Hosia Ink Studio - Shing Tong

[yazeh]

Hosia Ink Studio - Shing Tong

 

According to the very excellent Soe &Soe, website: 

"Shing Tong is a chromoshading ink with muted red base with blue haloing and golden sheen. It is said that this effect is best seen with a dip pen. "

 

Many thanks to @A Smug Dill to introducing me to this brand and this new stationary store. 

 

Chromoshading seems to be the new wave in ink. This is the first of the three Chinese brands I'll be reviewing. For now, I found them consistently lacking in lubrication and the hype, is just hype. However, for those of you who use ink for artwork, these inks are fun to use. 

 

According to chatgpt, Shing Tong means “Sacred Hall" or "Holy Temple."

 

In Short: Novelty ink, effects are only seen with heavy applications and on some Japanese papers, otherwise you have a dusky purple with nice shading. 

 

Inks flow is ok, in Kakuno it was a bit sluggish and laborious. Nib creaper was a bit ink starved. Lubrication is below average (you will have feedback).  Dry times are on the long side on Rhodia, water resistance is decent. The complexity of ink appears mostly in washes.  Cleaning is a bit difficult you'll need a cleaning solution to remove the pink dye  

 

Interestingly when applied heavily, (Or heavy handedly ) the blue dye bleeds through some papers (Copy paper/ Iroful), so I wonder if it can be used with dip pen on normal paper. 

 

Bottom line: If you don’t like feedback, it isn’t for you. If you want to see the effect, you’ll need a wet pen/ wide, buttery nib and good Japanese paper. It’s good for journaling, artwork, ink washes, calligraphy.  Get a sample, if you can. 

 

 Chroma:

 

 

 

Writing Samples:

Color is difficult to scan, and ink looks grey  

 

 

Note how on heavy application, the "chromo" parts bleeds through  

 

 

Photo:

Color is correct

 

Closeup: Midori

TR68

Iroful

Comparison:

Note how scanner captures the colour of this ink. However, you can discern a hint of lavender. 

Water test:

Right image (10 seconds under running water, 24 hours after writing) - Paper is Marumann

 

Art Work:

I have already posted a drawing, featuring this ink in my Lennon Tool Bar, Cat General review: 

Beauty Salon

 

Lennon Tool Bar Cat General (tan)

*FANYANTAN - Qinghai Wave (Green)

*Hosia Ink Studio - Shing Tong

Kala Moon light Tide

 

Broken

Kala Moonlight Tide (Grey black)/ Noodler's Red Rattler Red)

Chromoshading inks: 

Hosia Ink Studio - Shing Tong 

FANYANTAN - Qinghai Wave (Green) 

Modern Connection

 

While Mr. Fish, smoking his bubble pipe, filled the void of his empty castle, watching cute kitty videos on his waterproof custom made TV, Cat & Mouse were watching video deep sea videos on his smart phone. 

The back ground is Shing Tong

 

Others inks used: 

KWZ orange

Jacques Herbin Rue de la Verrerie (Fish bowl)

Kala Moonlight Tide (Grey)

De Atramentis Document Cyan (smart phone) 

 

 

·      Pens used: Pilot Kakuno Ef, Lamy (EF/F/M/B/ Stub 1.1), Noodler’s Nib Creaper semi-flex

·      What I liked: Colour doing washes, watching ink dry  

·      What I did not like: Lack of lubrication. Cleaning it. The hype. 

·       What some might not like: Price, lack of lubrication

·       Writing experience: Not the best. 

·       Pros: Gorgeous colour, great for doing ink washes. 

·       Cons: Lack of lubrication. Availability, cleaning. 

·      Shading: Lovely. 

·      Ghosting: Yes, on cheap paper and heavy applications on Iroful.

·      Bleed through: Same as above. 

·      Flow Rate: ok

·      Lubrication: Below average.

·      Nib Dry-out: If the pen is uncapped, yes

·      Start-up:  Ok

·      Saturation:  Not saturated. 

·      Shading Potential: Good

·      Sheen: No. 

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

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

·      Staining (pen): Did not notice. 

·      Clogging: Did not notice.

·      Cleaning: l needed a cleaning solution. 

