My First Iroshizuku bottle

[penwash]

I have always liked the elegant Pilot Iroshizuku bottle. But for some reasons, I am not quite captured by many of their colors, so I held back.

Since the beginning of this year, I've been in a hunt for A Few Good Grey (inks) for my sketches. The straw that broke the camel's back was when I stood in front of Vanness Pens table at the Dallas Pen Show last Saturday. I mean, how can you not buy ink in that situation??

I had two candidates: Robert Oster Opal Grey or Iroshizuku Kiri-same. Guess which one wins?

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51535199541_65e28c3baf_c.jpg

For the first run with this ink, I chose this black Sheaffer Craftsman with sharp and crisp Fine (maybe XF on some papers) and just like what I expected, my sketch looks a bit airy and light, which is different, but I like it.

Next is to do washes with this ink.

Tinta: Iroshizuku Kiri-same (Autumn Mist).

[penwash]

An attractive image.

You have a lot more experience of using a fountain pen for sketching than I, perhaps you can advise me. is it ever done that you use a lighter grey for more distant objects and/or perhaps a broader nib for the foreground to increase the depth of the image?

I've used washes to render background objects, that way I can reduce the details but still get the sense of their presence.

For foreground objects, I usually just add more details and define my light values more.

This particular sketch presents an interesting challenge because both the front and the background "layers" need details for the viewers to enjoy. :)

[Chrissy]

Excellent Will. It's produced an almost antique look. :)

[Jon Szanto]

I feel a classic mashup of “Like a Virgin” and “Heart of Glass” is in order.

[penwash]

I feel a classic mashup of “Like a Virgin” and “Heart of Glass” is in order.

More like between "I can't believe it's not butter" and "Hoedown" :D

[Linger]

I feel a classic mashup of “Like a Virgin” and “Heart of Glass” is in order.

Slightly off topic, but Jon, have you heard/seen Miley Cyrus’ version of Heart of Glass? I am not very impressed by her regular poppy work, but this one blew me away. Singing on the verge of screaming, and getting away with it. Very cool. Interesting outfit too…

https://youtu.be/NbdRLyixJpc

[Jon Szanto]

Slightly off topic...

I'll be brief: yep, that's a very committed performance, and certainly more straight-forward than I expect of her. It seems over-sold (over-sung) but I have to keep in mind that I was in my mid-20's when Debbie Harry sang the original, and I am likely warped for life by that rendition. First hearings of a song - or a symphony, for that matter - can cement a particular interpretation, for good or ill.

Thanks, I wouldn't likely have seen it otherwise.

[joolstacho]

Good choice, that dark grey is superb, lovely. I must get my AIG and get drawing!
In my Graphic Design work I would often specify a dark grey instead of a black to detract that, well, black intensity, and give a much more tasteful feeling, and dark greys match other colours beautifully.

[penwash]

Good choice, that dark grey is superb, lovely. I must get my AIG and get drawing!
In my Graphic Design work I would often specify a dark grey instead of a black to detract that, well, black intensity, and give a much more tasteful feeling, and dark greys match other colours beautifully.

Absolutely agree with you on the important role that grey ink can play.

What's AIG?

[Jon Szanto]

Absolutely agree with you on the important role that grey ink can play.

FWIW, a couple of years ago I feel in love with DeAtramentis Fog Grey. I've got two pens inked up with is at all times, really lovely to write with.

[grainweevil]

What's AIG?

Donkey* In Gear, I would imagine.

*So to speak... ;)

[penwash]

Absolutely agree with you on the important role that grey ink can play.

FWIW, a couple of years ago I feel in love with DeAtramentis Fog Grey. I've got two pens inked up with is at all times, really lovely to write with.

Not that I should be surprised, but the choices between good grey inks are quite bewildering.

If I were a non-FP person, I would scratch my head at the idea of a "grey ink". :D

[david-p]

Congratulations, Will! A lovely drawing. I cant begin to do anything like that.

I am also drawn to the Iroshizuku inks for writing. Unlike many other manufacturers, the titles really fit the colours, which, moreover, I find to be very pure.

[Jon Szanto]

If I were a non-FP person, I would scratch my head at the idea of a "grey ink". :D

No kidding. It's like, "Can't you just dilute some black?"

[joolstacho]

Good choice, that dark grey is superb, lovely. I must get my AIG and get drawing!
In my Graphic Design work I would often specify a dark grey instead of a black to detract that, well, black intensity, and give a much more tasteful feeling, and dark greys match other colours beautifully.

Absolutely agree with you on the important role that grey ink can play.

What's AIG?

Arse Into Gear :clap2:

[DrPenfection]

Excellent composition. I have all of the Pilot Iroshizuku inks and love them all. Kiri-same is something special, though.

I have been playing around with watercolor and ink mainly using Platinum Carbon Black because it is waterproof. But my "single ink" sketches are not anything to "write home about".

[penwash]

Excellent composition. I have all of the Pilot Iroshizuku inks and love them all. Kiri-same is something special, though.

I have been playing around with watercolor and ink mainly using Platinum Carbon Black because it is waterproof. But my "single ink" sketches are not anything to "write home about".

Among the painting media, watercolor will always be my favorite.
But for my sketches, at least at the moment, I'm having so much fun using the inks for washes because they are a lot simpler to setup, and the result can be pleasantly surprising due to the different shading properties

[PenInvestigations]

This is really incredible! - and inspiring. October has slipped me by, but I just dug up my sketchbook for Inktober a few years back. Now I feel like sketching again :)