Ink Review #1461: Aurora Red

Aurora Red is from Aurora’s 100th Anniversary collection and is available in 55ml bottles. You can find this ink for sale at Pen Chalet (aff. link) and Vanness Pens.

The color:

Red is a bright tomato red with green-gold sheen.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks pinker than it does on the Col-o-ring swab above.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 15 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

Other properties: low shading, tiny green sheen, and no shimmer.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Red is closest to Taccia Aka Red. Click here to see the Aurora inks together, and click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Blossom Red with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this is a lovely red. I prefer how it looks in writing rather than in swabs. It’s pretty well behaved and a nice medium red, not too orange or pink.

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. This page does contain affiliate links but this post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1460: Aurora Brown

Aurora Brown aka Sepia is from Aurora’s 100th Anniversary collection. You can find this ink for sale at Pen Chalet (aff. link) and Vanness Pens.

The color:

Brown is a medium brown with a slight red undertone.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks cooler-toned.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 15 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Brown is closest to Stipula Sepia. Click here to see the Aurora inks together, and click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M800 Renaissance Brown with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, there was a bit more feathering and bleeding than I like to see, but other than that it’s a lovely color with a bit of shading. This ink is not a must-have for me, it’s not fabulous but not awful either-a solid middle of the road brown ink.

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. This page does contain affiliate links but this post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1459: Aurora Grey

Aurora Grey is from Aurora’s 100th Anniversary collection. You can find this ink for sale at Pen Chalet (aff. link) and Vanness Pens.

The color:

Grey is a medium grey with some shading.

Swabs:

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

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 15 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes as well as a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Grey seems very similar to Montblanc Oyster Grey, just darker in the swab. It has a lot of the same undertones and shading. Click here to see the Aurora inks together, and click here to see the grey inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy 200 Black Amber with a fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I could take or leave this one. It’s pretty well behaved and a nice color, but it’s not better than Montblanc Oyster Grey and I don’t need both since they are so similar.

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. This page does contain affiliate links but this post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1458: Colorverse 008 Ornament Yellow

Colorverse #008 Ornament Yellow is from Colorverse’s Project collection. You can find this ink for sale at Pen Chalet (aff. link) and Vanness Pens.

The color:

Ornament Yellow is a medium mustard yellow with copper shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink doesn’t have much shading, but it does have plenty of 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: 15 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

The base color is closest to Diamine Gold Star, but the copper shimmer is closer to De Atramentis Amber Yellow Copper. Click here to see the Colorverse inks together, and click here to see the yellow inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Safari Mango with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly dry flow.

Overall, it’s pretty well behaved but it is just a little drier than I prefer. The mustard yellow/copper shimmer combo doesn’t wow me so this isn’t a great ink for me.

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. This page does contain affiliate links but this post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1457: Ferris Wheel Press Freshly Squeezed Sunshine

Ferris Wheel Press Freshly Squeezed Sunshine, despite having a long-winded name, is from FWP’s Summer 2020 collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Freshly Squeezed Sunshine is a bright sunshine yellow ink.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks a little more orange where it pooled.

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: low shading, no sheen, and no shimmer.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Squeezed Sunshine is close to Van Dieman’s Wattle Yellow. Click here to see the FWP inks together, and click here to see the yellow inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Yellow with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, it was readable in a broad nib but it’s not one I would use often for long writing. It causes some eye strain if used too often, but it would work really well for art.

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1456: Van Dieman's Howl at the Moon

We are over halfway through Yellow Ink Week! Today’s yellow ink is Van Dieman’s Howl at the Moon from Van Dieman’s Midnight collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Hastings Caves is a bright acid yellow with silver shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has plenty of 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: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Howl at the Moon is closest to De Atramentis Amber Yellow Silver. Click here to see the Van Dieman’s inks together, and click here to see the yellow inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Franklin-Christoph 45 in Spanish Moss with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, in longer writing this ink is too pale for me. It has a dry flow, but I didn’t have any clogging issues with this one.

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1455: Van Dieman's Wattle Yellow

We are continuing on with yellow ink week! It’s time to try out Van Dieman’s Wattle Yellow from Van Dieman’s Colours of Tasmania collection. I purchased my sample of ink from Pen Chalet (aff. link).

The color:

Wattle Yellow is a bright sunshine yellow.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks darker, leans a little more orange.

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: None

Show through: Low

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Wattle Yellow is similar to Diamine Yellow and Ferris Wheel Press Freshly Squeezed Sunshine. Click here to see the Van Dieman’s inks together, and click here to see the yellow inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Yellow with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, it’s a good basic yellow ink, while still being pretty readable in a broad nib. My only issue is that it’s too dry for me.

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

Ink Review #1454: Van Dieman's Hastings Caves

We are continuing on with yellow ink week today-let’s take a look at Van Dieman’s Hastings Caves from Van Dieman’s Wilderness collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Hastings Caves is a medium yellow with lots of silver shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks darker with plenty of 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: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Hastings Caves is closest to Robert Oster Aussie Liquid Gold. Click here to see the Van Dieman’s inks together, and click here to see the yellow inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Safari Mango with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly dry flow.

Overall, this ink is generally pretty well behaved, but it is a little drier than I prefer. It’s pretty similar to Robert Oster Aussie Liquid Gold, so I probably don’t need both.

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1453: Kobe 22 Shinkaichi Gold

Kobe 22 Shinkaichi Gold is from Kobe’s standard collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Shinkaichi Gold is a deep golden yellow.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more brown than yellow.

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, tiny black sheen, and no shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Shinkaichi Gold is closest to Robert Oster Gold Antiqua. Click here to see the Kobe inks together, and click here to see the yellow inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, I enjoyed the color of this ink-it’s perfect for the fall and winter seasons. It’s well behaved and has some lovely shading!

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1452: Colorverse 80 Brunch Date

Colorverse #80 Brunch Date is from Colorverse’s Joy in the Ordinary collection. You can find this ink for sale at Pen Chalet (aff. link) and Vanness Pens.

The color:

Brunch Date is a pale brown-pink.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more brown than pink.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 15 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Brunch Date is pinker than Diamine Warm Brown. Click here to see the Colorverse inks together, and click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Kaweco Al-sport Gold with a fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, it is a bit pale so it can be hard to read in the smaller nib sizes, and it’s a bit dry for me. I’m just not sold on this one.

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. This page does contain affiliate links but this post is not sponsored.