And that’s another Inktober done and dusted. This year I concentrated on using one ink (with bleach) for each day and tried – within reason – to stick to the official prompt while doing my best to maintain a visual continuity with both my chosen theme and art style. I also wanted to mix up the complexity of each image, so some I kept simple to show off the chromo effects of the inks and others more complex demonstrating how detailed you can go. I wanted to show off the versatility of fountain pen inks, working dark into light and light into dark.
I worked at 100mm x 100mm for each image with the aim of each one taking me no longer that 45 mins to create from start to finish. The overall theme was based around the recent BBC TV series, The North Water which is a See Saw Films production. And yes, I spent a lot of time in front of the screen getting my reference together!
Please note: if you want to reference each image with the ink, tools and paper used, the blocks of images shown are screen grabs from Instagram and so to follow the day sequence you will need to work in reverse ie start bottom right and then go right to left working upwards:
Crystal – Day 1 Ink: Diamine Earl Grey fountain pen ink, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Chalk Stripe notebook by Made For Ink.
Suit – Day 2 Ink: Robert Oster Australian Opal Mauve, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Vessel – Day 3 Ink: Parker Quink Black, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Knot – Day 4 Ink: Diamine Winter Miracle, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Tomoe River.
Raven – Day 5 Ink: Montegrappa Harry Potter Ravenclaw, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Seawhite Cartridge.
Spirit – Day 6 Ink: Troublemaker Petrichor. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Fan – Day 7 Ink: Diamine Teal. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Seawhite Cartridge.
Watch – Day 8 Ink: Diamine Writers Blood. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Seawhite Cartridge
Pressure – Day 9 Ink: Diplomat Black. Tools: Creaper pen, dip pen, rigger brush. Paper: Seawhite cartridge
Sour – Day 10 Ink: Robert Oster Eucalyptus. Tools: Creaper pen, dip pen, rigger brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Pick – Day 11 Ink: Diamine Purple Rain. Tools: Creaper pen, dip pen, rigger brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Stuck – Day 12 Ink: Diamine Kong Guys. Tools: Creaper pen, rigger brush. Paper: Seawhite Cartridge.
Roof – Day 13 Ink: Robert Oster Graphite. Tools: Creaper pen, dip pen, rigger brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Tick – Day 14 Ink: Robert Oster Marrone Mustard. Tools: Creaper pen, dip pen, rigger brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Helmet – Day 15 Ink: Diamine Manggis. Tools: Creaper pen, dip pen, rigger brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Compass – Day 16 Ink: Cult Pens Deep Dark Green, bleach. Tools: Creaper pen, dip pen, rigger brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Collide – Day 17 Ink: Cult Pens Matthew, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Moon – Day 18 Ink: Cult Pens Deep Dark Orange, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Loop – Day 19 .Ink: Nick Stewart Randall Blue/Black, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Sprout – Day 20 Ink: Troublemaker Abalone, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Fuzzy – Day 21 Ink: Diamine Nutcracker, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Seawhite Cartridge.
Open – Day 22 Ink: Robert Oster Barossa Grape, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Seawhite Cartridge.
Leak – Day 23 Ink: Nick Stewart Twilight Black, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Seawhite Cartridge.
Extinct – Day 24 Ink: Troublemaker Milky Ocean, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Splat – Day 25 Ink: Diamine Eclipse, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Connect – Day 26 Ink: Troublemaker Kelp Tea, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Spark – Day 27 Ink: Robert Oster Claret, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Seawhite Cartridge.
Crispy – Day 28 Ink: Robert Oster African Gold, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Seawhite Cartridge.
Patch – Day 29 Ink: Diamine Amazing Amethyst, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Slither – Day 30 Ink: Robert Oster Charcoal, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
Risk – Day 31 (the main image) Ink: Robert Oster Midnight Sapphire, bleach. Tools: Creaper Pen, Rigger Brush. Paper: Bockingford HP 140lb.
I have really really enjoyed this year’s challenge. I feel that all my objectives have been achieved and more. Probably the biggest thing I’ve realised, is that although colour is important, it’s the tonal information that needs to be accurate/considered. The colour can be whatever you choose. But undoubtedly the biggest pleasure has been from the 31 individual fountain pen inks, which when used for painting and illustration have proven to be simply astounding! And the inks used are not just one brand either, it’s a truly international selection. So you probably want to know which ones I’d highlight? Well, all of them are great but there are three that really have raised the bar and arguably stand apart from the others; Robert Oster Midnight Sapphire (Day 31), Troublemaker Petrichor (Day 6) and my own Nick Stewart Twilight Black (Day 23). I’m still in awe that all three images were created with just a single fountain pen ink and a little bleach. Show me any other medium that can do this!
So, to round this up, I hope that my images for Inktober 2021 help demonstrate how versatile and magical this medium and niche area of art can be. Fountain pen inks really are delightful – so much from so little! And last but not least, many thanks to all of you who have been following, liking and commenting on my posts on social media over the last 31 days. Your support is much appreciated. Please spread the word.
AND HEY! If you’re interested to know more about how to use fountain pen inks in more creative ways – whether it’s simply to observe their chromatic behaviours, or, to recreate one of my swatch cards, or, to learn how to use them in watercolour painting, illustration and calligraphy, why not check out my online course ?
FOUNTAIN PEN INK ART 