Before you dive into the world of inking with your new nib, it's crucial to prepare it properly.
Nibs are often coated with a thin layer of lacquer to prevent rusting during storage and transport. However, this protective coating can hinder ink flow by causing the ink to pool on the nib's surface rather than spreading smoothly. This might lead to ink flow problems, or worse, an unwanted blob of ink might suddenly slip off onto your paper.
To ensure a smooth writing experience, follow these simple steps to remove the lacquer:
Boil and Cool: Secure the nib in its holder, then dip the tip into boiling water for a few seconds. Immediately follow this by swirling it around in cold water. This process helps to loosen and remove the lacquer.
Dip with Care: Only immerse the nib up to just beyond the small breather hole, as going deeper can wet the pen holder and potentially damage it.
Repeat and Dry: You may need to repeat this process a couple of times to ensure all the lacquer is gone. Once done, dry the nib thoroughly to prevent rust.
Don’t worry if the nib looks a little dull afterward—that's perfectly normal and means it’s ready to go.
Now for the fun part—have fun inking!
If you have any dip pen inking questions or tips you would like to share, please leave them in the comments!
Bonsai #2 The Beauty of Time, Original Ink Painting.
Ageing is a gift we often take for granted.
Modern humans seem so obsessed with youth that we often overlook the value of something that has been around for a long time. The amount of knowledge and experience acquired over time is so special and precious but, like trees, we often take it for granted. The more context we have, the deeper our understanding is and the richer our life experience is. The superficial joys of life can be found in the new and fleeting but true magic can be found in things that tell a story of how they lived and what it means to exist.
Every crease and mark adds depth and information that help us develop our understanding.
Studying the details allows us to look deeper. Here we can find answers to our questions. Here we can find meaning and purpose. Here we can come to appreciate all the creases and marks we ourselves have acquired through the years and understand their value when we realise that they are earned and that they form who we are. When the veil is lifted we can see the true beauty in the world.
Crafting the Artwork
The original artwork is 57x38cm Hahnemuhle 'The Collection' Water Colour paper with a deckle edge. The paper was stained with lightfast, pigmented acrylic ink to create an aged look, which in itself is quite beautiful. The ink was applied using a dip pen for the leaves and a fine brush was used to draw the bark and moss.
Inspiration
Inspired by bonsai's grown on top of unusual bases, this subject has the tree grown on top of an older and larger petrified tree. The distorted scale creates a confusion to the actual size of the tree. The title calls the tree a bonsai but the elements in the drawing suggest that it is full grown tree. This suspends reality and creates a fantasy quality to the realistic depiction almost as if it is an old documentation of a tree in another universe.
The original artwork is available here: https://www.thesalsacreative.com/product-page/bonsai-2-the-beauty-of-time-original
And Timed Limited Prints are available here until midnight 16 October 2023: https://salmapricenell.com/pages/bonsai
Prints were released in an edition of 15xA3 and 5xA1
If you were inspired by this article, please leave your thoughts in the comments, I'd love to hear them.
Take good care of yourself,
Salma Price-Nell
Updated: Sep 25, 2023
'The Charmed Tree' Original Ink Illustration was inspired by the Rowan Tree (Sorbus aucuparia)
I always thought that there was something magical about a Rowan tree, so I stretched my fingers, took to the keyboard and went to learn more about them.
I discovered that they are, in fact, quite magical.
Also known as quickbeam, wicken or witchwood, no tree has more mystical and folkloric association than the rowan. In mythology the Rowan tree (also known as the tree of life in Celtic Mythology) is seen as the tree of protection, particularly protecting against witchcraft and enchantment. Planting a Rowan tree beside a home is said to protect its residents and keep evil spirits at bay. Its old Celtic name, 'fid na ndruad', means wizards' tree.
The wood was used for stirring milk to prevent the milk curdling, and as a pocket charm against rheumatism. It was also used to make divining rods.
We have 2 Rowan trees in our garden and I’ve always been fascinated by them. They change through the seasons from white blossoms in the Spring to beautiful dark green leaves and bright orangey-red berries in Autumn. I’m really happy to know that they have this meaning and are protecting us ☺️
I was going to name this artwork 'The Tree of Protection', but instead named it 'The Charmed Tree' because I want it to symbolise magic and the belief that trees may have spirits that operate beyond our understanding. That there are layers to existence besides physical matter that are at play all around us. To quote Arthur C. Clarke: “Magic’s just science that we don’t understand yet.”
I love the festivities that come with Autumn and Halloween and having these trees around really enhances the spirit of this time of year.
The Charmed Tree Original Ink Illustration was a prize in a Giveaway I hosted in September 2023 for my amazing email subscribers as a thank you for supporting my work.
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Take good care of yourself!
Salma