·      Water resistance: Decent

·      Availability:  30 ml bottles, 

 

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

[Mercian]

  On 4/2/2025 at 8:37 PM, yazeh said:

In Short: Novelty ink, effects are only seen with heavy applications and on some Japanese papers, otherwise you have a dusky purple with nice shading.

Expand  

 

Your review seems (to me) to suggest that this is an ink that is probably best-suited to use by artists, who will be able to wring out of it all the 'special effects' that it can offer

 

For those of us who are not artists, and do not use dip-pens (or other ink-dispensers that lay down 'heavy applications' of ink), or have access to hard-to-come-by Japanese papers, but who still want a dusky purple that gives fantastic shading, I nominate Rohrer & Klingner 'Scabiosa'.

An ink that also has low lubrication and decent water resistance.
Which is because the R&K ink is an iron-gall - so, another 'scary' ink - but then that gives it good resistance to feathering/bleed-through as well.

 

[LizEF]

Thanks, @yazeh!  The extended intro summary is nice.  Chroma is interesting enough.

 

The writing is interesting.  I sort of see two colors between the heaviest/wettest areas (redder) vs the drier areas (more of that dusky purple).

 

Midori seems to dull it except that in a few places, the blue and red seem to separate.

 

Can't say the color in any of the writing samples inspired me...

 

Hmm.  I think I like it better after the water has washed away the greyer part and left the red!

 

Yep, still love those clippers!

 

Aaaw, poor little mousey.  Kitty's jacket is rendered quite interesting by the separation of the ink.

 

And Modern Connection is all too real!

 

Great review, Yazeh!  Glad you were able to find a good use for the ink.

[yazeh]

  On 4/2/2025 at 9:43 PM, Mercian said:

 

Your review seems (to me) to suggest that this is an ink that is probably best-suited to use by artists, who will be able to wring out of it all the 'special effects' that it can offer

Expand  

Yep. It could also be used by anyone, though I'm not sure if it's worth all the hassle, unless it's easily available. I've got a few more from the same brand to test, so we'll see....

  On 4/2/2025 at 9:43 PM, Mercian said:

 

For those of us who are not artists, and do not use dip-pens (or other ink-dispensers that lay down 'heavy applications' of ink),

Expand  

Irony is that using it with heavy application on good Japanese paper isn't workable either. I wonder if heavy applications should be used on watercolor paper 😊

  On 4/2/2025 at 9:43 PM, Mercian said:

or have access to hard-to-come-by Japanese papers, but who still want a dusky purple that gives fantastic shading, I nominate Rohrer & Klingner 'Scabiosa'.

An ink that also has low lubrication and decent water resistance.
Which is because the R&K ink is an iron-gall - so, another 'scary' ink - but then that gives it good resistance to feathering/bleed-through as well.

 

Expand  

Scabiosa isn't a scary IG ink. Wait until you see t'aime new IG inks @LizEF and I will soon review. They are considered scary 🫢😋

[yazeh]

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:30 AM, LizEF said:

Thanks, @yazeh!  The extended intro summary is nice. 

Expand  

Thanks. I was worried in this day and age of gold fish attention span, if anyone would read it. 😋

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:30 AM, LizEF said:

Chroma is interesting enough.

Expand  

The chroma of these inks are most interesting. 

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:30 AM, LizEF said:

 

The writing is interesting.  I sort of see two colors between the heaviest/wettest areas (redder) vs the drier areas (more of that dusky purple).

Expand  

Yep. Only visible in close-up photos and under certain lighting conditions. 

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:30 AM, LizEF said:

 

Midori seems to dull it except that in a few places, the blue and red seem to separate.

 

Can't say the color in any of the writing samples inspired me...

Expand  

It's alright dusky purple.

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:30 AM, LizEF said:

 

Hmm.  I think I like it better after the water has washed away the greyer part and left the red!

Expand  

It's the scan that denatured  the color.

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:30 AM, LizEF said:

 

Yep, still love those clippers!

Expand  

😊

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:30 AM, LizEF said:

 

Aaaw, poor little mousey.  Kitty's jacket is rendered quite interesting by the separation of the ink.

Expand  

That's the saving grace of this ink. It separates and creates multi chromatic shades. I wish they made wall paint like that 😀

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:30 AM, LizEF said:

And Modern Connection is all too real!

