Something Old and New
I bought a leather-bound journal with lovely cream-colored laid paper with deckled edges while in Italy. It’s not suited to watercolors, but it’s good for ink sketches, which I’ve been eager to do more of using sepia ink. Brown inks, including sepia (originally derived from cuttlefish), bistre (made from the residue found in chimney stacks), and iron gall (made from the tannins in oak galls and iron), were frequently used for drawing and light washes during the Renaissance (think Leonardo Da Vinci or Rembrandt drawings). I love the way that brown inks can give a drawing a softer effect and historical tone compared with using black.
I sketched the bitternut leaves and hummingbird nests with a dip pen and Winsor & Newton drawing ink and did the olive leaves with a Micron 005 sepia pen. As you can see, I’ve also tested the ink using a brush and was pleased that the paper didn’t buckle at all. I’m eager to keep going and try some lighter washes and more complex subjects.
Drawn In 
Oh! I love the butternut leaves. The nests and olives came out very nicely too. I enjoy using walnut brown, sepia and an olive green ink also. It gives another dynamic to our drawings.
I’ve never tried walnut ink, but I’m sure it’s nice, too. I tend to smudge ink if I’m working in my journal, so I’m taking some extra care with this journal to keep my hand from swiping into the drawing. There are so many lovely ink choices.
Hi Carole! Loved your comments on Jean’s post. I’m curious what your source for inks is; especially the olive green! If you have a moment, would appreciate a reply, and any feedback on the ink(s) also! Thanks so very much!
Hello Barb. Inks I enjoy are from Rorher & Klinger from Jackson’Art, UK. The olive green I refer to is Emma. Prices are good too.
Hi Jean, I love the brown ink on the cream paper. I used to print etchings with brown ink on cream paper for a similar effect. FYI, I now use light watercolour washes, water soluble pencils and and water soluble pens in my regular sketchbook quite often. As long as there’s not much water, they work just fine! Peri
It’s hard for me not to pick up a brush, so I suspect I’ll be trying some dryer wash techniques soon. Good to know what’s working for you.
Jean, these are wonderful. The combo of cream paper and warm coloured ink is so well suited to your drawings. Can’t wait to see more.
It’s a different type of drawing for me…slower and more deliberate. But I want to try the ink with a rigger, too, for looser lines. It’s all fun.
I love how the shadows make these images pop. I took pens and pencils to the lake this weekend but have spent more time just watching the lake. 🙂
That’s worth doing, too! Enjoy!
those are beautiful and the warm brown and cream paper are so soft and match so well! Hope to see more!
I’m enjoying it, Georgia! It would be nice to fill the entire sketchbook.
wow, Jean! The bitternut drawing is so wonderful. ….. your fine lines perfectly rendered and I agree with previous comments;,the walnut ink on cream is stunning. Can’t say enough about your shadowing. The leaf seems to dance in the page! Also love the olives and leaves, side-by-side with the wonderful Hummer nests!
what a treat to have an Italian crafted journal. And you must be relieved the pages won’t buckle, even with a light wash. I’m inspired to give a beautiful leather-bound, linen paged journal received as a gift from a dear friend. Just the post I’ve been craving. But inks? Do you have a favorite dip pen? Also, what,is your source for walnut ink, and any other ink colors? Thanks always!
Hi Barb- I’m testing every drawing nib I have on these preliminary drawings. Most are D. Leonardt & Co or Speedball nibs, but some are so old that I don’t know what they are. I haven’t tried walnut ink yet, just Windsor & Newton. I also have some inks from the Birmingham Pen Co but I haven’t tried them yet on this paper. Crack open your journal and get going!
Thanks tremendously for sharing, Jean. I’ve made not of all your known pens and the Windsor & Newton ink. (Could’ve sworn somewhere you mentioned using walnut ink). Other than some very old calligraphy ink and nibs, I’ll need to get some supplies and then will muster courage to open that fancy journal of mine.
‘And to Carole ….. since I’m not able to post her another reply, please let her know I’m very appreciative of her reply regarding supplies too (which,I also noted).
Have an awesomely creative week!
These are beautifully rendered Jean. Sepia is a lovely ink to draw with. I
would love to see a photo of your new sketcbook as well.
Thanks Shiela. I should have posted the sketchbook, too. It’s handsome…next time.
Lovely drawings! I too love to use sepia ink….it gives a piece an entirely different ‘vibe’, I think.
I agree Teresa. I always like the look of sepia drawings and washes. I’m hoping this journal inspires me to do more of them.
Beautiful sketch, thanks for sharing