erasing smearing bleedproof white

[claire lander]

Hi All

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere...

I am new to bleedproof white, and recently used twice on two different envelopes over a few days, the first attempt I was able to erase my guidelines fine, the second smeared horribly. I wonder whether it was a drying issue - the first envelope had been left for days, the second just overnight(!). It did occur to me to wonder however whether there is any issue erasing/smearing when the bleedproof white is diluted more? Because I think my second attempt was possibly more dilute.

Thank you all in advance for any help.

Best wishes

Claire (waves_and_grace)

[claire lander]

p.s. I did wonder too whether the mysterious gum ammoniac might be the answer (I have never used this :-)). But I use the bleedproof white straight from the jar, so would I need to get some out to mix it in to?? Ha, sorry for the noob bafflement...

[Bianca M]

Hi Claire.  I use gum arabic with it, which is what you probably meant (vs. ammoniac), specifically to avoid smudging - especially in the mail. This will definitely help with your erasing troubles.

[claire lander]

Thanks Bianca, that is undoubtedly what I meant! :-), will give it a go...

Best, Claire

[Bianca M]

Oh, and I forgot to respond to your other question.  I do decant it into a smaller 1/2 oz jar and add the gum arabic to that.  I typically find that 5-6 drops of it really does the trick.  I prefer to decant 1) I don't like to add anything to the whole jar- I feel like I'm contaminating it, but that's the OCD coming out 2) I knock things over a lot.  And the less in the jar to knock over, the better 3) I like to minimize the dried up cruddies that hang around the top and fall into the jar when knocked loose 4) the biggest reason: I prefer to have a whole container of the right consistency vs. having to go and add water as I work through it.  Do I sound uptight? 

[claire lander]

Ah, thanks Bianca :-)

Lol, well no I think of uptight as being a positive!! (I am too), and thanks for the postscript! was mulling over what on earth to do next, v helpful to have step by steps ;-)

Claire

[reneewrites]

hey, thanks for sharing this! i'm new to white ink as well and am purchasing the Dr PH Martin's Bleedproof White so wasn't sure what to expect! i've always preferred to sketch out my calligraphy first with a pencil before writing over it with the ink.. so i would usually wait for it to dry after a few hours and rub off the pencil markings (this was fine with SUMI ink). kinda nervous now for the bleedproof white, if i would be smudging it alot with the method i've always been using.

[AndyT]

Slightly off topic and distinctly unhelpful, but I've never had any smearing trouble with white gouache ...

[claire lander]

Ha, thanks Andy, not at all, I have yet to brave gouache but good to know...

[Scarlet Blue]

Mine is usually okay if I leave it overnight, It has been very humid lately.... I guess if you're using a thin consistency then the gum arabic would probably help.

[Simone Lettering]

Oh, and I forgot to respond to your other question.  I do decant it into a smaller 1/2 oz jar and add the gum arabic to that.  I typically find that 5-6 drops of it really does the trick.  I prefer to decant 1) I don't like to add anything to the whole jar- I feel like I'm contaminating it, but that's the OCD coming out 2) I knock things over a lot.  And the less in the jar to knock over, the better 3) I like to minimize the dried up cruddies that hang around the top and fall into the jar when knocked loose 4) the biggest reason: I prefer to have a whole container of the right consistency vs. having to go and add water as I work through it.  Do I sound uptight? 

Hi Bianca,
I am new on the forum and was reading your advices on developing OCD here 
Just kidding, I think these tips are great! I do have on more question: do you only add gum arabic or do you also dilute the Bleed Proof White with water?

Regards,
Simone

[Bianca M]

HA!  Excellent. I have lots of tips on OCD development.

Yes, water needs to be added to the BPW as well.

[Simone Lettering]

HA!  Excellent. I have lots of tips on OCD development.

Yes, water needs to be added to the BPW as well.

Thanks Bianca! Until now I only dilluted the BPW with water, but I will add some arabic gum too as you suggested 

Have a nice day!

[Simone Lettering]

I just added some more water and a few drops of gum arabic to a little jar of BPW, and it certainly gives a better flow 
I just made this piece with the ink and am quite happy how it turned out!

[JanisTX]

I really like Doc Martin's BPW, but I'm with @AndyT .  I find white gouache to be easier to use and more durable on envelopes that are going to be mailed!  And, I think it's often cheaper!

Janis