Copperplate with metallic inks

[jbb]

  caliken said:

As I was the one who started this topic, I felt duty-bound to be the one to (possibly) ruin a fountain pen!

I used an old Osmiroid fitted with a convertor.

The first, immediate problem is getting the consistency right. Too thick and it doesn't flow, too watery and it blobs onto the paper - so no surprises there.

After a few messy attempts, I managed to write a few words with it before it dried up on me. So the short answer is no, possibly not a good idea with a fountain pen. However, it appears to be totally non-waterproof even when dry, so it shouldn't do any damage. Having said that, I wouldn't advocate testing it with a fountain pen of any value!

 

I think I'll forego clogging a fountain pen BUT I have been using my dip pens set up with fp feeds which is giving me more per dip and has not (yet) clogged the feed.

 

Can I keep adding new water to the Maimeri powder as the water dries up in my mixture? The powder seems to float on the surface. Is the powder only on the surface or is it mixing throughout? I assume it does not dissolve.

 

This metallic powder is just beautiful and WAY better than the acrylic metallics I was using. Thanks for telling us about it Caliken.

[SquelchB]

That's very nice. But I think the color mixing looks a little funny.

[caliken]

  SquelchB said:

That's very nice. But I think the color mixing looks a little funny.

I wanted to give an indication of the range of metallic colours available, but I'm afraid that my photgraphy wasn't very good.

 

 

 

[caliken]

  jbb said:

Can I keep adding new water to the Maimeri powder as the water dries up in my mixture? The powder seems to float on the surface. Is the powder only on the surface or is it mixing throughout? I assume it does not dissolve.

 

This metallic powder is just beautiful and WAY better than the acrylic metallics I was using. Thanks for telling us about it Caliken.

I've found that, when dry, the colour on a palette can be "revived" with a little water. As the metal particles don't dissolve, they are left as the water evaporates. I find that it is best to constantly stir the"ink" otherwise the mix becomes too watery as the particles sink. A lot of this is trial and error, and you'll soon get the feeling for the corect thickness of the "ink". A little Gum Arabic can be added, if you want to improve adhesion.

 

Doug : If you want to make the colour more stable (resistant to rubbing) and waterproof, try adding a couple of drops of Rotring Artistcolour Universal Medium. This also works well with Gouache paint rendering it waterproof when dry. With this method, it is necessary to wash the nibs frequently, as you would with any waterproof product.

 

caliken

[jbb]

The Maimeri metallic powders are somewhat light on white paper -- here's a scanned example. They look better, more metallic, in person than in this picture. They can be mixed into other inks if you want them to show up more.

Edited June 18, 2008 by jbb

[caliken]

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/Metallics1906081.jpg

I decided to have another go at photographing Maimeri metallic ink. As jbb said, they tend to look a bit light when photographed normally. What I've done here is to write on a white background, then photo to show the metallics to best advantage - allowing the background to appear dark. Also, I deliberately wrote on thin paper, whch creates an uneven surface. Again, this shows the reflective ink well.

 

Thanks for your continued interest jbb - nice scroll work on your sample BTW

 

caliken

Edited June 19, 2008 by caliken

[Renzhe]

Thanks for the links. It's certainly easier than writing in glue!

[SquelchB]

  caliken said:

I decided to have another go at photographing Maimeri metallic ink. As jbb said, they tend to look a bit light when photographed normally. What I've done here is to write on a white background, then photo to show the metallics to best advantage - allowing the background to appear dark. Also, I deliberately wrote on thin paper, whch creates an uneven surface. Again, this shows the reflective ink well.

 

Thanks for your continued interest jbb - nice scroll work on your sample BTW

 

caliken

Okaaay, this is wonderful!

[Eltea]

simply beautiful and so lovely...

[jbb]

Your work is always inspirational caliken. (I'll keep practicing.)

[HDoug]

  caliken said:

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/Metallics1906081.jpg

I decided to have another go at photographing Maimeri metallic ink...

