Pen and Ink

I spent a bit of time this morning on the internet, looking for recipes for making ink to use with fountain or nib pens, and I found the site of Evan Lindquist, an artist/printmaker, Professor Emeritus of Art at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro.  Mr. Lindquist has some very interesting information and links on his site, including (besides information about ink) how to make drawing charcoal, and Stereoly, and some photographs taken using his Leica digital camera with a Stereoly attatchment.  Interesting.

Mr. Lindquist writes about Gallotannate ink, or “iron-gall” ink, which is made from insect leaf galls.  This is a permanent, acidic ink that should not be used in most fountain pens, or the pens may be damaged.  The ink was designed to be used with bird quills, which are naturally resistant to the acid in the ink.  Mr. Lindquist does, however, talk about his successful use of this ink with old Esterbrook fountain pens.  I think that I’ll get one or two glass pens to use dipping.

To go directly to his “How to Make Gallotannate Ink” page, click here.
To go directly to his ” Leitz Stereoly Attachment for Leica Cameras” page, click here.
To go directly to his “How to Make Drawing Charcoal” page, click here.

He also has an interesting display of a copy book of an ancestor, a handwriting tutor, who lived during the 19th century.
It features beautiful Copperplate Script.  To go directly to this page, click here.

~ by Thor on November 25, 2006.