Inky T O D - What Is Your Method For Keeping Track Of Your Inks?

[ac12]

I keep a binder with 2 pages per ink

 

page 1 = sheet with strips of 4 papers taped on, to see the effect of the ink on 4 different papers using my standard testing pens (Morriset dip pen M,F/XF (changing from F to XF) and for some a Lamy 1.1 nib) This is because I have discovered that the same ink will behave and look different on different paper. Papers are: Hammermill 28# Color Copy Digital, HP 32# Premium, Staples 20# Sustainable Earth sugar cane, Staples Brazil filler paper.

 

page 2 = wide ruled sheet to do writing to see what a paragraph of that ink would look like, as it is hard to imagine how many lines of the ink would look like. This page is also where I would write my thoughts on the ink.

 

However, I found out that the ink line out of some of my pens can be different than my test pens. I determined this is because the fountain pen has a different ink flow rate than my Morriset testing pen. This is similar to 2 different pens (Parker and Esterbrook), writing with the same ink on the same paper, creating 2 very different looking ink lines.

 

So however imperfect it is, it is better than nothing, and gives me an idea of what the ink will look like.

 

But, I like Amber's cards for a quick look at the inks color.

Edited May 17, 2014 by ac12

[amberleadavis]

 

 

But, I like Amber's cards for a quick look at the inks color.

 

An added benefit of the cards is seeing it the same color with a different pen. Also, the cards are easily placed side by side for comparisons.

[ArchiMark]

Found this very helpful topic the other day.....

 

Got me motivated to try and organize my relatively small ( I assume.....only have about 24 inks including some tiny sample bottles...) ink collection.

 

Thought it would also help me to decide what if any other inks to try by seeing if there's any pattern to what colors I have and conversely what colors are missing. Hope this makes sense.....

 

Looking around I found a stack of Rolodex cards and decided to give them a try as ink sample cards. Decide to go with 2 colors per card. Seems to work out well as I can compare and contrast the two colors on one card.

 

Also, decided to organize cards by color; blues, greens, browns, blacks, and grays....Created a numbering code for this. Pretty simple; 1B is card one of blues, 1G is card one of greens, 1 Bl is card one of blacks, etc. This way I can organize cards into decks of specific colors and add cards in sequence over time.

 

For now, just a simple binder clip to hold them together.

 

Was pleasantly surprised at how well the Rolodex cards I used take the ink without feathering and very little bleed through.

 

Please note that for all the images below, except the last one, I put three cards onto the scanner and made one image. So, this is just one possible set of combinations of cards next to one another. Could compose in different order if I want to. Also, images are as scanned, did not try to make any color or brightness adjustments, etc.

 

Let me know what you think of my experiment. If you have any suggestions regarding how I do the cards or any inks you think I need to try, I'd welcome the input.

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

 

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Marks-InkSamples-1_zps8bd7403b.jpg

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Marks-InkSamples-2_zps4473325c.jpg

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Marks-InkSamples-3_zps19125f58.jpg

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Marks-InkSamples-4_zps72c0f384.jpg

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Marks-InkSamples-5_zps5d1e0daa.jpg

Edited July 4, 2014 by ArchiMark

[william2001]

I don't think you need to, unless you have more than 5 different inks.

I suggest you try the ink before writing.

-William S. Park

[Bookman]

As long as we're sharing, this is my Pen-Ink Diary entry for today.

 

When I swap inks in any pen, the lineup changes and I prepare a fresh page—except on the rare occasion I swap inks in a pen later the same day, in which case I just add the new pen-ink combo underneath if there's room for it. I have room on this page for two more ink-swaps. Diamine Sapphire Blue is going into the Waterman Exclusive. Maybe I'll do the deed before day's end.

 

My record is not for the present but for future reference: whenever I rummage through my journal and some not-plainly-identifiable pen-ink combo piques my curiosity or whenever I'm curious about when I last used a particular ink in a particular pen. I typically remember my current pen-ink pairings. And when I forget, I use a scratch pad to refresh my memory.

