What I love about the fountain pen hobby | ink swatching methods +

[@junaissance]

Thank you for the collab sharing 🙏🏻 Every time I got an ink I swatch them jn my wearinggeul swatch book. I swatch w small painting brush and dropping little water to see the underneath colors I used cotton swap before but it appears so lighter than actual color so I changed. Sending my wishes 🧞‍♂️💖💧

[@aquadotsanchez]

I'm a complete fan of your method to swatch colors, the tones stand out and you can really appreciate the details. Personally, I don't have many inks, but those I've swatched I like to add to my everyday journal: one big blob of color and I write down my first impression of it along with its name and brand of the bottle. I do it this way as to incorporate it into my daily routine as naturally as possible.

[@RG-yf3uj]

TFS. One of the biggest reasons I've loved watching your videos for so long is bc of the way you swatch inks. Especially 💙 today's page. Really shows the ink variation w/the different forms you've used on the same page.

[@ravendownpour3379]

I haven't explored much with ink swatches, but this looks really fun and accessible! I have three bottles and one sample that was gifted to me by @LittleCocoStudio! When I heard that you were doing this collaboration, I was so excited. My favorite (and only) way I have been swatching my inks by using a cotton swab on circle label stickers. I put the label stickers with a writing sample in a small notebook and on top of the bottle, so it is easier to see what I have samples of. I can't wait to experiment more 😊

[@creatingwithaloha]

I love watching your videos! I would never think to use different objects in the kitchen. I use the q-tip method. The world of fountain pens is so big with all kinds of colors and methods of showing colors! TFS aloha Liann

[@christinemcgregor9970]

I was so excited to see a new video of yours popup! I'm also a big fan of Little Coco Studios. I find both of your videos styles and content interesting and your voices are very relaxing. I love swatching videos. My favorite way to swatch ink is with a qtip and to write the name and a writing sample with a dipped pen.

[@Autumnichi]

This is such a generous giveaway & lovely collab! I’m over from Alison’s channel, so happy to have found a new journaler to follow! I adore my inks even though I don’t have a whole lot yet. Ink samples would be amazing. I’m still working out how to swatch properly. So far it’s just haphazardly at the back of notebooks. I use a dip pen & mostly just test through writing. I also use the end of my glass pen for larger blobs. In my art practice I swatch on small squares of watercolour paper so I’ve been considering doing something similar. Then I pop each piece onto a tag. Thank you for the opportunity! 😊

[@nlamproplos]

My favorite way to swatch is to use acrylic block round stamps. Because they're clear, I can see the swatch as it happens and adjust. Great video!

[@khrysalisstudios]

I enjoy swatching with a simple q tip. I really love the swatch ideas you showed here! It's so enjoyable to watch you swatch!

[@funsizepanda]

Ooh... this giveaway sounds exciting! Thanks for considering international viewers too! My favorite way to swatch inks so far has been using cotton swabs and my Sailor Hocoro dip pen with a F and B nib so I can see the color properties of the ink at large via the cotton swab swatch (either in a scribbly blob or a shape like a heart), and how the ink might look in my fountain pens via the F and B nib on the Sailor dip pen. It's extra interesting too because I don't currently own any Sailor pens, so it really is a guesstimate of how it might look in my other pens. I love seeing how the cotton swab swatch and the dip pen writing samples ala lazy fox compare too!

[@sunnycharacter]

Beautiful and so relaxing! I do enjoy using my glass dip pens for the script in my swatch books. And for the large splotches I use whatever I have on my desk, most often it’s a paintbrush since I watercolor paint a lot and have a huge array of brushes.

[@b1rdeee]

I'm coming from the other half of this giveaway, so this is my first time watching one of your videos, but I'm definitely hooked!! I'm still pretty new to fountain pens, so my ink collection in that regard is a bit puny, but I've worked with inks in an artistic regard for a long time, so I do have some experience with swatching! for me the classic will always be a circular palette that I can use to create a gradient from darkest to lightest ink concentration, then swatching those with a paintbrush, but lately I've been really loving testing how different inks act on textures. So far I'm a huge fan of working on top of a base layer of acrylic paint. It slows down the drying time of the ink, which lets me play around with it more, and it lets me test out the inks over different colors. Presently I'm obsessed with the karin brushmarker pro in the color Lush Green layered on top of a bright red/orange acrylic base. Because of the complimentary colors and the translucense of the ink, it looks almost black, but in certain lighting the green becomes more visible and it's just amazing to me.

