The above photo was taken in direct sunlight. Ink is swatched on Clairefontaine 90gsm paper, using a glass dip pen.
Specs
Name: Blue-Ringed Octopus
Maker: Van Dieman’s
Color Family: Blue
Properties: Sheening
Purchased at: Vanness
What’s in a name?
Part of Van Dieman’s Underwater series, celebrating the vibrant aquatic life around Tasmania, this one is inspired by and named after the most venomous creature in the world, living in the rock pools and shallow waters of Tasmania, and smaller than your hand. Usually a well hidden light brown, it shows off distinct bright blue rings all over its body when threatened. These rings are so bright that they are almost luminescent and often have red around the edges.
Swatches
A large swatch of ink showcases the darkest this ink gets, as well as the maximum properties it has (when held at the right angle to show any shimmer or sheen). But what about when you’re writing a letter or notes with it?
The above was written on Tomoe River 68gsm paper, using a Conklin Duragraph fountain pen with a Stub nib.
Of course, for maximum effect you want to see it in light and in motion. The following video shows the ink swatched on Skylab Letterpress 160gsm cards.
Thoughts
There are a hundred mid-tone blue inks that sheen red or pink now. Every maker has one, and they all perform just about exactly the same, so far as I can tell. In fact, they might all be the same formulation- who knows? Anyway, this one has a wet flow and a good amount of sheen. Like all sheeners, it takes awhile to dry and may still smudge if touched (even weeks and months later), so use with caution. For that reason, I wouldn’t use this ink at work, or taking notes in class, or anything you may be touching repeatedly. But it works fine in letters and journaling.
*All pics and vid were taken using a Google Pixel 4a and a Samsung Galaxy S22 and color-adjusted to best reflect the hue of that ink.
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