Ink

[Carlton Bach]

Romans use a word: atramentum. I think ink was made of arabic gum and a colourant. To get black colour, try with the options proposed. To get the red, you can try with ferrous oxid.

What kind of suport you'll use? Ceramic, papirus, wood?

I'll try all if I can. Right now I'm trying to get the ink to work (part of my paintmaking project) and learning to use a reed pen right. For practice, I'll use paper and plywood scraps. There is a source for papyrus near where I live, but it's pricy and of fairly low quality (today, it must look 'handmade' if it is to sell). A friend may also be able to find me 2mm limewood veneer for tablets. Then I'll ask my potter for 'failed' vessels to use for ostraka. But that's still distant plans. I've only just finished the gum arabic solution and won't have the time to get the soot or iron oxide in this weekend.

Volker