Ink from Pigment / (I am wondering how to make it more flexible)

[Christo]

Hello again! I was in an art shop yesterday and decided to buy some ultracheap titanium white pigment (powdered) to try as ink - I mixed a small amount with water & a few drops of gum arabic & it wrote surprisingly well (opaque & nice hairlines!) however when dry, it cracks / peels on the thicker parts when bending the paper...  gives a great vintage look though  



Would anyone have any tried & tested method on how to make the ink more flexible /less brittle ? I have read about linseed oil (as used in oil paints) - Just wondering if anyone has tried this or other oils or have any other suggestions!

Thanks in advance

(Yeah, I should probably just buy one of those recommended inks that everyone else uses, but I have fun with the experimenting) (& then asking others for help)

[Milonguera]

Hi Christo.  I have no idea if oil would help, but one thing I DO know is that oils tend to cause problems, both with nibs, some nibs more than others, and on paper -- have you ever rested your hand on paper while writing above it, only to get down to where your hand was resting and not be able to deposit ink there very well?   I don't know the answer but I suspect oil isn't it. 

Debbie

[schin]

Hey I kinda like how that looks!
I guess it's cracking because as a cheaper paint, it's simply not pigmented enough.

[Christo]

Thanks for your replies -

I kind of like how it looks too.. but in the event i use it on an envelope, I'm worried it will have come off by the time it reaches 
I'm thinking (hoping) I could add something else to keep it together / bind to the paper & itself... glue, more gum arabic or something else - or perhaps a sealant afterwards?

[schin]

You could put the envelope in a plastic sleeve and mail it that way.. that'll protect the lettering!