Expand  

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:30 AM, LizEF said:

Great review, Yazeh!  Glad you were able to find a good use for the ink.

Expand  

Thanks. It's fun when I can actually finish a sample.😊

[A Smug Dill]

Thanks for the excellent and in-depth review!

 

  On 4/2/2025 at 8:37 PM, yazeh said:

In Short: Novelty ink, effects are only seen with heavy applications and on some Japanese papers, otherwise you have a dusky purple with nice shading. 

Expand  

 

I don't have any Hosia inks (nor do I intend to buy any, but then… famous last words), otherwise I'd test it on various Chinese (of the CRENA brand) and Korean (Wearingeul) papers to test whether your statement is unduly narrow. 😉

 

 

[inkstainedruth]

@yazeh The color is definitely interesting.  And the fact that it remains at least to some effect on the page is a plus.  But I've lost my initial interest in shimmer inks, so it's likely going to be a hard pass for me.  

Thanks as usual for the comprehensive review, though.  

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[LizEF]

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:47 AM, yazeh said:

Wait until you see t'aime new IG inks @LizEF and I will soon review. They are considered scary 🫢😋

Expand  

Scary good!

 

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:53 AM, yazeh said:

gold fish attention span

Expand  

 

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:53 AM, yazeh said:

I wish they made wall paint like that 😀

Expand  

That would have been hugely popular in the '60s.  Not sure how I'd feel about a whole wall doing that...

 

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:53 AM, yazeh said:

It's fun when I can actually finish a sample.😊

Expand  

I've taken to inking a pen with a particular sample and (unless in the ink is hideous in the selected pen) finishing off the sample in that pen before moving on to another pen (I have 7 pens inked!! that's a lot for me).  But it is indeed really satisfying to finish off samples!  Especially given that I just have way too many!  With the Tintenlabor inks, my last review will now post on 14 December 2027 (141 weeks away!).  I try not to think about it... 🤪

[yazeh]

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:54 AM, A Smug Dill said:

Thanks for the excellent and in-depth review!

Expand  

Thanks! 

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:54 AM, A Smug Dill said:

I don't have any Hosia inks (nor do I intend to buy any, but then… famous last words),

Expand  

You're right. I mistook Kitty Inkpot for Hosia. I have one of those to review too

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:54 AM, A Smug Dill said:

otherwise I'd test it on various Chinese (of the CRENA brand) and Korean (Wearingeul) papers to test whether your statement is unduly narrow. 😉

Expand  

I wasn't aware of these papers. I tested it on the papers I usually use. I also tried them on several drawing papers. BUt I'll check CRENA and Wearingreul papers

[yazeh]

  On 4/3/2025 at 1:17 AM, inkstainedruth said:

@yazeh The color is definitely interesting.  And the fact that it remains at least to some effect on the page is a plus.  But I've lost my initial interest in shimmer inks, so it's likely going to be a hard pass for me.

Expand  

This is not a shimmer ink, but colour is "interesting" as you say  In French when we use the same word, it is a polite way of saying something good about something we don't like  

  On 4/3/2025 at 1:17 AM, inkstainedruth said:

Thanks as usual for the comprehensive review, though.  

Expand  

A pleasure!

[yazeh]

  On 4/3/2025 at 2:38 AM, LizEF said:

Scary good!

Expand  

 

  On 4/3/2025 at 2:38 AM, LizEF said:

That would have been hugely popular in the '60s.  Not sure how I'd feel about a whole wall doing that...

Expand  

Well t at one time the ombré technique was popular  

  On 4/3/2025 at 2:38 AM, LizEF said:

I've taken to inking a pen with a particular sample and (unless in the ink is hideous in the selected pen) finishing off the sample in that pen before moving on to another pen (I have 7 pens inked!! that's a lot for me).  But it is indeed really satisfying to finish off samples!  Especially given that I just have way too many!  With the Tintenlabor inks, my last review will now post on 14 December 2027 (141 weeks away!).  I try not to think about it... 🤪

Expand  

Wow, that's long time and far far away. At one point I wanted to pour all my remaining ink samples on a water colour paper and do a Rothko or Pollock style ink work  I still might do it. They are driving me crazy  

[LizEF]

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:00 PM, yazeh said:

Well t at one time the ombré technique was popular  

Expand  

Yeah, OK, I could see that one.  It's the mixed stripes vibe that I'm not sure of...

