Page 35 - sarah-simblet_sketch-book-for-the-artist

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PEN AND INK

INKS

Four types of ink were common before the
20th century, and are still in use today: carbon (Chinese
and Indian), iron-gall, bistre, and sepia. Now we also have acrylic
ranges in many colors. Inks can be lightfast or non-lightfast,
waterproof or non-waterproof, and most can be homemade.

5. C A R B O N INK: Traditionally produced 7. I N D I A N INK: Carbon ink sold today
from oil or resin soot (Lamp Black), in liquid form. Waterproof types contain
roastedwine sediment (Yeast Black). shellac. It dries with a sheen and clogs
charred bone (Ivory Black), or charcoal, uncleaned pens. Non-waterproof Indian
suspended in a binder and stored as a inks can be reworked with a wet brush
solidblock Blocks are imported today after drying. Old stock turns solid and
bfortotlmesCahrienan.ot dated.

6. I R O N - G A L L INK: Abnormal spherical 8. SEPIA A N D BISTRE INKS: Sepia,
growths caused by parasitic wasps can be an often misused term, is the ink of a
cuttlefish or squid extracted post-mortem.
collected from some oak trees in fall. Bistre is the more humane use of soot
Crushed, boiled, reduced, and sieved, they scraped from the fireplace and ground
produce a golden dye for drawing. The into wine. Beechwood soot is best.

complexitiesof traditional iron-gall ink 9. ACRYLIC / CALLIGRAPHY INKS:
are explained on p.36. Available in black and a range of colors.
Excellent for drawing they are bright and
non-clogging, and can be mixed and
diluted to create subtler colors and
tones. They are the easiest inks to use.