Exciting Alternative to Noodlers Bulletproof Ink

January 31, 2014 | 13 Comments


Today I had a crazy day in the Manly area – 3 coffees and not a sketch of any of them!?! Perhaps some of you think it is crazy to want to sketch every time I go into a coffee shop. I started the day having a quick coffee with an exciting local artist Fiona Verity that I meet last year at my Sketching Architecture workshop. I hope this will be the first of many catch-ups. She does wonderful work of birds and landscapes and beach scenes. Check out her site here http://fionaverity.com.au/

I then went to store of Larry Post who have lots and lots of amazing stuff… very tempting to walk in their doors… so we went to a coffee shop down the road before I had time to look at their stock too much. Check out their very cool website here

 
Anyway, my friend, local USker Chantal Vincent has been talking for months and months about the De Artamentis Ink that she uses in her Lamy – it was recommended to her by Larry Post. Today I got some of it and am testing it.

I know a LOT of people have issues with Noodlers Bulletproof. Personally, I never have a problem! I think the most important thing is to keep the ink flowing… and well, as anyone that visits my blog knows…my pen gets daily use!!! The ink in my pen is always flowing! Maybe once a year I do a sketch that the ink runs when I apply a watercolour… so it has served me well for many years.

The owners of Larry Post told me that Lamy does not recommend Noodlers but DO recommend the De Artamentis Ink. They didn’t have any of the document ink in stock but I got a bottle of the Archive Ink to try- and Chantal has lent me some of her document ink to try. I was told there is little difference between the two. I also got a bottle of the Lamy ink to try – someone told me that they found it good to use.

First test of the De Artamentis Ink was VERY PROMISING!… a very wet yellow wash was a good test. But I am going to use it for the next week or so and then do a full report.

Very loose work today – using my amazing new Da Vinci brushes I got in Penang but having some other things on my mind so not concentrating much … there are much more important things in life than ink and brushes.

Prov 27.1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

13 Comments

  • Liz Steel says:

    HI Issy- platinum is the other ink on my list to try. I know a lot of people like it but I did here that it can clog…so very interesting to hear that it works so well for you!

  • Hi Liz,

    Looking forward to hear all about this ink. Have you tried that Platinum Carbon Ink I told you about this summer? I don't sketch every day like you, and I keep it in 3 different pens (the sailor one, a shaeffer and a platinum one), but it really doesn't dry up like the Noodlers. Mostly, it doesn't bleed at all and it comes in cartridges and bottles. It has a bit of a China ink finish, without the stickiness.

    Issy xx

  • Hey Liz – I didn't know Larry had a store! Cool…or dangerous. Have heard a bit about the De Atramentis ink but haven't been able to find out if it is waterproof so looking forward to your comments. I am particularly interested in the browns – which are interesting colour names in the range – so if anyone else has tried these I'd love to hear feedback.

  • Liz Steel says:

    first day- VERY excited by the results… will post more. Yes I understand that they have lost of colours

  • Liz Steel says:

    7 bottles is a LOT of sketching!!! wow! will definitely keep you posted

  • Annee says:

    Will look forward to your ink review. Coincidentally I just found the De Atramentis ink on the Larry Post website last week. I had no idea about the store! I am looking for an ink recommendation for the new sketchers who have got interested in my Lamy pens and can't source the Noodlers bulletproof black ink. I've had no trouble with Noodlers and my husband bought 7 bottles from US for me. I will have to get cracking!

  • suzi poland says:

    Chantal + Larry Post put me onto the DeArtamentis Black Document ink when I bought my Lamy pen during your class last year. All going well dry or wet, although it has smudged on some papers, but that's more the paper than the ink. I am interested to know the difference between the Document and the Archival Ink especially for sketching. Hope all is ok on the "sad family news" front. Sending you best wishes.

  • Ruby says:

    Hi Liz, thanks for sharing about De Artamentis document inks. I have seen some reviews about the ink being very wet, and turning an ef into an f, for example. What's your experience?

  • Liz Steel says:

    I am not sure of the exact difference – very little on the usage side.

  • Liz Steel says:

    HI Newbie – I only requested the sepia and suggested a grey. Certainly didn't ask for fuchisa…but turquoise is fun. They do have a diluting solution… I am trying to get hold of some to test.

  • Newbie says:

    Hi Liz,
    I love this ink! It's incredible! I read somewhere that upon your request the company developed other colors like turquoise and Fuchsia. Is that true? If that's the case, can you also put in a request for grey?

  • Liz Steel says:

    H Ruby, sorry for the delay in replying. Yes I think it doesproduces a slightly thicker line because it flows more. Doesn't bother me. My nib is no longer EF anymore- with wear it opens up a little more and gives me a thicker line

  • Barkleigh2 says:

    Just found Larry post website, there are a few different colors of de atramentis ink available, around $23-24 each.

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