So its time for me to shop again but i need some advice before i fill up my cart! I am a beginner and have used Kuretake Sumi, Finetec, Pearlex Brilliant Gold, W&N Opera Rose Gouache and Daniel Smith Walnut Ink as of now. I want to try a few more inks and gouaches and need recommendations for the same -
1. I've heard a lot about McCaffery's for fine hair lines and that they eat the nibs within 2-3 hours. If that's the case, is it worth buying considering i buy nibs every 2 months as the shipping costs are high and that too just as many as would suffice for that period.
2. Are walnut ink crystals better than the ready ink? As i mentioned earlier, I've been using the Daniel Smith one but i always end up putting it away after a few tries because its extremely runny and pools on the paper. Also how do i know what consistency of walnut ink is good to write with?
3. Other then Winsor and Newton, what gouaches can i try? Do they all need gum arabic as an additive?
4. Do all Pearlex pigments have the same kind of sheen? I want to try some more but not sure which ones to buy. Any recommendations/feedbacks?
5. Is yasutomo or moon palace better than kuretake sumi? Do they all corrode nibs at the same pace?
6. How is Dr. Martin's Iridescent Ink different from other shiny inks?
Other than the inks i also want to know -
7. What tools can i use to fix errors on envelopes? I participated in my first ever FF exchange and made one mistake which i've tried covering but not as neatly. Besides an exacto, what else do i need? What good is a sand eraser?
8. What nibs work well on 200 GSM or above watercolour paper? I have only used the G nibs for a while before switching to Hunt 101 which i loved so much that i haven't tried anything else. For once i tried using Leonardt Principal but it kept snapping and scratching the paper. But will definitely try it again. Any other nib recommendations, though i know its a personal preference and totally based on trials but is there something that's a must try?
9. How good is an ames lettering guide?
Yeah well, i have a lot of questions but then I'm just waiting for the day when it will all be available here in India and i would just go and pick up stuff to try!! Fingers crossed!