Shading

[Corvus77]

I've read through a few threads where there are references to "shading" of inks, but I'm new enough that I don't think I completely get the picture. Is there a picture - can someone show some examples of what shading looks like? Is this a desirable characteristic or something that one might now want at times, but definitely would like at other times? Also, what contributes to make an ink shade - chemical composition, amount of solids, how it is applied? Appreciate any education. Thanks.

[carlc]

Hi

 

I understand the theoretical difference between shading and variations in hue but I'm not sure I can apply it in practice.

 

Have a look at this thread here.

And this here

 

And a gratuitous link to the thread here just to show how seductive some people's handwriting can be (see Apotheosis' post) - I don't like Kiowa Pecan but whenever I look at that photo I change my mind - sadly I can't write like that!

 

Unfortunately the thread I have in my (corrupted) memory banks that discusses hue v shading in great depth is the one I cannot find.

 

Carl

Edited April 30, 2011 by carlc

[waterman1924]

THIS is what I consider shading in an ink. The wider the nibs spread on a flexible nib the more shading or darker the color gets

[waterman1924]

THIS is what I consider shading in an ink. The wider the nibs spread on a flexible nib the more shading or darker the color gets

[Mauricio]

Here are a couple of images depicting ink shading with vintage flexible nibs. I have recently discovered these inks and I really like them when used with very flexible nibs.

 

Ink: Diamine Light Green

 

 

 

Ink: Diamine Sepia

 

 

 

Ink: Noodler's Apache Sunset

 

[CatBookMom]

O. M. G. Those are stunningly beautiful!! :notworthy1:

 

 

Um, is it possible to know where you find nibs like that (or who adjusts them to that extent for you)? I wouldn't even know what to ask for (dream about having).

[Basset]

Another example of shading, though the original point was to show the line variation in a Mont Blanc flex nib.

 

Note the different shades of green with the same ink.

 

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p297/julioathompson/4.jpg

 

Another example of shading. Different pen, different ink.

 

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p297/julioathompson/DSC09307.jpg

[kushbaby]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but to clarify, shading isn't exactly the same thing as flex (though it is something *seen* in flex writing, because of the variable amount of ink being laid down). It is a characteristic of ink, where there is a different (darker or lighter) shade of the ink color on the paper with different amounts of ink being put down as you write. You can see it even if there's no true flex to a nib, but if it lays down varying amounts of ink as you write (usually seen with wet nibs).

 

Does this make sense at all? I'm sure someone else will describe it better than me.

[Basset]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but to clarify, shading isn't exactly the same thing as flex (though it is something *seen* in flex writing, because of the variable amount of ink being laid down). It is a characteristic of ink, where there is a different (darker or lighter) shade of the ink color on the paper with different amounts of ink being put down as you write. You can see it even if there's no true flex to a nib, but if it lays down varying amounts of ink as you write (usually seen with wet nibs).

 

Does this make sense at all? I'm sure someone else will describe it better than me.

 

You're right - though not all wet non-flexible nibs will show shading. Some just put a lot of ink on the paper and it all comes out darker.

 

Flex nibs really can show off shading ink, because the ink flow can be highly variable, with dark downstrokes as the tines widen and more ink comes out.

 

BTW, my photos posted above were old ones used to illustrate flex nibs, but had the benefit of showing some shading, and being easy to link to.

[Gobblecup]

It's just like shading with a pencil. A variation of light and dark shades of the ink in a single stroke is how I would define it. This is caused by many variables including the ink, the feed and flow of your pen, and the nib itself.

Edited May 1, 2011 by Gobblecup

[Gobblecup]

Here are a couple of images depicting ink shading with vintage flexible nibs. I have recently discovered these inks and I really like them when used with very flexible nibs.

 

Ink: Diamine Light Green

 

 

 

Ink: Diamine Sepia

 

 

 

Ink: Noodler's Apache Sunset

 

 

Give me those!!!

[WendyNC]

And, as always, paper plays a role in shading, with finish and rate of absorption each playing a role.

Edited May 1, 2011 by WendyNC

[Gobblecup]

And, as always, paper plays a role in shading, with finish and rate of absorption each playing a role.

