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Help Getting Started Making Own Ink (John Muir Style)

holylingering

By holylingering
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holylingering New

holylingering

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Hi folks,

I'm new to the site, so if this is a redundant question, I'm happy to be directed to a post that already answers this question (I did a quick search but didn't find an answer yet).

 

I know that John Muir used to make his own ink from the tannins of cones from the giants. I have a couple of cones a park granger gave me, and I have quite a bit of tannin from them - enough I think to make a sample. However, I've no idea where to start (what kind of chemicals elements do I need to mix with the tannin other than just water (iron, etc.)? What kind of mixing process would be good? I am sure there must be countless variables and responses about this, and I'm willing to do some experimenting, but some guidance in which direction to start may be good.

 

And... I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so if there are any ink mixing aficionados nearby who are interested in getting together to work on this project, I'd be happy to share the product!

 

peace,

Michael

 

 

 

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OCArt Donor Pen

OCArt

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Search here and on the web for recipes for Iron gall ink.

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Intellidepth Extremely Rare

Intellidepth

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Suggest also searching for the word 'ferrotannic'.

Noodler's Konrad Acrylics (normal+Da Luz custom flex) ~ Lamy AL-Stars/Vista F/M/1.1 ~ Handmade Barry Roberts Dayacom M ~ Waterman 32 1/2, F semi-flex nib ~ Conklin crescent, EF super-flex ~ Aikin Lambert dip pen EEF super-flex ~ Aikin Lambert dip pen semi-flex M ~ Jinhao X450s ~ Pilot Custom Heritage 912 Posting Nib ~ Sailor 1911 Profit 21k Rhodium F. Favourite inks: Iroshizuku blends, Noodler's CMYK blends.

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

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Hey, welcome aboard!

 

Also, reach out to some of our known ink mixers who have created their own inks.

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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onotopen Near Mint

onotopen

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Kitchen Science

 

Ferric Tannate was the major ingredient of many black inks. In Ben Selinger's book 'Chemistry in the Market Place' 4th edition, reprinted 1991, he describes how to make it, paraphrased below :-

 

Tannic Acid Solution: Add boiling water to 1 tea bag in a cup. (A strong cup of tea)

 

Ferric Iron Solution: Boil small quantity (about 100mL) of white vinegar in saucepan to which has been added steel wool (not Stainless Steel, and not impregnated with soap) Simmer for 5-10mins.

Strain through filter funnel containing loosely fitting plug of cotton wool.

When solution is cooled to room temperature (important), with care, add 1mL of Hydrogen Peroxide.

The colour of the solution should be dark brownish-red indicating presence of iron

 

Ferric Tannate; Add say 10mL of Tannic Acid solution to 10mL of your Ferric Iron solution

 

The solution should turn black as a result of the Ferric Tannate being produced

 

Don't spill the peroxide, it's a strong oxidising agent and also poisonous if swallowed; and be careful to avoid contact of Ferric Tannate to clothing. It will stain !

 

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2H(+) + Fe ---> Fe(2+) + H2

2H(+) + 2Fe(2+) +H2O2 ----> 2Fe(3+) + 2H2O

Fe(3+) + Tannic Acid ---> Ferric Tannate

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

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One of my friends just sent this:

 

http://www.johnnealbooks.com/prod_detail_list/9/3

 

http://www.johnnealbooks.com/images/uploads/1710_1348_large.jpg

 

S450. Walnut Ink Crystals JAR
S450. Walnut Crystals Jar

This item contains two 1 ounce jars, each with the appropiate amount of crystals. Simply fill it with warm water and mix. You have read- made walnut ink without the hassle of measuring! You can use the extra crystals from the second jar to make the ink darker.
Non-waterproof.




Your Price http://www.johnnealbooks.com/images/plus.gif http://www.johnnealbooks.com/images/minus.gif

 

 

 

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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