Ink of the Week: Robert Oster Muddy Wine
Part of my rediscovery process in my collection has pulled out some inks that I often forget about and a few ink brands I don’t pay as much attention to. Robert Oster is one of those brands. I have a few bottles from them (at least two of which are exclusive editions to different retailers). I am quite fond of the ones that have managed to stick around through the various rounds of clearing out things that I just don’t use. One of my favorites is Robert Oster Muddy Wine.
Muddy Wine was part of a much larger “mudpack” line that was originally a direct from Robert Oster in Australia and only available as a full set of all seven colors. While there were many times I almost ordered, I knew that in the end I didn’t want all of those inks and really just wanted to try a few of them. Imagine my delight when they went to worldwide distribution and became available individually. I immediately snatched up samples of the entire set from Vanness Pens. The colors in the series all have a very muted tone. Mountain of Ink did a great review of all seven.
The Ink
I used a watercolor brush and two Sailor Hocoro pens in 1.1 and M.
Muddy Wine is the purple in the lineup. It falls into the “warm purple” zone, although it can lean towards brown-purple or red-purple on different papers and in different lights. While warm purples have become more common in recent years, when Muddy Wine came out it was the only one I had seen. At the time I was in a burgundy/wine ink phase and I think I used the sample through without even swapping inks somewhere in the middle. When that happens I add an ink to my bottle list.
The ink is very readable despite giving a “whispy” vibe. It’s darker than some other purples I would describe as “whispy” (such as FWP Madam Mulberry). It is a wet ink as well which makes it a good ink to use in combination with what may be my fussiest nib - my 14K M ground to a ‘selvedge’.
The shade isn’t in your face which makes it easy to use in a variety of setting to add a little color, but not be too loud. The ink is also very well-priced at around $19 USD for a 50 mL bottle.
Ink Siblings
These inks may be more cousins than anything. I actually didn’t have anything too close within my collection.
Diamine Masquerade was the closest in base color, however it also has an added gold shimmer.
Diamine Potpourri - a few shades lighter and pinker than Muddy Wine.
Bungukan Hirai Bridge - much, much more brown, but the purple/pink chromashading is similar.
Ferris Wheel Press Whispers of Twilight - also far pinker than Muddy Wine and with silver shimmer.
Colorverse Brunch Date - not even close, this comparison makes Brunch Date look even pinker. They look great together, so they may have to be inked up at the same time one of these days.
Overall
This is a great ink in the Mudpack series which is a great series overall. Definitely worth checking out!
