Ink Review #1131: Diamine Green Umber

Let’s take a look at Diamine Green Umber today, it seems I’m really stuck on green inks right now. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a few years ago.

The color:

Green Black is a very unsaturated, cool-tone green.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper there isn’t much shading, and just a little bit of dark grey sheen.

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

Dry time: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

Other properties: low shading, tiny grey sheen, and no shimmer. The sheen is only visible in large swabs on Tomoe River paper.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes but just a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Green Umber is similar in tone to Diamine Green Black, but it’s much less saturated the ink looks much lighter. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Kaweco Sport Milligram Sage with a medium nib on a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had an average flow. In this nib there was plenty of shading, but it did look a bit light and a bit hard to read on the top of the shading.

Overall, I’m kinda diggin’ this color. It’s interesting and a bit more of a unique green. There is a bit more feathering and bleeding than I like though.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself, and all photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1130: Diamine Green Black

Let’s take a look at Diamine Green Black today. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a few years ago.

The color:

Green Black is a deep, cool-tone green.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has a little bit of shading and some sheen.

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

Dry time: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

Other properties: low shading, medium black sheen, and no shimmer.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes but just a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Green Black is a little bit darker and cooler toned than Colorverse Interstellar Space. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Kaweco Al-sport Petrol with a broad nib on a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a nice color-I think it would be a good color for the office but it has a bit more feathering/bleeding than I prefer.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself, and all photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1129: Diamine Evergreen

Yesterday we looked at Diamine Emerald, so let’s take a look at another green, Diamine Evergreen. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a few years ago.

The color:

Evergreen is a dark green with a bit of black sheen.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some shading and sheen.

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

Dry time: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: medium shading, medium black sheen, and no shimmer.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes but just a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Evergreen is a bit more of an olive tone than Diamine Emerald, and a bit darker as well. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Franklin-Christoph 46 in Autumn Oak with a medium nib on a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I like this ink for fall and winter-it’s a lovely dark green with some interesting shading and sheen.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself, and all photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1128: Diamine Emerald

Let’s take a look at another Diamine ink I’ve had for a while, Diamine Emerald. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a few years ago.

The color:

Emerald is a medium, cool-tone green

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some shading but no sheen.

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

Other properties: medium shading, no sheen, and no shimmer.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes but just a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Emerald is similar to Colorverse Sea of Tranquility except that it’s cooler in tone. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Al-Star Charged Green with an extra fine nib on a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a good middle of the road ink-affordable, well behaved and a good color. It just doesn’t have anything that wows me.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself, and all photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1127: Diamine Eclipse

Let’s take a look at Diamine Eclipse today. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a few years ago.

The color:

Eclipse is a dark, cool-tone purple, more of a purple-black.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some pretty black sheen.

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: medium shading, medium black sheen, and no shimmer.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Eclipse is pretty close to Sailor Ink Studio 650. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Vanishing Point Copper with a fine nib on a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I enjoyed this ink. It’s well behaved and a lovely color. This ink might be a good office appropriate color.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself, and all photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored in any way.

Quarantine 2020 Ink Palettes

We are on day 24 of our self-imposed quarantine, something I’ve avoided talking about so far, but this is life right now and it doesn’t seem right to avoid it altogether. We live in Washington State and have three little kids so we decided to stay at home pretty early on and do our best to keep everyone healthy. It’s the first Sunday of the month so I thought I would post this month’s ink palettes based on what we’re doing and missing right now. I know a lot of us are struggling and my heart is with everyone having to deal with this. I’m doing my best to keep our routine as consistent as we can. My day job is on hold for now, but I’ll still be here posting ink content like usual for as long as I can.

One of the biggest things I miss right now is taking my kids to the park. We usually spend a lot of time outside-we go to a lot of local parks, splash parks and hiking trails. Since this isn’t really an option for us right now, I’m looking forward to days where chalk can be a fun part of our lives again. Diamine Soft Mint is one of my favorite Diamine inks, and has been for years.

My youngest is super into aquatic life right now and we have spent a lot of time on YouTube watching different sea creatures-have you seen the video of the octopus dreaming and changing colors the whole time?!? Coral and light orange are some of my favorite colors for spring.

Easter is coming up soon and my kids ask everyday if it’s Easter yet. They love dying eggs-mostly just so they can crack them open later, but it’s a good indoor activity when so many of our Easter activities won’t happen this year. I’m loving these colors together, they definitely have the spring vibe but are still pretty readable.

I’m struggling to keep everyone hydrated. It seems like such a silly thing but it’s something we are working on. I love teal inks and all three of these are great ones. Platinum Carbon Black is my new black ink fling, I don’t think we will be breaking up any time soon.

I’m hoping you are all well. I’m going to spend the rest of the evening sewing up some masks, but check back tomorrow for a new ink review. What’s your current ink obsession right now? Let me know in the comments below!

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. This post does not contain affiliate links and is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1126: Diamine Dragon Blood

Let’s take a look at one more Shimmertastic ink-Diamine Dragon Blood. Thanks to the reader that sent this sample in for review! You can find this ink for sale at most pen retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Dragon Blood is a dark unsaturated red.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has lots of gold shimmer.

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: low shading, no sheen, and gold shimmer.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Dragon Blood is darker than Diamine Red Lustre. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Kaweco Sport Coral with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s well behaved but it’s not an ink I think I would use often. I’m not a big on shimmer, and I don’t love the color enough to use it despite the shimmer.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by a reader for the purpose of this review. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1125: Diamine Razzmatazz

Diamine Razzmatazz is another ink from the most recent set of Shimmertastic inks. Thanks to the reader that sent this sample in for review! You can find this ink for sale at most pen retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Razzmatazz is an unsaturated pea green with gold shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some nice shading and lots of gold shimmer.

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: medium shading, no sheen, and gold shimmer.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Razzmatazz is a little bit less saturated than Colorverse Gluon. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Al-star Charged Green with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s well behaved but the color just isn’t my favorite.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by a reader for the purpose of this review. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1124: Diamine Starlit Sea

Diamine Starlit Sea is from the most recent set of Shimmertastic inks. Thanks to the reader that sent this sample in for review! You can find this ink for sale at most pen retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Starlit Sea is a pretty dark blue with silver shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has a little bit of pink sheen and plenty of silver shimmer.

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: low shading, tiny pink sheen, and silver shimmer. The sheen is only visible in large swabs on Tomoe River paper.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Starlit Sea is a little bit darker than Diamine Blue Pearl. It’s pretty close to De Atramentis Columbia Blue Silver, but way better behaved. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used an Edison Collier Blue Steel with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s pretty well behaved for a shimmer ink. It’s a better alternative for those who like the color of De Atramentis Columbia Blue Silver.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by a reader for the purpose of this review. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1123: Diamine Eau de Nil

One ink I’ve been meaning to review for a while is Diamine Eau de Nil, so it’s time to test it out! I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens.

The color:

Eau de Nil is a gorgeous dark teal.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has a little bit of black sheen.

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

Other properties: medium shading, low black sheen, and no shimmer.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Eau de Nil is lighter than Monteverde Iced Cookie, and more blue than Pelikan Edelstein Aquamarine. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the teal inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M805 Ocean Swirl with a broad nib on a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a lovely dark teal. It’s well behaved and has some nice shading.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself, and all photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored in any way.