Flourish Forum
Tutorials => General How To's & Projects => Topic started by: penstaff on July 07, 2014, 06:11:37 PM
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CURIOUS! Everyone has their own method of dipping their nib into ink, but what kind of container do you use? Some like to dip directly into the bottle of ink (allowing rapid evaporation), others like different methods - personally I used to use the small plastic cap protecting the plunger of the insulin syringe. It holds enough for ample writing time, and when finished you can pour the remaining ink back into the bottle. Of course you should use the insulin syringe to suck up enough ink to transfer it into the "dip cup". Be sure if you use this method that you glue the "dip cup" onto your work area so that it will not spill. This method may not work as well for you as it did me, but I liked it so much that I used it for years. The offset holder does not come into contact with the dip cup-only the nib.If you want a different type of cup there is also the glass or plastic candle holder, which carries more ink, but also has to be anchored (glued) down on your work area. I used this type when doing the "Declaration of Independence" as it was rather lengthy.
Any comments on your method of "dipping"?
penstaff
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I'm a fan of the Dinky Dips (http://www.paperinkarts.com/dinkyd.html) :)
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Ah! I've spilled my ink two or three times already :)
Your syringe method is interesting! As for me i just use small make-up/bead containers as a mini decanter for my inks :)
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i found some great small italian jam jars that are wide mouth, short, and the base is just as wide as the mouth...did i just describe George Costanza?
anyhoo, they are glass for easy clean up, copper lid is very pretty, and they won't tip over because of their width. i love them!
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i found some great small italian jam jars that are wide mouth, short, and the base is just as wide as the mouth...did i just describe George Costanza?
anyhoo, they are glass for easy clean up, copper lid is very pretty, and they won't tip over because of their width. i love them!
Funny! 😜😜😜
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Dinky dips for me.
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i found some great small italian jam jars that are wide mouth, short, and the base is just as wide as the mouth...did i just describe George Costanza?
hahahah joi! you crack me up!
I use dinky dips, or, some widemouth bottles that one of the local guild members sells, with fancy wooden lids and wooden stands - very awesome. I will post a pic on IG at some stage of them.
For gouache and random mixed-up media I buy these little plastic cups for $2-for-10 every so often ... they have lids, so I can seal them when I'm done, but they're little enough to be disposable if I stain them irreparably (or use masking fluid or something!)
And I have some little Dappen Dishes (I think that's what they're called??) - those are cool.
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I use old gel eye liner containers
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3848/14414478387_b625a82e39_m.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nXKYer)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/nXKYer) by tewshortforu (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr
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I use like 7-8 sample cosmetic containers. I like to mix watercolours in small quantities in various colours and keeping them stored (despite them not giving fine lines, I think they are less acidic than permanent ink.. (I don't own walnut ink yet, but I'm keen to get that to try). They have round, fat bases, so I've not spilled anything yet. Also, it's impossible to overdip because the depth isn't usually higher than the length of the nib anyways. I keep the sample small to keep the ink fresh. I prefer applying with a brush for better lines though.
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I use the McCaffreys inkwell or a vintage brass inkwell for my often used walnut ink.
But for inks I have to mix like gouache, I use little manicure glass dappen dishes with cute little lids: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=glass+dappen+dish&_frs=1
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I use the McCaffreys inkwell or a vintage brass inkwell for my often used walnut ink.
But for inks I have to mix like gouache, I use little manicure glass dappen dishes with cute little lids: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=glass+dappen+dish&_frs=1
Sometimes I hate not being in the US. A dappen dish on ebay sg costs something like $1.25 + 15SGD shipping.
And this is insane.
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i glued an old marker cap onto a small board. in germany we have edding as a perfect brand, but i guess magic-marker in the states have similar end-caps?!
with a pipette i get the ink into the diy-dip-cup and the unused ink back into the flacon.
this way i don´t waste any ink or loose it by accidentially pushing over the flacon ;)
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Sometimes I hate not being in the US. A dappen dish on ebay sg costs something like $1.25 + 15SGD shipping.
And this is insane.
:o :o :o
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I use the McCaffreys inkwell or a vintage brass inkwell for my often used walnut ink.
