During Prayer, Bistre Ink

Elizabeth Schott · 03-26-2006, 10:27 PM

I wanted to share this for selfish reasons, I am desperately trying to locate some more of this wonderful ink as described below:

Quote:

properly aged bistre ink...between three and five years old. I think that we'll bottle some and offer it for sale. I've seen nothing like it. It's made over a period of four or five days, boiling a mix of beechwood soot and oak galls and replenishing the water over that period. The picture shows the oak galls and powdered soot.

I was given a generous amount of this by the generous people at Studio Products, but it is about done and am having a real search problem.

This ink has such a finish and wonderful feel as applied.

9 x 6, on watercolor paper.

Claudemir Bonfim · 03-27-2006, 07:52 AM

Hi Beth,

That's not a permanent ink, that's why artists stopped using it here more than a century ago. Are you sure you want more of it? I'm going to email a big supplier here which gets materials from Holland, I hope he'll have some good news.

Claudemir Bonfim · 03-27-2006, 07:55 AM

Very nice drawing!

Allan Rahbek · 03-27-2006, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claudemir Bonfim

Hi Beth,

That's not a permanent ink, that's why artists stopped using it here more than a century ago. Are you sure you want more of it? I'm going to email a big supplier here which gets materials from Holland, I hope he'll have some good news.

Bonfim,
was that not the same formula that Rembrandt used almost 400 years ago?

Allan

Claudemir Bonfim · 03-27-2006, 08:23 AM

Hi Allan,

As far as I'm concerned he used bistre and sepia mixed up. I read once that it looses its quality over time. Rembrandt made lots of experiments and he always mixed pigments. But if you say it is pure bistre, I'll believe you.
I've seen some very old stuff in bistre including maps and portraits, it's like Van Gogh's work which has lost some of its colors, but is beautiful.
Now I cannot recall whether the material I read about it was talking about its permanency on paper, fabric or whatever.
I'm sorry if I made a big mistake here.

And Beth, you should look for restorer's suppliers. Artists suppliers are usually concerned about the latest materials.

Elizabeth Schott · 03-27-2006, 09:01 AM

Bonfim that was the beauty of the Bistre, it does last but it fades to a lustre as it ages, I am sure someone has made them even more durable by now.

Restoration places is a good idea, but I'll keep my fingers crossed for your Holland buddy!

Claudemir Bonfim · 03-27-2006, 01:24 PM

I'll post here ASAP.

Elizabeth Schott · 03-27-2006, 06:54 PM

Thanks again Bonfim.

Whew... research today:

I spoke with Robert at Kremer Pigments, Inc.

Their Bistre and Sepia ink does have a shellac base

He did say he just made a batch of Iron Gall ink which he is going to bottle and sell. I am not familar with this this and just wonder if it's a darker/blacker ink than the Bistre. It does not have a shellac base.

If you are interested:

Bullocks' Iron Gall
1-800-995-5501
[email protected]

Claudemir Bonfim · 03-28-2006, 06:57 PM

Hi Beth,

All I got from my friend is a bistre used to paint on metal. It costs about U$ 20.00 for 60 ml + shipping, so I think it is not the same one you're looking for.