Four Brown Inks On Four Types Of Paper

[desertsquid]

This is a comparative review of four brown inks that I was recently evaluating, using four different papers that I was also comparing. The inks are:

 

Diamine Chocolate Brown

Diamine Raw Sienna

Diamine Dark Brown

J. Herbin Café des Iles

 

And the papers are:

 

Clairefontaine Triomphe (white, which is the only available colour)

G. Lalo Vergé de France: white

G. Lalo Vergé de France: ivory

G. Lalo Vergé de France: champagne

 

I ordered samples of the three G. Lalo papers from Brian Goulet at Goulet Pens. I had been intrigued by this paper after watching Brian's review of it on his Ink Nouveau blog. Brian sells inexpensive sample packs of each, including several sheets of paper and some envelopes. It was a great way to try out different colours without having to place an order for an entire writing pad of each. I also ordered the Clairefontaine paper from Brian, as well the J.Herbin ink (Brian also sells small ink samplers in tiny plastic containers that are perfect for filling a pen from). The Diamine Dark Brown came with a set of free cartridges that Diamine sent me when I ordered some other inks. I am not associated with Diamine, nor with Brian, in any way other than as a customer.

 

Below are four scans, one of each paper, and each with writing samples of all four inks. The Triomphe is incredibly smooth paper. The Vergé de France has a slight texture to it.

 

First, here is the Clairefontaine Triomphe:

 

 

Here is the white G. Lalo Vergé de France -- as you can see, it's an off-white:

 

 

For the ivory G. Lalo Vergé de France, please see my comment four posts down. I originally posted the wrong scan in this initial message and had to post the correct one in the comment.

 

Here is the champagne G. Lalo Vergé de France:

 

 

My conclusion. I would not be without the wonderfully smooth, pure white Vergé de France for writing in colours other than brown. It looks great with any colour. However, for brown ink, I prefer the muted tones of the Vergé de France. I'm currently favouring Ivory, but I was looking at a Champagne envelope this morning that I had addressed using Café des Iles ink. I am now considering buying a full pad of Champagne Vergé de France, plus envelopes (I already have a full pad + envelopes of the Ivory). Brian, you might be hearing from me again soon!

Edited May 31, 2010 by desertsquid

[dnb]

Thanks for the review. You make me wanna go back and try my Omas Sepia. Think I will...

[desertsquid]

I've also reviewed these inks in separate reviews:

J.Herbin Café des Iles

Diamine Dark Brown

Diamine Raw Sienna

Diamine Chocolate Brown

[Bill]

Thank you for the review. The impact of nib size and shape, flow, and especially the paper is often overlooked in how the finished writing is rendered.

 

Bill

[desertsquid]

Here is the real Vergé de France Ivory scan -- sorry for the confusion in the original post.

 

[GouletPens]

A wonderful review!! I always enjoy seeing reviews of similar colors. And thank you for the plug! I'm glad you enjoyed the paper and ink samples....it sounds like you got full use of them exactly like I intended when I set them up. I have to say, the brown on Champagne Vergé really gives a nice vintage writing feel.

 

You may also be pleased to know I'm now a Diamine retailer, and I'll be doing ink samples of 70 of the Diamine inks as well (available in the first week of June).

[Signum1]

Excellent comparison. Thank you.

 

Now champagne G. Lalo Vergé de France, my wallet isn't going to like the thought on my mind.

[SamCapote]

Also really great comparison. Thanks!

[desertsquid]

This is just to let everyone know that Brian has posted an expanded version of this review on his ink nouveau blog. Here is a link to the review of J. Herbin Café des Iles, and Diamine Chocolate Brown, Raw Sienna and Dark Brown, all on Clairefontaine Triomphe and Vergé de France paper.

[LeonW]

Excellent comparison. Thank you.

 

Now champagne G. Lalo Vergé de France, my wallet isn't going to like the thought on my mind.

Agreed, seems like a slippery slope heading my way.

[iuoma]

Thanks for sharing this. I like to mix my colours and find the right mixture for writing. This brown looks quite interesting.

[visvamitra]

Chocolate Brown is really nice.

[Chuckie]

Very nice. Thanks for the great comparison.

[Bo Bo Olson]

I have a pack of G. Lalo Vergé de France: ivory, in 160 g. 25% cotton

Couldn't lay my hands on the thinner Vergé de France....90 or 120g. 50 sheet package.

 

I have G.Lalo Velin pur Coton 50% 125 g, an off white creme. 20 sheet packages.There is thicker of this also, if I remember.

Both were expensive paper...I don't remember exact cost now. I had been willing to pay for it, but had not realized they were Combo.

 

In both cases I was after heavy paper; heavier than the 80-90g papers.

 

The ivory is more yellowish than I expected.

 

Unfortunately both are Combo, ink jet and laser....So one can not expect the world in shading because to use an ink jet printer it has to have paper that absorbs ink quickly. Even in a combo there must be compromises made compared to a 100% laser only paper, The best shading is from a paper where the ink sits on top of it for a bit.

Sigh.

I don't have the antique type of fountain pen only version of this paper. Or even laser only.

xxxxxxxx

Very nice comparison showing how tone or hue of a paper can influence inks.

Edited June 22, 2014 by Bo Bo Olson