[@debpereira13]

I've gotten inspiration from your prior videos on my ink swatching methods. I'm a beginner in the fountain pen journal and do't have a lot of ink bottles, but find myself rewatching the same inks into various notebooks. I have used an old plastic dropper from a children's liquid medicine. then use various tools to move it around on the page.

[@claraptj]

I haven't tried a lot of different inks myself, but I always find it so satisfying to watch people swatch inks with the bottom of a cup 🥹 It spreads and pools differently every time and always looks really interesting, so I can never get enough of that!

[@firesong_suns]

I loved seeing all of these different methods, my usual choice is a little pipette and using the other end to move ink around... It's messy but I do enjoy it being a single item process!

[@AmberUnfinished]

I have really enjoyed painting a water circle on my page and then touching the outer edges with ink to see what it does. Or touching the center to see it spread. So fun to see what shades come out. But I generally put a drop on the page and use a small metal cap to an air freshener to make circles.

[@Mlle_Bleue]

Thank you for organizing a giveaway! ❤ I just used cotton swabs for the longest time, but in the last couple years I've been using a B1 "ornamental" dip nib. I had one back in the 1980s and 90s, it tool all that time to replace it. I swatch on watercolor paper, and since last year on Wearingeul swatch papers.

[@biggsheba1]

My favorite tools for inks are my speedball nib in a B2, which makes incredible swatches, and my glass dip pen for writing samples. ❤

[@artzyplans2738]

I love swatching inks with a plastic dropper and then I use the little salad dressing container too!

[@jakimberling]

I am currently using a plastic sandwich bag to make organic smears. I love the randomness of it! I loved this video and took notes for some new ideas! Thanks!

[@NoDecaf7]

I've been using the cotton bud method, but I hate how much ink I feel like I'm wasting as the cotton absorbs the ink, I love the tour of your tools! I also broke my glass dip pen recently, which I use for writing swatches. I won't be replacing it with a glass nib, but maybe a metal dip pen. It's great to see a new video of yours! I really enjoy your content. Thank you for including words on the screen for names of items and inks. You speak extremely clearly, but I'm very visual 😊

[@aboulebuckley]

I recently got a pack of Wearinggeul swatch cards and I’m loving them! I swatched every single one of my ink bottles and a bunch of samples over the course of the last week. On the swatch card, I start with a flex nib dip pen and on the back of the card print the brand and ink name followed by a cursive and super flexy pangram. Then on the front, I play with different fonts for the brand and ink names, on the left side of the card I mark if it’s a shimmer/pigment ink (bottom left), shading or dual shading (middle left) or sheening (top left). On the bottom right I put a B if I have a bottle. Then I finely outline the bottom lines of the bottle on the card. I use a wet paint brush to draw out the ink from those lines to make the “glass bottle” which also helps me see all the undertones, which is especially fun for darker inks. Finally, I finish by filling in the bottle with a dipped brush. I’ve also experimented with a small spatula, a kakimori brass nib, a sailor fude dip pen, dropping splashes with an eye dropper, cotton swabs, and (inspired by you) a tiny metal mini tart pan for making pretty circles. Love this video and thanks for asking!!

[@bethcunningham4346]

That was a great video showing all of your ink swatching techniques! I typically swatch with a Kakimori brass or stainless steel nib. I’ve also used the edge of a letter opener. I tried tweezers but that didn’t work as nicely as the nibs or letter opener. Thanks for giving back to the fountain pen community ❤❤❤

[@LivelyLaura]

Yay! Another Liane Video! I actually was inspired by you to pick up a set of glass teaspoons and I use that on my currently inked page but on my swatch cards I use a watercolor brush and my kakimori brass nib.