 

[ArchiMark]

I don't think you need to, unless you have more than 5 different inks.

 

Don't need to what? make sample cards, organize ink samples?......

 

 

I suggest you try the ink before writing.

-William S. Park

 

I usually do a quick ink dip with a pen and write a bit to try out a new ink.....anything wrong with doing this?

 

 

As long as we're sharing, this is my Pen-Ink Diary entry for today.

 

When I swap inks in any pen, the lineup changes and I prepare a fresh page—except on the rare occasion I swap inks in a pen later the same day, in which case I just add the new pen-ink combo underneath if there's room for it. I have room on this page for two more ink-swaps. Diamine Sapphire Blue is going into the Waterman Exclusive. Maybe I'll do the deed before day's end.

 

My record is not for the present but for future reference: whenever I rummage through my journal and some not-plainly-identifiable pen-ink combo piques my curiosity or whenever I'm curious about when I last used a particular ink in a particular pen. I typically remember my current pen-ink pairings. And when I forget, I use a scratch pad to refresh my memory.

 

 

Interesting approach......assume you're using some kind of journal book for this......

[Bookman]

 

Don't need to what? make sample cards, organize ink samples?......

 

 

I usually do a quick ink dip with a pen and write a bit to try out a new ink.....anything wrong with doing this?

 

 

 

Interesting approach......assume you're using some kind of journal book for this......

 

Yes. I'm using a Miquelrius Flexible Journal (600 pp., graph) that I bought at Barnes & Noble. I make entries in landscape.

[mhguda]

I admit up until yesterday I tried remembering what was in what pen, and writing it down in my day-to-day jotting notebook did help a bit. But I am experimenting with new ink mixtures and finding out that I can't keep the combinations straight! so I have finally started to build an ink-use spreadsheet. It will allow me to ink an embarrassing number of pens inked, few with exactly the same ink. I have, so far, a column for the pen (and if I've changed the nib from the stock I note it too), a column for the ink - just the name I use; I have an ink notebook where I write samples of ink mixes and their recipes, plus my (initial) impression, and the name I give the mix, so I can find it again. Then a column for the (approximate) date of the fill; and the last column has remarks if necessary. I hope I will find the energy to keep this spreadsheet current - sometimes when things go a little crazy such things fall by the wayside...

I love the non-digital solutions some of you have thought up, but in my case I find being able to digitally search the database at some future confused time will be a benefit... provided, of course, I indeed keep it current (note to self: update inksheet with latest fill!)

[Zilknitha]

I keep a log in my journal dating when a pen was filled and with which ink. This is more so I can keep a track of how much ink I use and which colours I am using, and remind me when my pens need a good clean. I did try keeping an ink diary...but it didn't quite work for me. I use a lot of different colours of paper and I ended up confusing myself.

I keep toying with the idea of returning to keeping a journal of my thoughts on the inks I have. Yet, I think I just need to find a better system. For now, I have a draw for my inks.

[Tas]

Sinistral1, I and thanks to migo984 many others have now taken to using the Mnemosyne cards. Although Sinistral1 has a lot more patience and takes far more care with them than I do.

http://www.taskyprianou.com/fpn_mnemosyne_cards.jpg

 

I find them a great starting point for testing my inks in the way I tend to use them and I'll write the recipe of any mixed ink on the reverse for additional reference.

 

http://www.taskyprianou.com/fpn_blue_merle_swatch.jpg

 

However, I also draw little bottles on the actual paper stock in the back of a sketch book so I know exactly how each ink will look and behave on it - Private Reserve Gray Flannel, Cacao du Brazil and some of the so called permanent inks have tricked me on more than one occasion.

 

http://www.taskyprianou.com/fpn_ink_bottles3.jpg

 

 

 

[pmhudepo]

Tas and Sinistral1: those cards are beautiful!

