Introducing Kopi O Kaw. A Diamine coffee fragrant extreme sheen exclusive for Pen Gallery.
Kopi O Kaw is a deep brown sheening ink and the third Diamine exclusive from Pen Gallery. The ink bleeds out browns and salmon pinks with a feint hint of turquoise at the outer edges when blended with water. A strong green metallic sheen is also in evidence from the outset. When taken straight from the bottle onto cartridge paper that green sheen is even more pronounced.
I added a few drops of bleach to two the abstract calligraphy pieces and you can see some lovely rich reds and gold too. But what is unique about this particular exclusive is it’s smell. Kopi O Kaw is named after Pen Gallery’s favourite coffee and the fragrance is allegedly a perfect match for the aroma – there’s a clue on the box packaging. It’s actually a very pleasant smell and if you want to experience it, you know what you’ve got to do.
When dry, the concentrated areas dry a metallic green. Depending on your paper surface the ink writes as a very deep dark brown with hints of metallic green sheen in evidence. This ink isn’t too dissimilar in colour and behaviour to Lion Rock – another far eastern sheen Diamine exclusive.
As mentioned, this is Pen Gallery’s third monster sheening ink and is a good fit with the other two colours Manggis and Jalur Gemilang. Available exclusively from Pen Gallery in Malaysia click here if you want some.
Tests conducted on Bockingford 200lb rough, Seawhite Cartridge Paper and Tamoe River papers using a Noodler’s Creeper pen and an automatic pen.
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 or, even better, sign up for a workshop?
FOUNTAIN PEN INK ART 