Akkerman Hollandse Meesters #9 Steenrood Van Vermeer (Red)

January 28, 2017

During a recent trip to The Hague I bought a couple of Akkerman inks at their store. After a fresh supply was brought in from the store room (apparently these inks are popular) I could test the inks using a toothpick. I already reviewed Ruisdael’s Stormachtig Blauw; this review deals with #9 'Steenrood van Vermeer’. The Steenrood (stone red) refers to the colour of bricks, and the picture by Vermeer illustrates the warm, mellow colour of those bricks, and so does this ink.

As I said the ink catches the colour of bricks very well, a warm reddish brown (or brownish red, if you prefer). I like this colour and this ink in general. A good flow, nice and wet. Drying times on Leuchtturm and a fairly wet Lamy M are between 10 and 15 seconds, but in real life it feels faster. What’s even better is the shading this ink shows. (again apologies for my handwriting)

http://i.imgur.com/6HFXdfEm.jpg

On all combination of nibs and paper I’ve observed shading, Shading great, sheen none. On Leuchtturm paper

http://i.imgur.com/6EFNVA1m.jpg

The ink takes a little time to dry (feels less than it actually does), after that it sits pretty solidly on the paper. This ink is not waterproof. A couple of drops of water sitting for 1 min, and next to that the results after keeping the paper under a running tap. Most of the ink is washed away, leaving just a vague impression of the ink

http://i.imgur.com/ydRg9pbt.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/MFZ2qxEt.jpg

I like this ink, its mellow colour, shading, and nice behaviour, but it will not be my main ink (for that I have a pool of blue inks).

To finish, this link shows you the painting that inspired this colour (also on display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam)

https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/rijksstudio/artists/johannes-vermeer/objects#/SK-A-2860,2

January 29, 2017

Thanks for a nice review of a wonderful color. I have a particular interest in Vermeer, because he included my instrument, the harpsichord (or virginal) in several of his paintings.

January 29, 2017

The colour isn't for me, but the review is excellent, thanks

January 29, 2017

I have this ink, have used it, like it, & am looking forward to using it in the future. Thank you for the review.

January 30, 2017

Thanks for the review.

Would you consider this more of brown or a red? Any clue how it would compare to something like Noodler's Black Swan in English Roses (an ink I didn't really like, and isn't particularly well named...)?

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

January 30, 2017

Lovely review. I lived in Weesp for a year working as an expat, and I absolutely loved the Netherlands. Would love to see a Delft blue ink.

January 31, 2017

To inkstainedruth: would probably say it leans more to a brown, think terracotta. I cannot compare directly to the Noodler's ink (shipping from USA to Europe is pretty expensive). From what I've seen in other reviews, the Noodler's show even more in colour variation. It seems more a combination of two differently coloured inks than a single shading ink, for the Akkerman it's 'just shading'

January 31, 2017

To inkstainedruth: would probably say it leans more to a brown, think terracotta. I cannot compare directly to the Noodler's ink (shipping from USA to Europe is pretty expensive). From what I've seen in other reviews, the Noodler's show even more in colour variation. It seems more a combination of two differently coloured inks than a single shading ink, for the Akkerman it's 'just shading'

Thanks. I like Diamine Terra Cotta, so that's a good reference point for me.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

February 1, 2017

Excellent review of a beautiful ink I was recently gifted by a very generous fellow FPN member...and thanks for sharing the picture that inspired this ink. I find the ink very well behaved and a joy to write with. I'm a sucker for dark red and red brown inks and this is one of my favorites in that category. Recommend!

Mary

May 23, 2019

I have been looking for a decent "Brick" color for years, an orange/red/brown that can be used as a writing ink, not just a highlighter. This one looks very tempting. I absolutely recognize those red floor tiles!

I see you compared it to Diamine Ancient Copper, which, alongside Antietam (too fruity!) and Kobe #39 (too red?) is as close as I have come so far to what I am looking for. Any further notes on how those comparisons went?
Below is what I would be comparing it too (The Kanji is Oxblood):

May 23, 2019

This has turned into my favorite ink color and I have tried several in the same family range. It does look similar to Alt. and Kobe #39 in your picture, but perhaps a tad more red. What I like is that it is serious enough but more interesting than standard colors, even brown. What is the Alt. ink above?

May 23, 2019

This has turned into my favorite ink color and I have tried several in the same family range. It does look similar to Alt. and Kobe #39 in your picture, but perhaps a tad more red. What I like is that it is serious enough but more interesting than standard colors, even brown. What is the Alt. ink above?

Sorry, Oregano! Alt. Cu is my gnomic shorthand for Diamine Ancient Copper. The first time I tried it I was put off by the smearing, but I am coming to realize that that seems to be a common feature accross this color range.

I was asking for Brick Red suggestions on the general Red thread here, which has given me several new paths to explore, including this one!