 

Thanks for adding paper in, I forgot it. Alas, I am still a padawan.... :embarrassed_smile:

[kushbaby]

It's just like shading with a pencil. A variation of light and dark shades of the ink in a single stroke is how I would define it. This is caused by many variables including the ink, the feed and flow of your pen, and the nib itself.

 

See, I told you someone would do a better job of explaining it...

[Corvus77]

Wow! Thanks for the great responses and examples. I love this website - ask a question and learn way more than you expect! Those examples are phenomenal - I can't imagine getting a fat line like that from the nib that is shown. Lovely hand.

 

Chuck

[ehemem]

It's just like shading with a pencil. A variation of light and dark shades of the ink in a single stroke is how I would define it. This is caused by many variables including the ink, the feed and flow of your pen, and the nib itself.

 

See, I told you someone would do a better job of explaining it...

 

There is another variable: the speed of the writing. And I know that my writing speed varies with the letterforms I'm putting down, even within a single letter.

 

Just a thought...

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

Another example, taken from a sample of MBRG, posted HERE. This is from a wide no-flex nib on Rhodia. As I am not a calligrapher, this is my normal atrocious handwriting.

 

 

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/InkyThoughts2010/Montblanc_Racing_Green_Replication/FPN189.jpg

 

And MBBlBk (cartridge) from a Platinum B nib on Rhodia.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Montblanc%20Blue-Black%20Cartridges/24a3fb72.jpg

 

Also an excerpt from a Sample of yu-yaki:

 

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/InkyThoughts2010/yu-yake_sample/FPN262.jpg

The sample shows that the ink, in my hand, has highly variable and complex shading. While I used a common pen & primary nib for this example, I do prefer a more rigid/stiff nib - which is suitable for the speed at which I write. (For this sample, the Ink Putti ... came away with rather idiotic grins, ...)

 

EDIT - To add:

A sample of Pelikan BlBk from a flex overachiever, a Waterman's BCHR 52 1/2 V + № 2 nib.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/a485ded0.jpg

 

Bye,

S1

Edited May 1, 2011 by Sandy1

[lapis]

Shading is a property of the ink itself. Inks with a good/nice degree of shading are relatively saturated (i.e. they have a relatively high concentration of solutes) but at the same time these inks have a relatively low viscosity (highly fluid) solvent. Thus, the ink can get "soaked" into the paper more easily.

These two characteristicsare are as said above the main reason why a flex nib will more easily result in a nice shading. But... it's not just variation in the "darkness" or "intensity" of the colour, there can also be differences in the amount of certain constituents in that colour. I.e. a nice green like that seen above ends up being not only a darker green versus a lighter green, but the darker green can have e.g. more brown hues in it. That's because the green and brown solute consituents in the solvent each have their own degree of solubility. The best way to look for any shading is not only just to use a flex nib but a patient use of any nib. Do your writing in a slower, more "sophisticated" way than usual. Press down more and write more slowly on a downward stroke than on an upward straoke. See? ... the upward strokes are not only thinner and lighter, they can also have less intensity of the other (or any other) supplementary colour (in this case brown) in the ink mix.

 

Whew

[mstone]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but to clarify, shading isn't exactly the same thing as flex (though it is something *seen* in flex writing, because of the variable amount of ink being laid down).

 

Historically, flex writing was sometimes called "shaded writing" and the "shading" was the thin-thick variation (completely unrelated to the current use of the term). Something to keep in mind when reading old instruction manuals and such.

[Vincent1278]

From my experience:

 

I am fairly certain the shading has much more to do with the nib and feed and flow of the pen than the make up of the ink itself. Every ink contains 'shades' from the different pigments and hues used to create the color. The only other property of the ink that may affect shading is the additives or lack of for creating lubricated effect or thickening of the solution because this may cause a dry writer to flow better.

 

If you look at shaded writing the darker areas tend to be at the end of the stroke where excess ink comes off the nib and settles back into the ink path as you lift the pen. This might also occur where strokes cross like in a letter T or while writing in cursive. A dry writer will have less or no shading compared to a wet writer.

 

With a pen that has a drier flow, like an old Pelikan m205 I had, I get no shading from MB Royal Blue. But with a wet pen like my vintage Sheaffer Balance the same ink has lots of shading. If a pen is a very wet writer there will be shading but much more dark color than light in the strokes.