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Replicating the Old Masters Inks
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Posted
In collaboration with Fiona, I’m in the process of writing an article relating to making your own traditional style inks, those used by the likes of Rembrandt to name just one famous 17th century artist - using all natural ingredients obviously!
I know… why bother! Life’s too short and all that stuff, but it can be interesting, fun, and quite rewarding, starting off the process with foraging for the raw elements that are needed. Now we all love a bit of foraging don’t we?
Dawn will eventually be showcasing it in one of her online Studio Plus monthly articles… or something similar!
I won’t get into any details yet, but I hope that you will enjoy reading it, and having a look at a few pieces of artwork by myself and Fiona, using the inks.
Posted
The foraging is the most enjoyable part for me Al! Collecting (from fallen produce) the correct ingredients to get the right coloured inks once they’ve been through their individual process, is fun.
Then trying to replicate …..using the same plants, bark, minerals etc…..into writing and drawing inks is a challenge, especially with respect to one particular ingredient, ammonia!
For the first batch of the Lichen inks I did try the natural way to acquire ammonia, but to be honest, it wasn’t very hygienic for a start, and I had to wear a mask! 🤢
In the end opted for the ready processed version. That’s one issue you didn’t have with your ink at least Alan.
More info on the recipes, methods, pitfalls and quality in the article.
Posted
It's always worth making your own materials, and mixing up ready-made materials - I do more of the latter than the former; dimly remember using an ink made from stewed nettles (that wasn't the sum total of the process). I don't remember it being particularly successful, but I do remember the stink. However, if you don't try, you can't know - ditto with, e.g., reed and bamboo pens; or, if you're Alan Owen (and I think Alan Bickley?) bits of twig and old clothes pegs.
I have a current yen - as it were - to acquire Japanese or Chinese wolf-hair brushes (know that few of these brushes have ever actually troubled a wolf) for use with Chinese and other inks. Another rabbit-hole to explore.
Posted
That was my assumption Lew, but I don’t know…
These things tend to eventually end up in the Tips & Techniques section or similar on the forum…
I’ll ask the question, I’m confident that Dawn will use it elsewhere, she generally does, and has done with the many features I’ve written for her over the years!