Shading

[Charles Skinner]

I am ashamed to have to admit this ----- after using fountain pens and inks since Adam and Eve were teenagers! ------ What exactly is "shading?" I believe it might be the property of some inks that leave a "darker," or "wetter" line when forming some letters. Is that right? I have a small bottle of Papier Plume Caramel that I like very much, and the "line" it puts down is darker in places. For example, if I write a "P," the lower of part of the letter looks a little darker. Is this what is meant by "shading? ---- Thanks, C. S.

[Ergative]

Yup, that's exactly it. Ink tends to pool a bit at the ends of strokes, and when it looks darker because of the pooling, you have different shades of ink in one letter. That's shading. Not all inks do it; the very saturated ones don't vary as much as a function of ink pooling, and they give a more constant color.

[ParkerDuofold]

Yes. J. Herbin inks are great for shading... as are most Diamine and some Noodlers inks, (the latter being a total mystery considering their heavy dye load).

 

- Anthony

[Tas]

Don't be ashamed. You nailed it !

[ac12]

Besides the ink, the pen has an effect on shading as well.

I have Sheaffer turquoise, which is a boring mono-tone ink, or so I thought. But, in my Esterbrook, the ink will shade quite well. That totally surprised me.

[amberleadavis]

Charles, let me refer you to this thread:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/282904-inky-t-o-d-show-us-your-shady-inks/

 

Here is the first post from LGSoltek:

 

Since there's a thread for sheen, I think we can have a thread of showing shading (or the lack of shading) as well!

 

http://s1.homezz.com/201501/5915/49290_o.jpg

 

http://s2.homezz.com/201501/5915/49289_o.jpg

 

http://s1.homezz.com/201501/5915/49288_o.jpg

 

http://s1.homezz.com/201501/5915/49287_o.jpg

 

http://s1.homezz.com/201501/5915/49286_o.jpg

[amberleadavis]

Here is my less exciting contribution:

 

 

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Inklings/2013-Ink_747c.jpg

[Charles Skinner]

Thanks for all of the information about "shading." Which nibs are best for producing the shading? I have the inks you mentioned as good at shading, but the only "pen-ink" combination I have that produces shading is my Jinhao 159 with Papier Plume Caramel. The Jinhao has a medium nib, I assume. Someone said the Herbin and Diamine inks are good for shading, but I have not noticed that with my writing. Thanks for information. C. S. (excuse mistakes, if any)

[ParkerDuofold]

Thanks for all of the information about "shading." Which nibs are best for producing the shading? I have the inks you mentioned as good at shading, but the only "pen-ink" combination I have that produces shading is my Jinhao 159 with Papier Plume Caramel. The Jinhao has a medium nib, I assume. Someone said the Herbin and Diamine inks are good for shading, but I have not noticed that with my writing. Thanks for information. C. S. (excuse mistakes, if any)

Hi Charles,

 

In my limited experience, moderately wet broad and stub nibs yield the best shading. The finer nibs... not so much.

 

- Anthony

[Noihvo]

[domzals1]

Broader / stub nibs coupled with TR paper produces the best shading for me.

[chromantic]

I find it's wetness more than size; I use mainly fines and usually get decent shading with them. Shading is more likely on smoother paper, but some inks shade well on copy, too (Skrip Turquoise, for example). Part of the fun comes from experimenting.

[cattar]

I find it's wetness more than size; I use mainly fines and usually get decent shading with them. Shading is more likely on smoother paper, but some inks shade well on copy...

+1

I like shading. But I've found I like a drier pen and quick drying time more. I use a dip pen when I want shading.

[amberleadavis]

Don't forget Inky TODs (Topics O'Day).

 

Shades and Sheen

Inky T O D - Show Us Your Shady Inks!
http://www.fountainp...our-shady-inks/
Inks With A "sheen"
http://www.fountainp...s-with-a-sheen/