 

Sorry to say that I have no system whatsoever for keeping track of my inks. Well, I know most bottles are in a desk drawer. When I got too many, the limited edition bottles (inside their boxes) moved to a shelf above the desk. So I at least know where my bottles are.

 

Perhaps, come winter time, I should give this disciplined approach of Tas and Sinistral1 a try...

Edited July 7, 2014 by pmhudepo

[The Blue Knight]

I actually have started to compile a method of doing this after doubling the number of inks I have. The project should be done by the end of the week and will post a few pictures of it.

[Tas]

Oh go on The Blue Knight, give us a little teaser now . . .

[Blue_Moon]

Some great examples on this site. Tas, the simplicity of your work really appeals to me.

Edited July 7, 2014 by Blue_Moon

[Sinistral1]

Tas - Your bottles make me think of seeing an inky version of the Antiques Roadshow! Are your bottles Royal Daulton or Lalique?

 

Edited to add: My reviews came to an abrupt halt last week when my el cheapo little plastic folding (and adjustable) table experienced catastrophic failure and collapsed to the floor. My cup of rinse water splashed all over my Clairefontaine Triomphe and several Rhodia pads AND my completed cards! I'll only have to re-do a few, but no new reviews until I have found a fixative to waterproof the existing ones. Any recommendations?

Edited July 7, 2014 by Sinistral1

[Tas]

Oh no!!!!

I'm so sorry for you.

 

Sinistral1, Antique Roadshow, I wished. Mine, I think are more IKEA . . .

 

Thanks Blue Moon. Very kind.

[RudyR]

I looks into my ink treasure chest and say "Arrrrh, they still be in there" to confirm to myself that, yes, they are still in the same place i left them and none have walked away.

 

Happy Seafair

[Sinistral1]

RudyR: Me thinks ya 'av 'ad toooo many flagons of rum, ya swabbie! Yer method only werk wid a light load a'ink! I gots me a hea'y load, mate!

[amberleadavis]

Found this very helpful topic the other day.....

 

Got me motivated to try and organize my relatively small ( I assume.....only have about 24 inks including some tiny sample bottles...) ink collection.

 

Thought it would also help me to decide what if any other inks to try by seeing if there's any pattern to what colors I have and conversely what colors are missing. Hope this makes sense.....

 

Looking around I found a stack of Rolodex cards and decided to give them a try as ink sample cards. Decide to go with 2 colors per card. Seems to work out well as I can compare and contrast the two colors on one card.

 

Also, decided to organize cards by color; blues, greens, browns, blacks, and grays....Created a numbering code for this. Pretty simple; 1B is card one of blues, 1G is card one of greens, 1 Bl is card one of blacks, etc. This way I can organize cards into decks of specific colors and add cards in sequence over time.

 

For now, just a simple binder clip to hold them together.

 

Was pleasantly surprised at how well the Rolodex cards I used take the ink without feathering and very little bleed through.

 

Please note that for all the images below, except the last one, I put three cards onto the scanner and made one image. So, this is just one possible set of combinations of cards next to one another. Could compose in different order if I want to. Also, images are as scanned, did not try to make any color or brightness adjustments, etc.

 

Let me know what you think of my experiment. If you have any suggestions regarding how I do the cards or any inks you think I need to try, I'd welcome the input.

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

 

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Marks-InkSamples-1_zps8bd7403b.jpg

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Marks-InkSamples-2_zps4473325c.jpg

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Marks-InkSamples-3_zps19125f58.jpg

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Marks-InkSamples-4_zps72c0f384.jpg

http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr100/ArchiMark/Marks-InkSamples-5_zps5d1e0daa.jpg

 

 

Good use of old Rolodex cards.

[ArchiMark]

 

Good use of old Rolodex cards.

Thanks!....

 

Was pleasantly surprised at how well they worked for this, size-wise, and taking ink well......