Callifolio Line (36 Inks) - L'artisan Pastellier

[visvamitra]

L'Artisan Pastellier is french ink / calligraphy materials producers. They offer two lines of inks suitable for fountain pens: CALLIFOLIO (inks made for fountain pens, neutral PH and so on) and ENCRES CLASSIQUES (not all of them may have perfect properties however I've tried most of them and had no issues in my fountain pens).

L'Artisan Pastellier inks don't get much love or attention here. I understand this as they're not easily obtainable. You may buy them directly from the producer's on-line/stationery boutique.

I must admit I'm huge fan of Callifolio series. They have cool names and some trully unique colors. They're nor super-saturated but I like them this way.

There is thirty six colors in Callifolio line. Let's take a closer look at them.

Ink splashes

http://imageshack.com/a/img901/268/57GDKI.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/752/lg1a3I.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/3728/gLPujJ.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img904/6524/gv1AVk.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/9251/ESIpzt.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/7457/2Zc83K.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/3500/Divg6n.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/6343/UbF3Wx.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/6339/Y8riRC.jpg

Swabs on MONDI 90G paper

http://imageshack.com/a/img901/5368/NFeHw2.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/8282/3bRH4M.jpghttp://imageshack.com/a/img661/9468/DvgCck.jpg

Gems (cut in PS from the photo made in intense sunlight)

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/7453/gGN6VL.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/9914/w2xCYz.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/56/hjPCbE.jpg

Drops of ink on kitchen towel

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/234/HI4ZLU.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img901/1802/1lCDH3.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img909/6451/ZBtXpl.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/4374/2Y5Qye.jpg

[visvamitra]

Text written with Kaweco Sport Classic witb broad nib turned into eyedropper (Kaweco Sport turned to eyedropper always leaves line that is saturated. If you're notorious fine nib user you may be disappointed by some of inks that appear rich in color in my reviews. They are but only in broad, wet nibs that I use use on everyday basis. I don't really like fine nibs so I almost never use them to review inks.)

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/6007/6qaqP6.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/5060/IZfDUb.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/8038/ZDygNi.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img910/1710/CE4AVF.jpg

Franklin-Christoph notebook:

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/9909/oms9xL.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img903/4760/TriRs6.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img903/2747/RIfwAJ.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img913/7659/UJQnrN.jpg

Copy Paper

http://imageshack.com/a/img901/1311/cqryxD.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/628/TK7SPM.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/5355/SRYNEJ.jpg

Glass R&K pen on Rhodia paper:

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/9650/rOjJAj.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/8566/JXua4F.jpghttp://imageshack.com/a/img909/9109/I6wGc6.jpghttp://imageshack.com/a/img673/4753/pp2VP0.jpghttp://imageshack.com/a/img661/7600/uMs9TY.jpghttp://imageshack.com/a/img673/5673/UhXLaY.jpg

Glass R&K pen (a lot of ink, hence the extreme saturation) on Oxford paper (order of inks as in Calendar scans counting from left to right):

http://imageshack.com/a/img904/8061/dEMffl.jpghttp://imageshack.com/a/img674/8064/2WsHwZ.jpg

WATERPROOFNESS

Before immersion

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/3984/do5HXA.jpg

After immersion

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/2358/CokP5i.jpg

After 5 minutes

http://imageshack.com/a/img746/9686/EsjhyM.jpg

After three hours

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/2329/bJDiJd.jpg

SUMMARY

I do enjoy most of these colors. My main goal as ink enthusiast is to make lesser known brands known to the public with all their strength and weaknesses.

Remeber that L'Artisan Pasterllier inks (with exception of Olivastre that is stunning and strongly saturated) are moderately saturated and sometimes they're not the most lubricating inks. As I never use extra fine nibs and I don't really like fine nibs, I find it enjoyable to use these inks in medium, broad and stub nibs.

My all time favourite color is Inti. Yes, I know it looks like nothing special, yet it appeals to me strongly.

Other great Callifolio inks are (for me): Olivastre, Cannelle, Violet, Omi Osun, Bourgogne.

I dislike blue/blacks and blacks in general and Callifolio blue/blacks and blue/grays haven't changed my taste.

Teodora - new green is really boring. Guess generic colors are needed as well On the other hand Olivastre - second new ink in the line is simply stunning.

Edited November 14, 2014 by visvamitra

[Tas]

We are not worthy!

Thanks again for all your hard work . . .

[Cyber6]

Thanks so much Vis... the amount of work on your reviews/comparisons is outstanding.. Tas is right... We are not worthy...

 

They do have a bunch of similar colors.. I would certainly get a few of them, this makes my decision so much easier.

 

 

Thanks again.

 

 

C.

[amberleadavis]

You did fabulous!!!

[lgsoltek]

Another amazing review! Thank you! There are some of them I like. I just wish they were more easy to acquire...

[mrul]

Great

[Jared]

Wow! Thank you again for an excellent review of these inks. I'd love to see this ink maker be more available/prominent in the US market.

Edited November 20, 2014 by Jared

[tinysnail]

Wow, this comparison is fantastic. That's a pretty big line of inks and yet I can actually see how they all fit together. J'aime beaucoup les bruns; particulièrement Canelle et Heure Dorée

[lgsoltek]

I tried to order a few that I like but, "Pas de livraison vers le pays sélectionné", ...

[visvamitra]

@igsoltek - the best thing to do is to write to Didier Boinnard - a man behinf L'Artisan Pastellier. You can also think about getting them from Sakura Pen Gallery.

[lgsoltek]

@igsoltek - the best thing to do is to write to Didier Boinnard - a man behinf L'Artisan Pastellier. You can also think about getting them from Sakura Pen Gallery.

 

Considering I have over 50 inks now (most of them whole bottles), I think I should put off my plans for L'Artisan Pastellier for now. (This being said, I'm eyeing the new Montblanc Corn Poppy Red.)

Or I can ask some of my students or colleagues who are or will be in France to get some for me...

[Binge]

I wanted to thank visvamitra for making this available. I picked up a shipment of 9 of Callifolio inks from the PO this morning and so far I've only opened and inked a pen with Bleu Atlantique. I am very much a fan. Great find. Wonderful ink.

 

http://i.imgur.com/5BxJpmY.jpg?1

[visvamitra]

@Binge - I'm glad that you like it I agree it's nice ink.

[amberleadavis]

Okay, I'm trying Inti as you suggested!

[Luma]

You read my mind Amber! Inti and Huere Doree have both made my wish list...

[dms525]

Vis,

 

First, thank you so much for this comprehensive introduction. Second, it should be noted that, in the U.S., Vanness is now carrying the Callifolio inks. (Yay!)

 

Question: You mentioned that these inks are not very lubricated. Are they also dry? Many of my pens have wet nibs, and they do best with dry inks. Think Pelikan pen/Pelikan ink. How would you rate the Callifolio inks on the wet/dry continuum?

 

Thanks.

 

David

[mmg122]

Amazing amount of work you did for this review. Thank you so much! Since Vanness is now carrying this line of inks, I'm sure I'll be trying a few. Bordeaux, Olivastre and Olifants are calling my name.

[visvamitra]

@dms525 - they are wet and with average lubrication With few exceptions: from my experience Omi Osun, Olivastre, Bleu Equinoxe 6 are reasonably lubricating inks.

[dms525]

@dms525 - they are wet and with average lubrication With few exceptions: from my experience Omi Osun, Olivastre, Bleu Equinoxe 6 are reasonably lubricating inks.

Thank you!

 

David