In Link Love

Link Love: Ed, Penmanship & Too Many Mechanical Pencils

Author AnaPosted on 1 Comment

Post of the Week:

Ed Ruscha: Buildings and Words from Felipe Lima on Vimeo.

Ed Ruscha: Buildings and Words is a short documentary, commissioned by MOCA in Los Angeles, exploring the recurring themes in the artist’s work. It was written and directed by Felipe Lima, and is narrated by Owen Wilson. More info and links via The Casual Optimist.

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In Ink Review

Ink Review: Robert Oster Aqua

Author AnaPosted on 11 Comments

Set sail with the new inks from Robert Oster out of Australia. I scoured the DC Pen Show in search of someone who had them in stock as I knew they were on their way to the US shores but the only vendor who had any in stock yet was Federalist Pens and Paper. I got a bottle of Aqua which ended up being the absolute right choice for my first bottle of Robert Oster Signature Fountain Pen ink because it is gorgeous!

In the past, I suggested that KWZ Menthol Green might good a good alternative to J. Herbin Emerald of Chivor if you’re looking for that deep teal green but would rather skip the pen-clogging sparkles. I hereby amend my recommendation to Robert Oster Aqua which is a perfct color match to J. Herbin Emerald of Chivor sans sparkles. Seriously.

Add to that the exquisite red halo and lovely shading and you have an exceptionally fabulous ink.

Other folks have suggested that some Oster were dry. I was using this in my Lamy Scala with EF 14K nib and had no issues with hard starts or skipping and Lamy nibs tend to be a little dry so I didn’t notice any issues. If anything, I found the flow on this ink particularly good.

This is my first Oster ink, and it certainly won’t be my last, so I’ll let you know if I find any of the other inks dry. The Aqua seems quite smooth and has been in my Lamy for several weeks with no issues. It’s even flown back from DC and on to SF and back without any problems.

Overall, I really like this ink. It might usurp Ku-Jaku as one of my favorite teal inks once I’ve seen how it performs in a few more pens but so far I’m most impressed with it.

oster aqua ink color comparison 2

UPDATE: Erik and Bradley both mentioned in the comments some color comparisons that I neglected to include so, for their benefit, I’ve added them above. Diamine Teal is darker and greener. It actually looks brighter in my photo than in real life. The Oster Aqua is much more vivid. and the red sheen and shading is far more apparent. The Edelstein Aquamarine is a pretty color but its lighter overall. There is a bit of a halo at the edges but not nearly as pronounced as the Oster Aqua which is almost metallic and again more vivid and saturated overall. There is a more faded denim quality to the Edelstein Aquamarine, a little more subdued. And the Diamine Teal is downright reserved in comparison. I hope that helps!

This ink was purchased from Federalist Pens and Paper at the DC Pen Show. It can be purchased online through their web site for $18 per bottle plus shipping.

In Art of the Day

Click Bait: 19 Instagrams You Should Follow If You Love Pretty Handwriting Redux

Author AnaPosted on 4 Comments

Click bait giant Buzzfeed posted 19 Instagrams You Should Follow If You’re Slightly Obsessed With Pretty Handwriting and while there are some goodies in there and people I’d certainly recommend myself like Kara Benz, AKA Boho Berry, I decided I’d create my own click bait version.

These are my 19 Instagrams you should follow if you love pretty handwriting, calligraphy and typography.

  1. Mary Kate McDevitt: hand-lettering artist and illustrator extraordinaire.

  1. Leigh Reyes: Art, Calligraphy and all-around awesomeness

  1. Raul Alejandro: Type illustrator, calligrapher and designer known for his work with Nike and the Hallmark Signature line.

  1. The Postman’s Knock: Lindsey Bugbee, modern calligrapher and educator of the fine art of lettering and calligraphy.

  1. Matt Vergotis: My favorite Aussie, left-handed, brush lettering calligrapher and logo/branding designer.

  1. Neil Secretario: Typography, Lettering and Design from Atlanta, Ga. Pretty sure he’s a lefty too.

  1. Jonathan Faust: Designer and Lettering Artist in Copenhagen. Did I mention he’s a lefty?

  1. MakeMediaCo: Callie Hegstrom, creator of lettering, calligraphy, illustration and type design. Quite the witster.

  1. Calligrafikas by Drew Europeo: Calligraphy and Watercolor. Beautiful.

  1. Jusebox: Hawaiian designer and calligrapher.

  1. Mycustompuppet: Master puppet maker and calligraphy enthusiast posts mesmerizing videos of his penmanship and his puppet making.

