Preventing Ink Artwork From Fading

[Sinistral1]

I probably should have prefaced my rant by saying "Generally speaking" and followed it with "Of course, there are exceptions to every rule". All I really meant to get across was that writing ink used in pens was generally intended to not be exposed to light, but rather safely hidden in the pages of a closed book. And, once again, I offer my apology for any hurt or harm caused.

[Kataphract]

Ink for fountain pens is almost always dye-based, and dye-based most anything is usually but not quite always fugitive. Bottom line on fountain pen art, it's best used in a sketchbook where you keep it closed and away from UV light. If you want to display it, follow the advice above on finding out which inks are more durable. Glass cuts down on UV, special UV glass cuts down on it a lot more. Sprays and varnishes you should test before using it on finished art. Inks and watercolors intended for artists usually tell you the primary pigments and often give some indication of their lightfastness - fountain pen ink, you get a fancy name and that's about it (which should be telling you something right there - it's not really intended for fine art).

 

For art I intend to display, I tend to go to dip pens and acrylic inks. I have a much better idea of what I'm getting when I know the pigment I'm using and probably at least have an ASTM lightfast rating of some kind (Liquitex Acrylic Ink, for example). Acrylic inks pretty much don't lift after they have dried (and stain a lot even before dry), so I understand the attraction of a lot of fountain pen ink if you like your colors to remain water soluble.

[illustration student]

no need for an apology. I get what you mean about knowing the limits of ink.

 

but hey I hope they make a pearl ink for fountain pens one day too.

[Sinistral1]

Using sparkly gouache, water, a little gum arabic and a brush has worked well for me!

[amberleadavis]

no need for an apology. I get what you mean about knowing the limits of ink.

 

but hey I hope they make a pearl ink for fountain pens one day too.

 

Nathan said he was working on it.

[Sinistral1]

Yippee!! Hope springs eternal!

[illustration student]

After some research I've found out a few things. Thought it might interest other people too.

 

fading is caused by UV light (40%), visible light (25%), heat /Infra red (25%) and the other 10% is dust, chemicals and humidity etc.

 

UV rays are the most damaging but all light causes fading. Framing with UV protective glass can reduce the most damaging light but visible light is still transmitted in order to see the artwork. (interestingly most house windows also filter out most UV rays).

 

This makes me think that even with the best protective frames the artwork will last several times longer but would still fade.

 

I also now appreciate that most inks are dye based which are more vibrant, flowing, cheaper and are non waterproof. But sadly they are not lightfast and will fade faster.

However there are pigment based inks which are far more permanent but are duller, waterproof once dry and more expensive.

 

so pigments are better for work that is intended to be displayed whilst dyes are better for sketchbooks or work that will be used digitally.

 

Its a pity cause I love the Diamine inks but as they are dye based I'm looking into using pigmented inks for display artwork like acrylic ink or Dr. Ph. Martins Bombay India Ink or Winsor and Newton calligraphy ink.

 

Thanks for peoples help.

[amberleadavis]

Don't forget if you work in smaller images and then reprint your digital work, the fading will not be an issue.