Shading And Other Ink Subleties

February 6, 2013

Folks that are having problems making a shading ink shade more than likely have the wrong paper.

I only scribble on 90g or better paper some to much of the 80g paper doesn't do well.

Ink Jet paper will not do well, in it is made to absorb ink very fast.

One of the first inks I bought was Lamy Turquoise..it was a nice color but a bit blaaaa.

I saw in Ink Reviews the then two reviews and both shaded. Both were using 90g paper.

Taking down a small booklet of Oxford Optic 90g...a very nice inexpensive paper, it shaded. :clap1:

When you look at Sandy's ink reviews she shows some 4 or more papers, with different nib widths.

All that makes a big difference to the tone and how the ink shades. (if it does.)

If you read my signature...paper is at least as important as ink. Ink on poor paper is limited. Ink on good to better papers; shows what it can do with this, that or other nibs and flexes.

I usually test an ink with a 8 pen mix of width and

flex in the nibs....and I try to use 3-4 papers.

If you use this system...a warning only buy one ink. :bonk: Or you will have 22 pens inked.

Edited February 6, 2013 by Bo Bo Olson

February 6, 2013

Hi,

Please also see this fabulous use of various FP inks for drawing: R&K Scabiosa

Bye,
S1

Thank you all for the information and more ink suggestions. S1, thank you, especially, for the examples of shading with ESSRI and Caran d'Ache Grand Canyon! These are the kinds of shadings/washes I had in mind. I've tried several inks with mixed results. For example, Diamine Grey is a lovely drawing (and writing) ink, but I find the wash to be too subtle for the way I want to use it. On the other hand, I've gotten beautiful washes from Diamine Chocolate Brown and Diamine Twilight that exhibit multiple hues and values. Thank you also for the link to Pictogramax's artwork -- very inspiring! The type of drawings I aspire to (though I'm a long way off!).

- Tina

Beautiful sketchwork! Tried to leave comments but my keyboard froze. Or something. @_@

February 11, 2013

I have grown fond of the shading tones of Noodler's Golden Brown.

I think it is best shown in my flex nibbed Pelikan 400NN Tortoise. Different pressures on strokes deposit ink in different quantities and accentuate the difference.

February 11, 2013

Folks that are having problems making a shading ink shade more than likely have the wrong paper.

I only scribble on 90g or better paper some to much of the 80g paper doesn't do well.
Ink Jet paper will not do well, in it is made to absorb ink very fast.

One of the first inks I bought was Lamy Turquoise..it was a nice color but a bit blaaaa.
I saw in Ink Reviews the then two reviews and both shaded. Both were using 90g paper.

Taking down a small booklet of Oxford Optic 90g...a very nice inexpensive paper, it shaded. :clap1:

When you look at Sandy's ink reviews she shows some 4 or more papers, with different nib widths.
All that makes a big difference to the tone and how the ink shades. (if it does.)

If you read my signature...paper is at least as important as ink. Ink on poor paper is limited. Ink on good to better papers; shows what it can do with this, that or other nibs and flexes.

I usually test an ink with a 8 pen mix of width and
flex in the nibs....and I try to use 3-4 papers.
If you use this system...a warning only buy one ink. :bonk: Or you will have 22 pens inked.

That's why I now hate the Moleskine! All my inks now shade beautifully on the Quo Vadis Habana notebooks, with 85g ivory paper from Clairefontaine. I've seen the 90g paper and have tried writing on it with my fountain pens, and I don't see much difference on the paper quality or thickness. The ruling is different, though.

February 11, 2013

What is the equivalent of 90g paper in the US? Is it 24 lb paper or 60 lb paper (I mean like laser printer or copy paper, not rhodia or clairefontaine or anything like that)?

February 11, 2013

What is the equivalent of 90g paper in the US? Is it 24 lb paper or 60 lb paper (I mean like laser printer or copy paper, not rhodia or clairefontaine or anything like that)?

Hi,

The methods of measuring paper by grammage (gsm) and by basis weight (pounds) are not compatible, so we are without accurate means of conversion.

This wee Wiki entry offers a succinct explanation: Paper Density.

Bye,

S1

Edited February 11, 2013 by Sandy1

February 11, 2013

@ I'm going to round off a tad.

75 g = 20 lb

90 g =24 lb

100g = 27 lb

105 g = 28 lb

110 g = 29 lb

120g =32 lb

I have found some nice 150-160g 55-60 lb to be nice to scribble on.

I can afford an extra stamp.

Basically nice to scribble on.

There are differences between the line on 100% cotton being to my limited experience a bit 'wooly', compared to 25% cotton.

There is the sizing and a few other things that make a big difference.

I do consider my self to be sort of noobie with paper. There is so much to learn.

My best paper???? some cheap paper pad from the late '70s...back when I was using a ball point.

It delivers a remarkably clear line. I found 12 sheets, I now have only seven. They are saved to the next major ink testing...where I write around tears.

Sigh.... to have wasted that paper on ball point pens...back in the when.

I have better papers, but....

The finest paper I have to write on...is no where near perfect. I'll have to get that company's 120-150g paper. The 100G is so sinfully good to write on it should be forbidden on Sunday, like the Ice Cream Soda once was.

I need the sensual writing experience of the latter, combined with the clear sharp line of the first.

:roflmho: As soon as I stop buying so many inks. :blink:

Edited February 11, 2013 by Bo Bo Olson