Ultramarine (Ultramarin) - De Atramentis

[visvamitra]

De Atramentis is german manufacturer of calligraphy and writing ink. The inks are hand made (the entire production process is done manually in their manufacturing center) by i's founder - Dr. Franz-Josef Jensen. I believe he uses high quality dyes from well established European companies like BASF and Bayer.

De Atramentis offers a variety of "traditional" fountain pen inks and a broad selection of special and scented inks. I believe they should get more attention as the quality od these fluids is mostly good and some colors are simply stunning.

Ultramarin however is not only ugly but also it behaves bad in fountain pens. It tends to dry out really fast and it doesn't help in making writing enjoyable. It's first DA ink I consider as bad quality ink.

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Oxford Recycled 90g - Kaweco Sport Classic, B

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/3750/IJM0hw.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/3497/Up0Fo3.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img633/9480/MjqZb6.jpg

Edited May 26, 2015 by visvamitra

[jasonchickerson]

Sounds bad. Looks bad. Is it just me or do these (seemingly) single dye inks turn everyone off?

[inkstainedruth]

Sounds bad. Looks bad. Is it just me or do these (seemingly) single dye inks turn everyone off?

I've liked most of the De Atramentis inks I've tried. Based on the written exemplars, I'd consider giving this one a try, but it's not my most favorite shade of blue.

And it's badly named -- I'd have expected "ultramarine" to be a LOT bluer (as in, the color of lapis lazuli), given that the paint color of that name was used in Medieval and Renaissance paintings for the color of the Virgin Mary's clothes a lot: the paint was expensive since I think it was made of ground up lapis, so it was used for really special places in paintings -- like the Virgin Mary's clothes....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[PS104]

Herbin has always been a low-key (color-wise) ink

I think our eyeballs have been compromised with all the super-saturated inks that are so pervasive now

[erpe]

Actually, I do like the color, from the screen it looks like a brighter blueblack and the quick drying would make it a good candidate for the infamous Moleskine papers. There's a market for almost everything. I might give it a shot.

[mmg122]

Bland. Very bland.

[wastelanded]

This isn't even close to ultramarine in colour. Maybe a bad bottle?

[perfaddict]

This isn't even close to ultramarine in colour. Maybe a bad bottle?

 

Misamed, more like. The colour in the review is quite accurately reproduced.

 

I concur with the view that the prevalence of saturated inks nowadays detracts some of us from the merits of inks like the Herbin.

[delano]

I concur with the view that the prevalence of saturated inks nowadays detracts some of us from the merits of inks like the Herbin.

 

 

Here Here!

 

I find myself strangely attracted to the super-saturated inks, but I write more than draw.

[amberleadavis]

I'm really surprised, that color and performance are awful. De At inks are usually wonderful inks.

[amberleadavis]

 

 

 

 

I find myself strangely attracted to the super-saturated inks, but I write more than draw.

 

 

I love super saturated retina searing inks.

[Frank C]

 

 

I love super saturated retina searing inks.

 

We know!

[amberleadavis]

 

We know!

[Nibson]

Good review. Whilst I can't argue with any of your observations which are thoroughly reasonable, there is just something about the coloring of this ink that speaks to me. Now and again, I like to take a mad punt on an ink which on the face of it, doesn't look too promising. I might on that basis, give this one a try.

[Shinyblue]

I bought this ink without having checked this review and I totally agree, it's an awful ink. VERY dry even in wet writers, the colour is boring. 45 ml of almost useless ink I now use it for dip testing so it will last forever.

Has put me off other De Atramentis inks.