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Since learning about carbon inks I have found a new interest in sketching with a combination of black ink and colored washes. I was seeking a way to produce both a crisp, dark line and a soft, shaded wash from a single ink, so I mixed Platinum Carbon waterproof black ink with Sheaffer Skrip water-soluble brown, yellow, and blue inks. The result is a mix that makes a surprisingly firm black line while releasing color for a nicely tinted wash. This is my latest experiment for using it in fountain pens. Carbon Ink is a pigmented ink so pens need to be cleaned frequently. You may want to be cautious and use it with dip pens or only in less expensive fountain pens. Proportions for mixing are on my web site. I would love to hear from others who are mixing waterproof and water-soluble inks. It is an intriguing way to work, particularly when you are drawing lines on wet paper and allowing the tints to flow out into the wet area while the waterproof lines remain stable. 9"w x 6"h, Strathmore 500 Vellum Bristol. Ink mix, Waterman #7 vintage pen. Best wishes, Pat

Very nice effect, I like it! I enjoyed reading your other post about Platinum carbon black, and your website is fun to visit too.

I'm wondering if you've had the chance to compare Platinum carbon black with Noodler's Bulletproof Black for this particular purpose? So far I've found that Noodler's BB does release a little bit of muddiness, sometimes, when washed over with watercolor, but not as much as the Pelikan fount india you compared it to in the other thread. I'm wondering if Platinum has enough advantage over the Noodler's to be worth buying, because otherwise I do like Noodler's BB quite a bit.

Have you tried playing with the Noodler's almost bullet-proof inks at all? These also release a watersoluble component and leave the black line behind. But I suppose it is more fun to experiment with your own mixes

Thanks for sharing your experiments and sketches!

It's beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

I really like it.

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

Thank you all very much for your kind comments. Pens, inks, and sketching are such a wonderful pursuit. Linesally asked about the difference between Platinum Carbon and Noodler's Bulletproof Black. I use and have test pages for both and agree, just as Limesally describes it, that Noodler's BB works great. I have mixed BB with Noodler's Eternal colors of Fox Red, Luxury Blue, and Hunter's Green in order to get new shades, but have not mixed any Noodler's waterproof with water-soluble inks from Noodler's or other manufacturers. Hope someone will try it and let us know whether the black remains waterproof when mixed. Best wishes, Pat

Great sketch---I love it!