Drawn to the dark colors

I am starting off my new year with a Ghost Story Writing Workshop and continuing work on what is becoming the Vampire Story Serial (to come eventually to Kindle Vella, I think). I had a few days off around the new year, so I spent a good amount of time scribbling and playing with inks in between some house projects and lots of rest. We also had a good winter storm here in northern Minnesota, so there was some heavy shoveling and ice cracking work underway.

A few days after last week’s currently inked update I decided to dump my fill of KWZ Thief’s Red and add the bottle to my “to be rehomed” box. It was a bottle from the days before I discovered samples and while I love red ink… I think this one might be too vibrant. Over the past few years my tastes have definitely shifted towards more muted colors. It’s a really well-behaved and lovely ink, just the color isn’t for me anymore.

I continued with my paper experiment with Kokuyo Perpanep Zara-Zara (the textured one). I really wish they sold this in loose leaf. It’s got a really satisfying feel under a nib with some feedback, but no bleeding and very minimal ghosting with very dark ink colors. It just feels very unique amongst the smoother papers I’ve used in the past. Will probably end up finishing off this notebook sooner than I think.

A close-up of Ferris Wheel Press Lapis Lullabies on Kokuyo Perpanep Zara Zara paper.

Got in about ten A5 pages of Vampire Story in this week and one A6 page on my first short story for my workshop. Also about six pages worth of journalling, with Ferris Wheel Press Lapis Lullabies being a big driver.

Currently Inked

Birmingham Pen Co. Locomotive - Kaweco liliput green B premium nib - This ink is down to the feed at the moment after being switched into this pen and nib combo after I burned through Colorverse Mariner 4. It looks great in this wetter nib and it just slides across the page. It’s a blue-leaning black on most papers and, to me, it really does evoke a steam engine boiler.

Diamine Deck the Halls - Kaweco Sport Macchiato 1.5 stub nib - This ink is so cool. It’s a dark purple with a pink/coppery shimmer that I’m using as a header color. There’s just something fun about breaking up entries in my journal or notes with some uncial calligraphy. When it’s not in the light it looks like a standard dark purple, but when the light hits it… so awesome. I’m going to have to try this one in a writing nib too, as I’m sure it will give off a fun vibe and encourage me to keep writing.

Ferris Wheel Press Lapis Lullabies - Kaweco Sport Burgundy B nib - This one is down to the feed as well after a refill last week, I just couldn’t stop writing with it. It’s definitely going into the favorite sparkly ink category. The dark red sheen with the subtle shimmer really gets me with this one. Definitely a keeper.

Colorverse Chi-town - Kaweco liliput copper 14K B nib - I got this ink as a souvenir on my very first trip to Chicago (thank you Atlas Stationers and your awesome staff). It’s another stealth shimmer ink that looks really plain in the base color, but then pops when the light hits it. Chi-town is a purple-black with silver shimmer. I really enjoy the bold lines.

Ferris Wheel Press Velvet Ballet - Kaweco liliput fireblue 14K M “journaller” - It turns out the splash of red I was seeking last week was of the more subtle variety. This is a really elegant red with a soft silver shimmer and looks awesome with this nib. A nice departure from the blues and blacks that I’ve been drawn to for the past few weeks.

Traveling, Colds, and Creativity

Winding Down