipstricks - very smooth and even - thanks for posting