Barock Umbra

[yazeh]

Barock Umbra

 

Barock inks are a reissue of East German brand, which went kaput in 2011 and was revived by Octopus. As of 2024 there a 6 colours. 

“The story of the brand goes back to 1826, when the company August Leonhardi was founded. August Leonhardi became famous for his patented, legendary Alizarin inks. These were the first inks in the world that could be called document proof. “

You can read more about it here: 

https://www.octopus-office.de/shop/en/barock/

 

This is a complex, brown/green wet, with below average lubrication. I enjoyed it most with M nib on Iroful/Tomoe River 68 gsm and with Pilot F3A with a subtle Ef semi-flex nib. The wetter the nib the darker it becomes. It will be best with a soft nib. I wouldn’t use it in a Kakuno with Ef nib. Ink has no water resistance.

 

This has been a personal favorite and I tried to keep it in my pens as long as possible. 

 

It has one of those complex chromas

 

 

 

Writing Samples:

Photo:

 

Comparison:

Water test:

Left side 10 seconds under running water. As you can the shadow of Mr. Cat (mouse) was washed away  

 

Art Work:

This was part of the inktober 2024 challenge: Uncharted or Chat-man (pronounce shaman  ) Chat is cat in French. 

The idea was that with shamanic music one's psyche can go to unchartered territories  

 

Another inktober challenge 2024 prompt: Roam

Here is a mixture of three inks with different dilutions

 

Diamine x Niche pens Alexandrite,

Barock Umbra

Noodler's Lexington Gray

 

·      Pens used: Pilot F3A, Lamy (EF/F/M/B/ Stub 1.1) 

·      What I liked: Earthy colour. Drawing/sketching with. 

·      What I did not like: Nothing much, but if I want to nitpick, lack of waterproofness and being a bit low on lubrication. 

·       What might some not like: Lack of lubrication maybe?

·      Shading: Yes. 

·      Ghosting: Yes, on cheap paper. 

·      Bleed through: Yes, on cheap paper.

·      Flow Rate: Wet

·      Lubrication: Below average. 

·      Nib Dry-out: Did not notice. 

·      Start-up:  Ok

·      Saturation:  Medium/dark

·      Shading Potential: Yes. 

·      Sheen: No. 

·      Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: Did not notice. 

·      Nib Creep / “Crud”: Did not notice.

·      Staining (pen): No. 

·      Clogging: Did not notice.

·      Cleaning: Easy

·      Water resistance: Non-existent. 

·      Availability: 30 ml bottles. 

 

Please don't hesitate to share your experience, writing samples or any other comments. The more the merrier  

 

 

 

[LizEF]

Another interesting chroma!

 

"Alizarin" (Liz thinks: "Bob Ross" )

 

Below average lubrication: (But that's OK, I have non-EF nibs...)

 

Yummy.  Brown with hints of green - my kind of color...  Great shadow quotes (this time I had to go back to read them as I was too busy looking at the ink. )  I'm hoping the photos are more correct that the scans.

 

Whoa!!  That combo of swatches makes the Calamus brown look downright brick red!  Nice arrangement there.  So many browns, so little time...

 

Oof, poor mousey.  Washed away...  Very cool shaman, though!  Ah yes, and I still like Roam - instantly reminiscent of those 60s movies.

 

Thanks for another great review, @yazeh!

[yazeh]

1 hour ago, LizEF said:

Another interesting chroma!

😊

1 hour ago, LizEF said:

"Alizarin" (Liz thinks: "Bob Ross" )

Or maybe a cheeseburger joint where Makhabesh and Essri go to chill 

1 hour ago, LizEF said:

 

Below average lubrication: (But that's OK, I have non-EF nibs...)

Anything but Kakuno should be more or less fine 😊

1 hour ago, LizEF said:

 

 

Yummy.  Brown with hints of green - my kind of color...  Great shadow quotes (this time I had to go back to read them as I was too busy looking at the ink. )  I'm hoping the photos are more correct that the scans.

I'm not sure, but it's possible I sent you a written sample. The color reminds me of weathered decks

 

1 hour ago, LizEF said:

Whoa!!  That combo of swatches makes the Calamus brown look downright brick red!  Nice arrangement there.  So many browns, so little time...

 

Yep. One can see the range of the Browns. Very earthy 😊

1 hour ago, LizEF said:

 

 

Oof, poor mousey.  Washed away...  Very cool shaman, though!  Ah yes, and I still like Roam - instantly reminiscent of those 60s movies.

 

It was more the shadow of the cat

Glad my sketches work😜

1 hour ago, LizEF said:

Thanks for another great review, @yazeh!

A pleasure as always 🙏🙏🙏

[LizEF]

5 minutes ago, yazeh said:

It was more the shadow of the cat

But isn't the shadow in the form of our mousey and his umbrella?  That's how it looks to me, anyway...

[yazeh]

49 minutes ago, LizEF said:

But isn't the shadow in the form of our mousey and his umbrella?  That's how it looks to me, anyway...