 

I know we shouldn't quote the images in replies, but I couldn't help myself. The "leafy" capitals just knock me out! I notice that the colors of the majuscules and miniscules alternate between words. In other words the majuscule "M" in Metallic is the same color as the minuscules in "Script" and the other way around. And the color of the "foliage" of each majuscule alternates too. I'm probably not being very clear, but that was fun for me to discover.

 

And those leafy majuscules -- I don't recall seeing them anywhere. Are they caliken inventions? For some reason, they bring out a smile and make me smile.

 

Thanks caliken!

 

Doug

 

 

 

[caliken]

  HDoug said:

And those leafy majuscules -- I don't recall seeing them anywhere. Are they caliken inventions? For some reason, they bring out a smile and make me smile.

 

Like most of my work, the leafy capitals are not original - they're a loose interpretation of capitals from a typeface called "Aterna Caps" which I dug out of my files.

 

I've added a second version in 2 parts which shows the great differences when the reflective surfaces are photographed from different angles and with different lighting.

 

Thanks again for your interest, Doug.

 

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/Metallics2.jpg

Edited June 20, 2008 by caliken

[jbb]

I compared LuminArte Metallic Mica powder to the Maimeri Powder since they are more readily available for me (at my local craft store) and it seems to be about the same to write with. It was a bit cheaper too. Overall the metallic powders take getting used to working with (I'm still getting the hang of it) but they're soooooo pretty. I've been using them just with water and mixing them in some ink too.

 

UPDATE!!: The LuminArte powder rubbed off a day later whereas the Maimeri was totally afixed to the paper! If I add gum arabic would that solve the problem?

Edited June 30, 2008 by jbb

[caliken]

I recently mentioned this product on another thread, and as there has been quite a lot of interest, I'm "bumping" this topic which first appeared in 2008.

 

As this site has grown very considerably in the past five years or so, it is entirely possible that this topic would only be found by accident. As there are many new members since its original posting and as the subject is of some technical value of a specific nature, I felt justified in re-posting it. To go over the same ground in the same detail as before in a new post, would be pointless and tedious.

 

Ken

Edited March 31, 2013 by caliken

[jbb]

Wow, this is an old post that has been revised. I've been using a mixture of fine metallic powder, gum Arabic and water since 2008. As long as you add enough gum Arabic it works very well.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6838275439_b31d4d911f_o.jpg

Edited March 31, 2013 by jbb

[caliken]

  On 3/31/2013 at 12:57 PM, jbb said:

Wow, this is an old post that has been revised. I've been using a mixture of fine metallic powder, gum Arabic and water since 2008. As long as you add enough gum Arabic it works very well.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6838275439_b31d4d911f_o.jpg

jbb -

 

Great to see that you've developed the technique with success!

 

Ken

[MusinkMan]

Dannngggg...I want to try that! I need to make a couple more purchases. I did purchase some gum arabic last weekend...that stuff isn't cheap. LOL! But I have a feeling that a small bottle will last a long time. Now I need to make some purchases for some of this metalic powder.

 

Will someone help me explain to my wife that these things are a "need" and not a "want"? She doesn't understand the difference. I explained to her that new calligraphy items are "every bit as essential" as 35+ pairs of shoes and 18+ purses. She did not agree.

[jbb]

  On 3/31/2013 at 9:29 PM, MusinkMan said:

Dannngggg...I want to try that! I need to make a couple more purchases. I did purchase some gum arabic last weekend...that stuff isn't cheap. LOL! But I have a feeling that a small bottle will last a long time. Now I need to make some purchases for some of this metalic powder.

 

Will someone help me explain to my wife that these things are a "need" and not a "want"? She doesn't understand the difference. I explained to her that new calligraphy items are "every bit as essential" as 35+ pairs of shoes and 18+ purses. She did not agree.

 

 

I use powdered gum Arabic which is cheap. http://www.ebay.com/itm/200454802295?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_5962wt_799 ...and a jar of fine metallic powder will cost $5.00 give or take. http://www.dickblick.com/products/jacquard-pearl-ex-pigments/ Your local craft store might carry it. You want to mix it up in a shallow dish like a small ashtray or salt cellar.

 

I like to use the "it's cheaper than therapy" excuse when buying pens, inks & paper.