One day I noticed I'd like to organize my ink collection outside of my head: Make some writing samples for each color, preferably with different plens, plus a few notes how the ink performed in the pen and maybe a swab. Sorted by color so it would be easy to find a specific shade if I ever looked for one. I started out immediately using a softcover notebook.
Then I realized a notebook wouldn't be the best choice and something more modular would probably be better - so I chose index cards. Their heavier cardstock would also handle the swabs better.
I've made about 30 sample cards so far, always with the inks I'm using at the moment, and already found ink twins! Diamine Twilight and Rohrer & Klingner Verdigris look somewhat different while the ink is still wet but when dried they're hardly discernible at all. They're a nice dusky blue-green color.
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| Swabs: Diamine Twilight (top) and Rohrer & Klingner Verdigris (bottom) |
Then I wrote a few lines of text, changing pens every few words. If it weren't for the fact that one pen has an italic nib and the other one a round medium I couldn't make out any difference at all.
Could you?
In English it reads:
"Who can find the words written with Twilight? (Hint: It's extremely helpful not to look for color difference alone!)"
Both inks behave and flow quite well but the Rohrer & Klingner is the better deal for € 3,95/50 ml.
Do you know of any more ink twins?
Wow those are almost identical. I can't tell them apart. I guess with so many ink shades there are bound to be a few that match.
ReplyDeleteGood idea about making Index cards. I saw somebody use blank business cards with a swab and the name of the ink on, and then stored in a business card holder file. That is probably good if you've got loads and loads of inks since they're small. You could even make up a Rainbow Rolladex :)
Yes, I guess so! These are the first twins I've seen yet though. There usually is a difference, subtle but clearly visible when held next to each other.
DeleteA few guys from the German pen forum penexchange made a project out of sampling inks on index cards, then collecting them for somebody to take photos and upload those into their wiki. That's where I got the idea, but I wanted to have some more space on my card to show how the ink looks like in different pens, note on how it performs etc. so my cards are A6 size. I store them in a box.
Very surprising find! I always thought they were two different colors, based on seeing individual scans of each ink via other people's reviews. But putting them side-by-side reveals a different story altogether. Twilight is my favorite color in the Diamine line. I suppose one day I should get a sample of Verdigris (which, for some reason, has never looked that appealing in scans) and see if I get the same results as you. :)
ReplyDelete@thenumberthirteen. I have an artist friend who uses her time at exhibitions and craft/art fairs creating her own business cards. Her work includes calligraphy and if you make a purchase you will be given a business card with a red swatch of colour and her details, if you make an enquiry you get a green one. Each a work of calligraphic art.
ReplyDeletecan you tell me what fp's you are using? i ask because R&K is pigmented, which i understand clogs fp's.
ReplyDeleteFor that post I used an Omas Paragon and a Montegrappa Extra. Rohrer & Klingner has several lines of ink, their "Antiktusche" is pigmented but the "Schreibtinte" line is made specifically for fountain pens and I've never had any issues with it, in fact it flows very well, even the ones with iron gall (Salix & Scabiosa).
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