Yes it is. The mouse within 😜

[lapis]

FWIW -- and yes, I pointed this out earlier somewhere, but I can't find where it is/was to save time and typing now -- this brand "Barock" shouldn't be confused with the earlier issues of "Barock" inks which came out up to around 1913. At that time there were also 6 inks, although they had "little" to do with the present 6. My originals from 2011 came in 45-ml bottles and were/are listed as follows (no, I never saw a No. 01 here): Basaltgrau 02, Zementgrau 03, Terra di Siena 04, Orientalisch Rot 05, Antikblau 06, and Monacoblau 07

 

Much later (almost a decade later), that name "Barock" was taken over by the company "Octopus" (in Dresden, formerly East Germany). That new company's inks were first (after 1913) available from eBay until their name evolved into "Octopus Fluids". They are now apparently present as "Octopus Concept", or simply "Octopus".

 

As Yazeh pointed out, Octopus' Barock line -- or more correctly their Barock 1910 line -- consists of 6 inks. They are now in 30-ml bottles.

• They can be purchased individually (https://www.octopus-office.de/shop/en/creative-inks/fountain-pen-ink-writing-ink/barock-fountain-pen-ink/8626/barock-1910-writing-ink-fountain-pen-ink-in-30-ml-jar),
• Or together as a set (https://www.octopus-office.de/shop/en/creative-inks/fountain-pen-ink-writing-ink/barock-fountain-pen-ink/9015/barock-1910-writing-ink-collection-in-a-30-ml-glass-bottle) 

Whew

[yazeh]

1 hour ago, lapis said:

FWIW -- and yes, I pointed this out earlier somewhere, but I can't find where it is/was to save time and typing now -- this brand "Barock" shouldn't be confused with the earlier issues of "Barock" inks which came out up to around 1913. At that time there were also 6 inks, although they had "little" to do with the present 6. My originals from 2011 came in 45-ml bottles and were/are listed as follows (no, I never saw a No. 01 here): Basaltgrau 02, Zementgrau 03, Terra di Siena 04, Orientalisch Rot 05, Antikblau 06, and Monacoblau 07

Thanks for pointing that out and the names of the original inks

1 hour ago, lapis said:

 

Much later (almost a decade later), that name "Barock" was taken over by the company "Octopus" (in Dresden, formerly East Germany). That new company's inks were first (after 1913) available from eBay until their name evolved into "Octopus Fluids". They are now apparently present as "Octopus Concept", or simply "Octopus".

Thanks for taking the time informing us on the historical. 

1 hour ago, lapis said:

 

As Yazeh pointed out, Octopus' Barock line -- or more correctly their Barock 1910 line -- consists of 6 inks. They are now in 30-ml bottles.

• They can be purchased individually (https://www.octopus-office.de/shop/en/creative-inks/fountain-pen-ink-writing-ink/barock-fountain-pen-ink/8626/barock-1910-writing-ink-fountain-pen-ink-in-30-ml-jar),
• Or together as a set (https://www.octopus-office.de/shop/en/creative-inks/fountain-pen-ink-writing-ink/barock-fountain-pen-ink/9015/barock-1910-writing-ink-collection-in-a-30-ml-glass-bottle) 

Whew

They can also be bought in USA and Canada from many retailers in Europe

[InesF]

Not only the brightest light, but also the @yazeh water test eats away the darkest (mouse) shadow!  

 

Thank you, @yazeh, for this ink review, for the inspiring quotes, for keeping cat safe, for the shaman cross-reference and for sharing your Inktober drawings with us! Such a pleasure to discover, step by step, mouse-click by mouse-click, your illustrated ink reviews. 

 

These Barock inks are comparably easy to get from European online stores, but not from B&M stores. I hesitated to dive in but will consider buying a full set in near future (when I manage to organize more ink storage, @LizEF  ).

 

The Umbra ink has a similar hue to R&K Sepia but is a bit more pale and leaning more towards green with your M, B and 1.1 stub nibs. That's interesting, as Sepia does similar things when either diluted or written very dry (towards the last traces of the almost empty pen). 🧑‍⚕️

 

Looking forward to your next illustrated ink review!

[LizEF]

30 minutes ago, InesF said:

(when I manage to organize more ink storage, @LizEF  ).

 Resistance is futile. 

[yazeh]

3 hours ago, InesF said:

Not only the brightest light, but also the @yazeh water test eats away the darkest (mouse) shadow!  

 

3 hours ago, InesF said:

 

Thank you, @yazeh, for this ink review, for the inspiring quotes, for keeping cat safe, for the shaman cross-reference and for sharing your Inktober drawings with us! Such a pleasure to discover, step by step, mouse-click by mouse-click, your illustrated ink reviews. 

Glad the drawings and inky explorations were enjoyable

 

I do my best you keep the cat safe. But you know cats play with fire/ water. Yesterday, it was Halloween. And my cat decided to go for a stroll, just before the trick or treating started. (That is when kids dressed in weird/ scary costumes go from door to door to beg for candy ) She had one of these bird collars that made her look like a cross between cat and a Frilled Lizard, so she a perfect Halloween costume. But she couldn't get back assuringly because of the traffic of the kids. In the end she appeared two hours later, with a bag sweets/ treats   
 

3 hours ago, InesF said:

 

These Barock inks are comparably easy to get from European online stores, but not from B&M stores. I hesitated to dive in but will consider buying a full set in near future (when I manage to organize more ink storage, @LizEF  ).

