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Dipping pens - getting blocked up
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I use dipping pens - draftmans pen nibs (unknown make) that have a fine point as I do detailed work - to do pen and ink work. I use Winsor and Newton black ink. I use Winsor & Newton smooth surface cartridge paper heavy weight (100lbs/220gsm) - it is really smooth and heavy weight and nearly pure white in colour.
I find I have 2 problems:
1. After some use the ink stops flowing - the bottle has been used a fair amount and has anyone tried adding a little water to make it flow without reducing colour of ink? Or any other ideas that don't reduce colour of ink?
2. The nib keeps on picking up bits of paper.
I keep on cleaning the nib (sometimes every 5 minutes) but this is using up more ink!
Does any one recommend any particular papers or fine nibs or inks for detailed & fine pen and ink work? I prefer to use dipping pens then fibre tip pens.
Also, my hand gets very sore after a while, despite trying to relax and having regular breaks - any suggestions on how to stop my handing freezing up!?