Diamine Shimmer Inks 2017

[NickiStew]

 

 

Following on from last year's runaway success and Christmas 2017 approaching fast, Diamine are currently releasing a new range of Shimmer Inks which Phil Davies has very kindly sent me a batch to test. There are ten colours in this range, six silvers and four golds. The key thing about these new creations being their vibrancy. Compared to the previous two releases, these are much deeper colours and all of them have a sheen.

 

This year Jim Morrison features as the test art - created with Electric Pink and Arctic Blue (check out that stunning cherry red sheen on the Arctic Ice!)

 

 

As per last year's review, what I have done to demonstrate the versatility and visual quality of these Shimmer Inks is to pair colours and create an abstract alphabet with each combination. As you'll notice, they blend beautifully and look stunning. In my opinion, these are Diamine's best shimmers to-date. The only dilemma is... which ones are the best? See what you think.

 

In order of descent - the pairings are:
1. Firefly with Cobalt Jazz
2. Citrus Ice with Arctic Blue (check out that green blend colour and that stunning cherry red sheen on the Arctic Ice!)
3. Electric Pink with Arabian Nights
4. Spearmint Diva with Wine Divine
5. Frosted Orchid with Golden Ivy

 

Although the swatch cards were created on a Bockingford 200lb watercolour paper, the test art was created on a high quality cartridge paper which seems to bring out the best with these particular inks. As before, a word of caution. When dry, the metal dust is delicate and will rub, so do take care.

 

 

As for writing, there's plenty of sparkle for everyone. The inks are easy to load, flow easily and are all very legible. Spearmint Diva and Firefly look very good.

 

 

Here are the swatches, notice those gorgeous sheens and even a little chromatography in places. The colours are much deeper allowing the golds and silvers to stand out more. A great range of quality inks and fun too! What's not to like?

 

 

If you'd like to know more about this project, please take a look at the Mission Statement in my profile page.

If you'd like to follow me on Instagram you'll find me @quinkandbleach.

 

Apologies for the inconsistent backgrounds on the abstracts. The ink colours though are a very good match.

 

And don't forget! The Inktober 2017 challenge is underway. If you like, you can check out what I'm up to via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

[mallymal1]

[mallymal1]

Love the Frosted Orchid with Golden Ivy.

 

[Intensity]

Frosted Orchid ❤

[mallymal1]

So, I think my first batch will be Firefly, Arctic Blue, Frosted orchid, and Golden Ivy,

 

When exactly are they up for release?

[Chrissy]

So, I think my first batch will be Firefly, Arctic Blue, Frosted orchid, and Golden Ivy,

 

When exactly are they up for release?

 

That's a good question.

I think the answer is....... Soon.

[Chrissy]

Thank you so much NickiStew.

 

From your reviews we can at the very least see the definitive answer to how many have silver shimmer and how many have gold shimmer.

 

(The answer is that 4 have gold shimmer: Cobalt Blue, Firefly, Golden Ivy and Wine Divine and the remaining 6 have silver shimmer. Citrus Ice proved quite difficult to tell, but here, it is absolutely clear.)

[The Good Captain]

 

That's a good question.

I think the answer is....... Soon.

I don't know for certain either, Chrissy...!

[mallymal1]

Do you think it might be Fountain Pen Day?

[NickiStew]

Do you think it might be Fountain Pen Day?

 

Speaking with Phil on Friday I think the release will be sooner rather later. Certainly well before Xmas. AS I said in my piece, these are, in my opinion, Phil's best so far. I think that as the inks are darker and more vibrant the metals stand out far better. I'm not really a shimmer fan, but these are just well - very tempting and undeniably great fun! I'm also impressed with the shimmer sheens - that Arctic Blue in particular. These will definitely give Herbin a run for the money!

Edited October 15, 2017 by NickiStew

[NickiStew]

Thank you so much NickiStew.

 

From your reviews we can at the very least see the definitive answer to how many have silver shimmer and how many have gold shimmer.

 

(The answer is that 4 have gold shimmer: Cobalt Blue, Firefly, Golden Ivy and Wine Divine and the remaining 6 have silver shimmer. Citrus Ice proved quite difficult to tell, but here, it is absolutely clear.)

 

That Citrus Ice is a little teaser. It may be the effect of the deep yellow colour on the silver making it appear gold when blending - but on its own it's definitely silver - as the swatch cards reveal. The blend with Arctic Blue is just wonderful.

Edited October 15, 2017 by NickiStew

[bureaudirect]

Great work Nick

[NickiStew]

Great work Nick

 

Thanks for your kind words. Would you be interested in an ink and bleach workshop? N

[Cyber6]

FANTASTIC work Nick... one quick question.

 

In my experience, shimmer inks seems to smudge easy on Tomoe River paper... but they do quite well on regular paper (absorbent).

 

Are these the same?

 

 

 

 

C.

[NickiStew]

FANTASTIC work Nick... one quick question.

 

In my experience, shimmer inks seems to smudge easy on Tomoe River paper... but they do quite well on regular paper (absorbent).

 

Are these the same?

 

 

 

Hi Claudia. I used a hairdryer on Jim. The ink took a while to dry and the surface is cartridge paper so yes, if you’re in a hurry - these may smudge. Certainly, with the metal dust if you touch the art, the dust will stick your skin.

C.

 

[Cyber6]

 

FANTASTIC work Nick... one quick question.

 

In my experience, shimmer inks seems to smudge easy on Tomoe River paper... but they do quite well on regular paper (absorbent).

 

Are these the same?

 

 

 

Hi Claudia. I used a hairdryer on Jim. The ink took a while to dry and the surface is cartridge paper so yes, if you’re in a hurry - these may smudge. Certainly, with the metal dust if you touch the art, the dust will stick your skin.

 

 

 

Got it !!... Thanks,

 

 

C.

[NickiStew]

Got it !!... Thanks,

 

 

C.

 

 

Having said that... I did puddle the arctic blue onto the cartridge paper to achieve that metallic ruby sheen. From my own experience, the blended shimmer ink abstract calligraphy works best on high white cartridge paper. Both Shimmer inks and automatic pens behave to their best on this surface and no smudging provided the ink is dry. Of interest, apart from using for my swatch cards, heavy watercolour paper is not so good for automatic pens and the deep absorption of the surface deadens the Shimmer ink colour. Cartridge paper, in my opinion, is the most appropriate surface for what I do with Shimmer inks.

[bureaudirect]

 

Thanks for your kind words. Would you be interested in an ink and bleach workshop? N

 

YES!!! I'm not sure where are you based, but let's talk ))

[Cyber6]

 

YES!!! I'm not sure where are you based, but let's talk ))

 

 

LOL.. You guys have both the same flag....

[bureaudirect]

 

 

LOL.. You guys have both the same flag....

 

Classic - well Nick run a workshop in Belgium not that long ago... I'm sure we can do something similar in UK too

I could pull some strings with pen show peeps perhaps