But for inks I have to mix like gouache, I use little manicure glass dappen dishes with cute little lids: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=glass+dappen+dish&_frs=1
Sometimes I hate not being in the US. A dappen dish on ebay sg costs something like $1.25 + 15SGD shipping.
And this is insane.
Felicia, i haven't tried looking...but maybe they have these kinds of dappen dish/inkwell at old mom&pop stores? Or maybe somewhere among the stores in bugis (arab st)? I figured they have some stores that sell stuff like this.
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The syringe has got me thinking. Has anyone tried sucking the ink into the syringe, and then added it by drop to the nib? Afterwards, the syringe could be emptied back into the bottle.
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I do something similar with plastic pipettes – they hold about 3 ml of ink, I keep small quantities of metallic inks in them and load the nib drop by drop. I find shaking less of a hassle because I just put the finger on the pipette instead of having to close the ink jar every time the ink needs shaking.
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Faeleia: That's ridiculous. I am sure your local manicure shop has them and is willing to sell. Or go to those wholesale beauty shops, they should have some.
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Dentists use dappen dishes as well. Call Dr. Joe!
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i found some great small italian jam jars that are wide mouth, short, and the base is just as wide as the mouth...did i just describe George Costanza?
anyhoo, they are glass for easy clean up, copper lid is very pretty, and they won't tip over because of their width. i love them!
Italians make the best stuff. Hehe
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Reply to Ellen -the syringe is difficult to loosen just a drop or two onto a nib or reservoir - you be wise not to do this as you might find yourself cleaning up an ink spot
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I have done this before. Too much of a hassle just easier to dip. I would still have to shake the excess off the nib into the ink jar because it would puddle up on the nib. Works better for broad edge nibs with reservoirs.
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Faeleia: That's ridiculous. I am sure your local manicure shop has them and is willing to sell. Or go to those wholesale beauty shops, they should have some.
Are dappen dishes used by manicure shops? Didn't know that. Will go scour some shops and see what i come up with.
Yeah, shipping to Singapore is costly.
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I also didn't know that — I had never seen them before and thought maybe they are used as a table dish for spices or such :D!
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reply to Ellen - good idea, but the syring is difficult to expel one drop at a time. Careful you don't get ink all over yourself and everything else.
Harvey
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i found some great small italian jam jars that are wide mouth, short, and the base is just as wide as the mouth...did i just describe George Costanza?
anyhoo, they are glass for easy clean up, copper lid is very pretty, and they won't tip over because of their width. i love them!
Oooh, I think I have a stash of them somewhere I was saving for another project. Never thought of using them for this!
THANK YOU for the suggestion!
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The syringe has got me thinking. Has anyone tried sucking the ink into the syringe, and then added it by drop to the nib? Afterwards, the syringe could be emptied back into the bottle.
When I use the Hydrus Watercolors, I just use the dropper that comes in the bottle to put ink on the nib. Nalgene no-drip bottles will dispense one drop at a time without spilling. You can find them here:
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/travel/bottlesMedication?productId=10000248 (http://www.containerstore.com/shop/travel/bottlesMedication?productId=10000248)
I think John Neal sells them now too, but I actually got mine at the local art store.
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I recently learned that dappen dishes are used in nail salons for holding something or another. Perhaps they are available locally at beauty supply stores.
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While waiting for my dinky dips order, i had to make use of our shot glasses at home, small enough to carry ink and wide enough so the oblique pen can fit ;)
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Sorry to revive an old thread, but I have found something that is a bit novel, and I like it a lot!
I use brass plumbing fittings, end caps. They are just the right shape and depth to use for an inkwell, and are pleasingly heavy. I use the male cap as the ink holder, and the female cap as the cap. 1/2" and 3/4" caps fall into a reasonable price range for me. On my main inkwell, I soldered the male end to a chunk of copper to make it harder to tip and to provide a better grip when opening.
I cut out some circles from an old silicone cake pan to use as gaskets on the caps, this prevents leaks and gives a soft but firm close.
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Nice and heavy and cheap. A good combo. My only concern would be with IG or other acidic inks reacting with the brass or copper. Not sure if it would be a problem or not.