[@slastenushkaslast3402]

What a cute video, I love the bread clips idea. I already collect them for my knitting,. Cause they hold the loose threads nicely, now I have another way to use them :) I usually swatch inks using the other end of anything more or less round and not porous :)

[@ildaenoch8629]

My favorite ways to swatch is with a paint brush and doodles . Thank y’all for the giveaway 🎉

[@hey_no_problem5012]

My favourite way to swatch is to use cotton buds and a writing sample in one of my pens on Rhodia paper because I want to remember how my inks look in the way I use them most!

[@riesemma]

I like to swatch ink using the flat handle of a mini stainless steel nail file, partly inspired by seeing you swatch with condiment cups. I ink my fountain pen, turn the converter dial to drip ink onto a Wearingeul leaf swatch card then carefully spread it around with the stainless steel nail file and try to clean up the edges with a cotton swab. I used to get unattractive marks from swatching with just cotton swabs and was unsuccessful finding something small and smooth in glass like your teaspoon. But this video has inspired me to try more elaborate swatching (on fountain pen friendly paper and not just ink cards!) thank you!

[@allisonmartin8577]

I love using a mini acrylic circle block and write with either a glass pen or a calligraphy nib. I also recently had purchased an ink muddler which is perfect for travel. Love your videos.

[@salamaat]

This was fun and interesting! The two ways I enjoy swatching my inks are wirh my Kakimori brass nib or the end of my glass pen (the non writing side) What an exciting giveaway!

[@mctirad]

Great video! One of my favorite ways to swatch is using the cap of an ink sample bottle and putting it in my Hobonichi or wearingeul swatch cards.

[@FromStudioZ]

I love to use the glass spoon for ink swatches. I also love using the condiment “tool” also.

[@nitaz25]

My favourite way of swatching inks is to place a few ink droplets from a converter or a pipette and smudge the droplets with a clear plastic packaging bag which gives an organic style of ink blob.

[@tanjablume6343]

I started off with q-tips but after watching your metal cup method😊 I hunted around for something metal. I love the variation on those swatches, especially when using TR paper. For my swatch cards, on 300 gsm mixed media paper I am still using a q-tip. I really like how you can tell if an ink is very dry, by the squeak😅 and Ican see the saturation, darker at the top, lighter at the bottom, which gives me an idea what the ink will look like in various nibs. Oh, I am glad you had to use the J.Herbin lid, the size looks perfect for future swatching projects🥰

[@MamaTomasu]

My favorite way to swatch inks are using the flat/smooth side of a Gatorade lid (functions the same way as the bottom of your condiment cup). Also I write with either my glass dip pen or a Sailor Hocoro dip pen. That's my primary way I swatch a new ink. But once I actually use an ink in a pen, then I like to blow a swatch with the syringe since I'm using the syringe to ink up most of my pens anyway. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity

[@Pumpk1npieee]

I’ve always used a glass pen. That was one of my first purchases when I bought sample inks and now use the stubby end for more organic swatches if I’m feeling creative :)

[@brittanyfreeman9101]

Welcome back Liane! I’ve been waiting for another video of yours to come out. My favorite way to swatch inks is using a speedball nib and making a large circle. I used to use q-tips but decided to pick one of those up and it is so quick and easy!

[@FranM6179]

I like using a size 4 automatic pen to make a ribbon like swatch and also a small round acrylic block. I also like to use my Kakimori nibs to write the ink name.

[@lynnmiller4669]

What a kind giveaway! My favourite way of switching was inspired by your condiment cups, but I use the upturned cap of an old used up room spray - it’s such a good size for it!

[@cerealnana]

My favourite method for swatching at the moment is a glass swizzle stick and glass nib pen.

[@pherranine]

i absolutely love swatching it makes me feel like an artist scientist haha. i dont have anything to swatch my inks officially but i found that using a spoon and an artists pencil( the lacquered end) to swatch is really relaxing. it makes me happy to see that you also use a spoon!! ingenuity ahah

[@DhirajMulchandaniPhotography]

I really enjoyed looking at the various ways you swatch and play with your ink.. I use a paint brush to snatch my inks and a dip pen to swatch my inks. I really like to put my inks into pens and just write with them. The juicer the pen the better :)

[@thejoyinpensandpaper890]

I’m basic with my use of the kakimori brass nib pen but I’ve been really enjoying exploring ink on different papers currently!

[@MBMomto3]

Love your videos! Still trying to find a good way to test ink!