  1. Attilasultis: Hungarian architecture student and fountain pen lover creates lovely lettering.

  1. Kathy Weller: Creative playful lettering, illustration and licensed design and one of my favorite artists.

  1. GoodType: Curated lettering and typography collected by Brooke Robinson.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJGAQMSBgzG/?taken-by=thedailywriting

  1. Thedailywriting: Curated collection of beautiful notebooks, particularly Traveler’s Notebooks.

  1. FoldedPenFriday: If you love the look of folded nib pens, you’ll love this feed.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJiNDWwAL57/?taken-by=frerejones

  1. Frere-Jones: Type design practice in New York City collects found type images.

  1. cheryldyercalligraphy: Cheryl Dyer is a lettering artist and calligrapher

  1. Draplin: Found type, design and silliness from the man himself, Aaron Draplin.
In Fashionable Friday

Fashionable Friday: Inspired By A Scarf

Author AnaPosted on

FF-scarf

This week’s inspiration comes from a beautiful, tropical scarf from J. Crew that will help carry a little bit of summer and adventuring into fall along with a few beautiful pens, inks and accessories to inspire new adventures.

  • Bandana in Ratti Into The Wild Print $22.50 (via J. Crew)
  • Royce 1-Slot Leather Single Pen Carrying Case in Light Blue $20 (via Pen Chalet)
  • Wax Seal’AND’ $59.95 AUD (via Kustom Haus)
  • Kate Spade Small Square Studs in Beryl Green $38 (via Kate Spade)
  • Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Orange Medium Point Fountain Pen $14.95 (via Goldspot Pens)
  • Robert Oster Signature Emerald Ink (50ml Bottle) $16 (via Anderson Pens)
  • Diamine Kelly Green Ink (30 ml Bottle) $7.50 (via JetPens)
  • Aurora Alpha Red Fountain Pen $340 (via Anderson Pens)
  • Barstock Render K with Raw Aluminum Body and Turquoise Cap starting at $70 (via Karas Kustoms)
  • J Herbin Rouge Caroubier Fountain Pen Ink (30ml Bottle) $10 (via Pen Chalet)
  • Caran d’Ache 849 Goldbar Ballpoint Pen $54.50 (via Pen Boutique)
  • Conklin Duragraph Forest Green Fountain Pen € 55 (via Fontoplumo)
  • PH Green Notebook (4.9 × 7.2 × 0.3 in.) $7.00 (via Fresh Stock Japan)

Thanks to all my sponsors for providing some of the inspiring images. Please help support this blog by purchasing your next pen, ink or paper product from one of the shops that support this blog and let them know you heard about them here. Thanks for your support and for supporting the shops that help keep it running.

In Link Love

Link Love: A Little Tea with Honey

Author AnaPosted on 2 Comments

rp_link-ana1111111111111111-1.jpgPens:

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In Ask The Desk

Ask The Readers: B5 Hardcover Notebook

Author AnaPosted on 18 Comments

ask the readers header

Okay, gang, now I need your help! Sometimes, questions come into my inbox and I ponder and query and google and I come up with nothing. So, I’m hoping that the massive collective hive mind of stationery genius out there can help out. Maybe you use or have seen something to help Linda.

notebook-criteria

Linda is begging for help:
The notebook I have used since 2008 is now out of print. I bought all the stock I could find and am down to my last two. I need a suitable replacement but haven’t had much luck. Perhaps the Desk can advise?

What I Need:

  • Hardcover
  • B5 or a tad bigger, but not A4
  • White pages, not cream or ivory
  • Thick pages that do not bleed (Sharpies excluded, of course)
  • Dot grid, graph, etc. Even lined, maybe if the lines are unobtrusive
  • Smooth paper

I’m a fan of Apica, Kokuyo’s Campus notebooks, Rhodia dotgrid. But I can find nothing both hardcover and B5.
Any tips?
Please?
I’m getting stingy with my notetaking and brainstorming in order to make my current notebooks last.

I am at a loss to find a good replacement for you, Linda. B5 size is close to a US Composition notebook and, for some reason, this size notebook always seem to have a flexible cover, whether they are US, Japanese or European. Moleskine’s XL size is a B5 but the paper is warm white and not everyone’s favorite. The only bright white options I could find were Leucthtrum 1917 but I couldn’t find that they offered this particular size configuration in hardcover. Only softcover. So, I’m rallying the troops! Do you have a recommendation for Linda?