De Atramentis — Artist Sepia — Ink Review #44

De Atramentis — Artist Sepia

 

Ink Review # 44

 

Originally posted on FPN: Feb 4, 2023

 

Ink: Artist Sepia
Series: Artist
Type: Pigment ink
Brand: De Atramentis
Country: Germany
Availability: 50 ml bottles
Pens Used: Pilot Kakuno (EF, M, stub), Lamy Safari (F, M, B), Kanwrite ultra-flex (wet), Jinhao 450 fude (wet)

Description

This ink belongs to the Artist series and is slightly less lightfast than the Document series.

In a nutshell: I would recommend this ink only to those who use either B nibs or wet, soft F and M nibs, preferably on excellent, smooth paper. For those who don't use these options, mindfulness is obligatory. 😇

Longwinded version:

This is a high-maintenance ink in a nonconventional way: It demands the right nib, paper combination!

The Pilot Kakuno EF wrote with a smoothness of fingernails on a chalkboard. The perfect self-torture implement. The stub was like writing with a blunt knife.

With the Lamy Safari F and M nibs the lines were nice and juicy, but I recoiled each time I reached for the pen. It felt like someone had mixed sand in the ink. It’s a good option for those who have a serious pen and ink addiction. You will be pen-sober in no time. 😄

However, writing with a Pilot M, Safari B and Kanwrite Desire was surprisingly enjoyable. And the Jinhao fude nib was acceptable.

So be forewarned.

Note on pigment inks: Pigmented fountain pen inks are best used in well-sealed pens that are easy to dismantle. Regular cleaning is advisable, and pen flush may be needed if water alone is not enough.

Chroma

 

Writing Samples

Rhodia

Midori

Tomoe River 68 gsm

Note: Tomoe River used here is 68 gsm, not the thinner 52 gsm version commonly referenced in reviews.

Cheap/ absorbent paper

Back

Photo

Tomoe River 68 gsm

Close-up:

Comparison

Water Test

A bit of excess ink is removed, but other than that, respectable.

Artwork

Inktober52, 2023. This sketch was done with the EF nib. Surprisingly, the experience was acceptable. The left-to-right motion worked fine.

Ink Characteristics

·      What I liked: Writing with the Lamy Safari B and Kakuno M and sketching.
·      What I didn’t like: Writing with the Kakuno EF and stub, and the Lamy Safari F and M. It needs a wet pen and a smooth nib.
·      Shading: From M to B.
·      Ghosting: Yes, on cheap paper.
·      Bleed through: Same as above.
·      Flow Rate: Good.
·      Lubrication: Below average. 
·      Nib Dry-out: Not noticed.
·      Start-up: No problem.
·      Saturation: Dark.
·      Shading Potential: Bleak.
·      Sheen: Nonexistent.
·      Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: Not noticed.
·      Nib Creep / “Crud”: No.
·      Staining (pen): No.
·      Clogging: No.
·      Cleaning: Easy. Though it might stain transparent sections.
·      Water resistance: Excellent.

 

Feel free to share your experience, feedback, or any other comments. The more the merrier. 😊

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