[@anitacalbonchan5954]

I usually swatch inks with a Speedball B-0 nib cuz it laydown a large amount on paper. Then I would use the Hocoro Fude nib to write out the name of the ink. Your video is full of inspirational ideas to use something around the house for ink swatching. The bread clip is ingenious!

[@cheesim]

Love both channels! Your swatching videos are so relaxing to watch! 👍🏼

[@kimduhaime502]

I love the cloud shape, I will be trying that one! My favourite ways to swatch are with a paintbrush and my glass dip pen, plus I will often use different sized nibs of dip pens. I haven't tried Tomoe River paper yet, so that's also a must-try for me.

[@stareenafraser]

So far i normally fill a pen and then write with it to swatch the ink. I have the kakimori nib on my wish list, i have seen many videos with that nib. I have also used the cotton buds. Thanks for this video 😊

[@ordinarynights1224]

My favourite way to swatch my inks is still with a glass dip pen as well as a Sailor Hocoro F nib, which I feel best represents regular writing without inking up a pen. I use an automatic pen to make a larger rectangular swatch. Thank you for the giveaway!

[@ScorchedSapphire]

One of (many) fun things about the fountain pen hobby is the variety of ink! I only started making swatches in the past year, but my favorite way is to use a q-tip. If the ink is in my personal collection, then I'll write the name of the ink with a dip pen I got as a birthday gift. If it isn't, then I'll pencil-in the name into my swatch book. Its great to hear about the different methods from other people in the hobby

[@MarianFord-y5z]

My favorite method of ink swatching is to test by writing with a kakimori brass nib pen and to make big circles with the cap of an ink sample vial.

[@Cherry_Scary]

I have a Col-O-Ring swatch book, and every ink i get gets a q-tip swatch and the name written with my glass dip pen. I do occasionally use the ink sample vials for circle swatches, though I need to find a "condiment cup" equivalent for larger swatches! I did see a journaler who did a ink puddle that they dabbed off with a ziploc bag to create some interesting textures and ink pooling spots that was fun for big large splashy swatches. I might need to give that method a go!

[@cindyplansherlife]

Loved this video and the giveaway. I like to swatch my inks with a pipet and glass dip pen as of right now. I really like all the other ideas as I am just starting out.

[@erro0257]

Great video!! Very helpful and informative. If I could add, when looking for unconventional swatching tools - test if water and/or ink will cling to the tool. I tried to use the rim of a shot glass and the ink just rolls off, never leaving enough ink to make a good mark on the paper. I have also played with silicone clay brushes - some will accept a bit of ink and some it just rolls off.

[@AudTalksPens]

Thank you for all of the inspiration I have gotten from your videos. My favourite method is the plastic bag. I learned it from KarynaLovesToPlan, and I use it all the time. It's very easy to drop a couple of ink drops on paper and then squish them with a plastic bag. And thank you for making the ink swatches large enough to see properly :)

[@Tbear5777]

I am a new to fountain pens, and have never swatched ink before. My first bottle of ink is on it's way to me now, and I cannot wait to see it on paper!

[@lianelikes]

Welcome to the world of fountain pens! I'm excited for you!

[@MissMarilynDarling]

I was into art for a bit so I have all kinds of tools I used to swatch inks , I had a c3 broad nib, many brushes, pilot parallels, dead brush pen , knife , spoon, fork, tweezers, dip pen nibs, glass dip pen , glass stir rod , top of a ink sample, q tips, kakimore stainless steel nib, Van Diamans Ink Muddler < this is a cool tool check it out its got a dip nib on one side and a flattened ball on the other its perfect for doing swatches without having too many tools, Serendipity with a #6 jowo broad nib, Ivory Victorian 10k dip pens, empty pens, sink sponge , tooth brush , I think thats it :) Great video Keep up the good work :)

[@lunarstar29]

I just got the Kakimori brass nib dip pen at the Atlas sidewalk sale and I love it! I also like to use a watercolor paint brush.

[@8randomprettysecret8]

Your art is beautiful 😍

[@haleyhammer1327]

I currently only have 2 inks that I just got within the last week and the way I swatched them when I got them was with a q-tip onto TRP. But I am really loving and interested in the *art* of ink swatching and am definitely going to fall down this rabbit-hole

[@purlsandpolish]

I'm still pretty new to fountain pens but I saw someone using a glass mixing stick and i just ordered some to try it out!