 

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:00 PM, yazeh said:

Wow, that's long time and far far away.

Expand  

Indeed.  Hence my efforts not to think about it.

 

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:00 PM, yazeh said:

At one point I wanted to pour all my remaining ink samples on a water colour paper and do a Rothko or Pollock style ink work  I still might do it. They are driving me crazy  

Expand  

Totally understand!  Mine are neatly arranged in racks and a box, so they're not hard to manage (nor to ignore until I need one), but I'm full up to my limit, hence the need to use them up!  Whatever you decide to do, I look forward to seeing the results...  (Might be interesting to put a very large canvas on the ground and dribble inks down from the balcony (or wherever). )

[yazeh]

  On 4/3/2025 at 4:03 PM, LizEF said:

Totally understand!  Mine are neatly arranged in racks and a box, so they're not hard to manage (nor to ignore until I need one), but I'm full up to my limit, hence the need to use them up!  Whatever you decide to do, I look forward to seeing the results...  (Might be interesting to put a very large canvas on the ground and dribble inks down from the balcony (or wherever). )

Expand  

I'm not neat, i have samples coming out of every corner, and unexpected places. It drives me & my wife nuts  

 

[LizEF]

  On 4/3/2025 at 9:23 PM, yazeh said:

I'm not neat, i have samples coming out of every corner, and unexpected places. It drives me & my wife nuts

Expand  

Perhaps Her Royal Highness will cart them off for you - or at least bat a few of them under the appliances.

[inkstainedruth]

  On 4/3/2025 at 11:55 AM, yazeh said:

This is not a shimmer ink, but colour is "interesting" as you say  

Expand  

So what I'm seeing in the close up images on the Iroful and TR68 paper is actually a kind of sheen?  In addition to the variations in color?  Hmmmmm -- fascinating.  But the slow dry times might still make this a no-go for me.

Ruth Morrisson aka instainedruth

[Sailor Kenshin]

The fantastic chroma looks like one of those Japanese waving cat figures.

I've got Kaweco Smokey Gray and JH Gris Nuage, but they probably have gray chromas. At least they're EZ cleaners.

 

@yazeh: Thanks for the review and the lively sketches! Never heard of this ink. It's a treat to see it in action.

[yazeh]

  On 4/3/2025 at 9:34 PM, LizEF said:

Perhaps Her Royal Highness will cart them off for you - or at least bat a few of them under the appliances.

Expand  

Her Royal Highness has another agenda: keep me warm, feed me, brush me, tummy rub, let me out, where & when  Ido my litter-box immediately after my royal departure 

[yazeh]

  On 4/3/2025 at 10:27 PM, inkstainedruth said:

So what I'm seeing in the close up images on the Iroful and TR68 paper is actually a kind of sheen?  In addition to the variations in color?  Hmmmmm -- fascinating.  But the slow dry times might still make this a no-go for me.

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Yes. It's what the call : Chromoshading or chromashading depending which site you visit. It's supposedly some sort of halo effect and chameleon ink effect. I  believe Sailor released also a series, and Van Dieman's (from Tasmania, Australia has a series of inks like that, which I have a few.  

[yazeh]

  On 4/3/2025 at 11:12 PM, Sailor Kenshin said:

The fantastic chroma looks like one of those Japanese waving cat figures.

Expand  

 

  On 4/3/2025 at 11:12 PM, Sailor Kenshin said:

 

@yazeh: Thanks for the review and the lively sketches! Never heard of this ink. It's a treat to see it in action.

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Thanks!

Kaweco has a more complex chroma than Gris Nuage. But they are not pure grey, like Lexington Gray when it comes to chroma

 

 

[Sailor Kenshin]

  On 4/3/2025 at 12:00 PM, yazeh said:

 

Well t at one time the ombré technique was popular  

Wow, that's long time and far far away. At one point I wanted to pour all my remaining ink samples on a water colour paper and do a Rothko or Pollock style ink work  I still might do it. They are driving me crazy  

Expand  

I do that all the time.  Not the Pollock thing, but decanting samples into a bottle.  So far, pretty good.