You have to make it cat proof, i.e. if you have a cat and if it has Icarus leanings like @LizEF Smoke 🐱 

3 hours ago, InesF said:

 

The Umbra ink has a similar hue to R&K Sepia but is a bit more pale and leaning more towards green with your M, B and 1.1 stub nibs. That's interesting, as Sepia does similar things when either diluted or written very dry (towards the last traces of the almost empty pen). 🧑‍⚕️

Good to know

3 hours ago, InesF said:

 

Looking forward to your next illustrated ink review!

Me too  

[yazeh]

3 hours ago, LizEF said:

 Resistance is futile. 

Recently I was watching Picard, and the Borg incantation  . Then I had this thought if there was a glitch / virus in the Borg programming and they would speak with Picard/ Loctus' ancestral language, i.e. French. No one would take them seriously. Ve aRe Zé Borgue. Resist-ANCE is futile! 

Come to think of it, the Borg with sound ridiculous with many US - British/ Commonwealth accents  

 

[LizEF]

2 hours ago, yazeh said:

Then I had this thought if there was a glitch / virus in the Borg programming and they would speak with Picard/ Loctus' ancestral language, i.e. French. No one would take them seriously. Ve aRe Zé Borgue. Resist-ANCE is futile! 

 

Back in 1999 (I think), I made a trip for work to a zillion countries in Europe in short order (OK, it was 5, but still).  In Belgium, the TV was showing Walker, Texas Ranger - speaking French!!  It was more than a little disturbing - Chuck Norris speaking French?  I don't think so.

 

3 hours ago, yazeh said:

Come to think of it, the Borg with sound ridiculous with many US - British/ Commonwealth accents  

True.  Patrick Steward pulled it off, though.

[yazeh]

2 hours ago, LizEF said:

Back in 1999 (I think), I made a trip for work to a zillion countries in Europe in short order (OK, it was 5, but still).  In Belgium, the TV was showing Walker, Texas Ranger - speaking French!!  It was more than a little disturbing - Chuck Norris speaking French?  I don't think so.

They showed many US shows dubbed. I remember seeing Love Boat  in French. A lot of ex-pat friends tried to learn French by watching TV and listening to the Radio. I read many French books in English first, before I could re-read them later in French

2 hours ago, LizEF said:

True.  Patrick Steward pulled it off, though.

Eh oui! In Picard he speaks some French from time to time and gives the explanation why his family stopped speaking French 😛 

[Bo Bo Olson]

On 10/31/2024 at 5:16 PM, LizEF said:

Brown with hints of green -

Thanks for the hint.

I have Octopus inks, and can see getting these. I once had one Baroque ink.

.........

Hoss Cartwright, "Hande Hoch....bitte!" Hands up....please.

Or John Wayne, jabbering Japanese.

[yazeh]

19 minutes ago, Bo Bo Olson said:

Thanks for the hint.

I have Octopus inks, and can see getting these. I once had one Baroque ink.

 

Have fun. Octopus has a wide range of inks. From sheening, to pastel to neon inks. They have recently made a line for fountainfeder, too

 

[Sailor Kenshin]

I thought I had replied?

 

The eye-popping chroma, the Kitteh drummer?  Lie de The?  What happened?  Was I only dreaming?

 

@yazeh, thanks once again for making life colorful with your detailed, entertaining InkSplorations!  Keep ‘em coming! 

 

 

[inkstainedruth]

@yazeh This looks like an interesting color.  I'm wondering how it would compare to something like Noodler's El Lawrence (which I have).

So this might be one to try a sample of at some point.  Thanks for the review -- and, well, maybe not.... 

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Beechwood]

I am sure that it is just my and what I have held to be true but Umbra paint just wasn't this color, not that it isn't attractive but I always understood to be a definite shade of brown as opposed to grey, this ink is nearer to RAL 7022, Umbra Grey.

 

Nice review.

[yazeh]

11 hours ago, Sailor Kenshin said:

I thought I had replied?

 

 

11 hours ago, Sailor Kenshin said:

The eye-popping chroma, the Kitteh drummer?  Lie de The?  What happened?  Was I only dreaming?

Lie de Thé is still to come. It has been quite a few weeks, so probably you were caught up with other fun stuff

11 hours ago, Sailor Kenshin said:

@yazeh, thanks once again for making life colorful with your detailed, entertaining InkSplorations!  Keep ‘em coming! 

A pleasure! I'll do my best

 

[yazeh]

11 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

@yazeh This looks like an interesting color.  I'm wondering how it would compare to something like Noodler's El Lawrence (which I have).

I'll see if I can digout my El Lawrence swatch and do a comparison

11 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

So this might be one to try a sample of at some point.  Thanks for the review -- and, well, maybe not.... 

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

It's a fun ink for doing washes. But if you want me to dissuade you, I would say it's on the dry side