[@Adventuresover40]

Swatching inks is my happy place. Therapeutic for me. Depending on what book I swatch in, I either use an ink muddler or a sandwiche bag. On cards I use a paintbrush. When I first started I used the back of a glass dip pen (still use that's sometimes) I love all the ways you have done it.

[@frantasticpins]

I love how bread clips are part of your swatching tools! I have only been into fountain pens and inks this year, so I have only tried cotton swabs and my Pilot dip pen. I definitely have been wanting to make my ink swatch pages look more “artistic” and less “documentary” if that makes sense at all?

[@LittleCocoStudio]

Loved this video, Liane! Not me looking all over my home now to find ink swatching opportunities. 😅 I’m going to try the bread clip immediately! I’ve been nervous to try a glass dripping pen because I’m clumsy, but now I’m reconsidering that because that line looked crisp! 😍👌

[@lianelikes]

Please give the bread clips and a glass dip pen a try!

[@CraftyKrystal]

I like using a dip pen and also "shaking" some ink onto the page so it splatters a bit!

[@duyguseviker]

Thank you for the giveaway! 🌸 To swatch my inks, honestly I just use the back of my Edding brush pens 😅 I don’t own anything like a glass dip pen and I feel like q tips take most of the ink up so brush pen it is! 🤩

[@almis4396]

I usually swatch in watercolor paper cards using wet paper technique just for the fun of watching the colors to do fancy movements and in a notebook with a ink well stamp and qtips. I like to use actual fountain pens to check the true color while writing. I’m thinking about getting a Kakimori steel nib, maybe later.

[@mrsttwo2nd]

My current method of swatching is using a syringe to get a little bit of ink and then using a solid wax seal to make a circle and then I have a Komamono Lab Fonte glass pen to write the ink names.

[@cjcooper4370]

I haven’t been in the fountain pen game very long, but I have sampled about 30 different inks, and I’ve only used q-tips. I generally write out what the ink is, draw a box with hash marks in it, do a water test on that box because I like waters effect on the inks, then make a big smear with the q-tip, and write a Bible verse and my wife’s name because I always want to be able write her name elegantly when I write her little letters and notes.

[@Sammaxhar]

Thanks for the giveaway! 🥰 I have used only qtips for swatching my inks. I have always wanted to use a glass dip pen but I haven’t been able to acquire one. 😕

[@jadec2180]

I've been using a dip nib, and turning it over for a bigger swatch.

[@jamieloom22]

Playing with inks if fun

[@pamelaho3499]

I love swatching with glass rods and the kakimori bullet style (brass/steel) nibs. While the kakimori nibs are great for swatching, I also use the Pilot Iro-usushi to write because I find the colours closer to when I use them in pens.

[@erro0257]

At the moment, when I swatch I use a Kakimori dip nib and 3 silicone brushes - one to make a fair sized circle to see sheen and what a large amount of the ink looks like, one to make a broad line with to see if it shades, and one to push the ink into a random pattern (with this brush I have noticed that dry inks are hard to push around and wet are not so it is my unscientific viscosity test

[@marjoriemarlowe8978]

I do Wearingeul swatch cards and book. I use a paint brush, dip pen and kakimori nib. I find it relazing to watch and swatch. Thanks

[@krakentowa8727]

Mmmmmmmm…relish in that old TRP. I have two A5 notebooks that are for sure from Machine 7 (RIP)…….Ive just started using one of them and am enjoying it very slowly.

[@RG-yf3uj]

P.S. I also like using a brow brush &

[@FromStudioZ]

Where can I purchase a toolbox like yours? I use toolboxes also. Yours looks like what I am looking for. This video is extra fun!!

[@lianelikes]

Hi! This box was purchased from Daiso quite a few years ago, I’m sure they have some version of it still!

[@FromStudioZ]

@@lianelikesthanks so much!!

[@nourin_siddique]

It has been so longgg... how are youu

[@lianelikes]

oh my word, you've tried it all!! I will definitely look into the Ink Muddler, thanks!