When I use a straight holder, I like to use 2 oz Nalgene bottles. I can screw them on tightly and carry them around safely, but can also see how much is in there and they don't react with the ink.
For use with an oblique holder, I've become a big fan of Dinky Dips in the wooden base. I've also used a shot glass for an emergency ink well and it worked great. I would imagine old baby food jars, the short, fat ones, would also work well if you have a lot of ink.
I'll take a look at the plumbing section of the hardware store now. They also have the end caps for plastic pipes that might work, but you'd have to improvise a cap.
And another hint, if you're looking to adhere one material (like a glass jar) to a heavier base of another material, since you can't weld glass or wood, I've become a big fan of Sugru. You can do amazing stuff with this moldable, sculptable silicon "glue." https://sugru.com/ (https://sugru.com/) Ever since they started selling it in Target (large chain store in the US), I always have some around and use it for a million uses. Most recently I took a section of an old glass stir rod, and molded a small bulb at the end containing a tiny rare-earth magnet using sugru. I use this to retrieve steel nibs that have fallen into my ink bottle. It's only happened a couple of times, but it's a real pain when it does.
I've also used Sugru to creat a new "seal" for the inside of the cap of an old Sheaffer ink bottle, the one with the built-in filling "shelf." Which, by the way, is also a great bottle to use for dip pens. The built-in shelf works quite well for even oblique holders. If you can find one of those they work well. Unfortunately, they haven't made those bottles since about the '80's. But they were made from the 30's, so there are still quite a few around.
No connection to Sugru, just a huge fan.
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And another hint, if you're looking to adhere one material (like a glass jar) to a heavier base of another material, since you can't weld glass or wood, I've become a big fan of Sugru. You can do amazing stuff with this moldable, sculptable silicon "glue." https://sugru.com/ (https://sugru.com/)
Thanks for sharing that, I've never heard of this thing before. Target stores have closed down in Canada but I will hunt this Sugru down, it sounds awesome! Duct tape's little cousin :D
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Jeremy_S, that is GENIUS! Off to Home depot I go!
And Sugru sounds amazing!!! I wonder if it can be used to make an ergonomic oblique holder? ;D Let's try it!
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Jeremy_S, that is GENIUS! Off to Home depot I go!
And Sugru sounds amazing!!! I wonder if it can be used to make an ergonomic oblique holder? ;D Let's try it!
It is perfect for making an uncomfortable holder into an ergonomic one. It comes out of the packet the consistency of a dry-ish clay and you mold it then let it set. It cures into a hard, silicon rubber that is cold and heat proof, and sticks pretty much anything to anything else. Check out the web site and there are a gazillion cool hacks that people have done with it.
You can even texture it and mix colors.
I would try it on an experimental holder first, until you get the hang of how to handle it, but all you arty people on here should have no trouble doing some cool things with it.
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Yikes.. it's expensive and we don't get very much! I might have to reconsider now.. lol
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I'd have thought that polymer clay has a lot of potential for ergonomic pens ... if you can put up with the weight.
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(https://40.media.tumblr.com/eea13b7ed371b5b10bfd4ccad014da51/tumblr_nt6lkwAxnC1swviafo1_540.jpg)
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The syringe has got me thinking. Has anyone tried sucking the ink into the syringe, and then added it by drop to the nib? Afterwards, the syringe could be emptied back into the bottle.
Not a syringe, but something similar. I use it a lot when I am travelling or working away from my normal place. I use plastic eye dropper bottles of 5ml and 10 ml. Great for airtight storage and drop by drop delivery.
(https://theflourishforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVM9bc5j.jpg&hash=cd65fd7127d81b0bd3b6ddd900990a72)
(https://theflourishforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FxnEBHh4.jpg&hash=7c8f059117fb0d226d745dbfce5352f3)
-Prasad
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Take this with you when you're on the go.
In a restaurant? Make sure to let the waiter know to let the ink dry before he puts the signed credit card receipt in the drawer.
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Fancy!
I just use boring old plastic bottles as you can see in my contribution to the workstations thread. http://theflourishforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=169.msg52264#msg52264 (http://theflourishforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=169.msg52264#msg52264)
Love the olde traveling inkwells. Sounds like an idea of a new thread.