Here is my last batch of 9 bleach swatch tested Private Reserve inks in the blacks and greens range.

Ebony Black – A rich black brown with hints of purple grey revealed when blended with water. A limited reaction with bleach in less dense areas. Deep dark sheen.

Chocolate Fast Dry – A dark red brown with deep purple, grey, pink and cyan revealed when blended with water. Limited reaction with bleach. Deep dark sheen.

Vampire Red – A brown red that blends easily with water. A good reaction with bleach turning white. Deep dark sheen.

Copper Burst – An ochre brown that reveals reds and yellows at its edges when blended with water. A dull reaction with bleach. Slight sheen evident.

Sepia – More of an olive colour grading unevenly to yellows and greens when blended with water. A good reaction with bleach. Great sheening.

Orange Crush – A deep brick red orange graduating evenly to red orange and yellow when blended with water. A dull reaction with bleach. Dark red brown sheen evident.

Shoreline Gold – Very similar to but slightly lighter than Orange Crush. A positive reaction with bleach. Red brown sheen evident.

Buttercup – A deep buttercup yellow becoming process yellow when blended with water. A limited reaction with bleach. Deep sheen.

Highlights Chartreuse – A typical yellow highlighting ink. A muted reaction with bleach.

Apart from the highlighting ink, these are a solid group of lovely colours. Private Reserve have been a little hit and miss, putting it mildly. But it’s not all bad by any means. Some of the range are very good. And some… woefully bad. I think my swatches show very clearly which are which. If it were me, I’d keep the good, ditch the bad and give myself the incentive to create strong and exciting replacement colours. There’s a positive opportunity here to get Terry’s legacy and brand back on track. How about it Private Reserve?

Announcement: I have finally given into pressure and opened an ETSY shop. If you’d like to buy any of the original art featured on my site you can purchase it here. I will do my upmost to add value to your investment over time – click here to access the shop . I am also accepting commissions for swatch tests. So, if you have a favourite ink(s) and some words for someone special, or maybe just for yourself, drop me a line and we can discuss further.

If you’d like to know more about this project, please take a look at the Mission Statement.

All tests on Bockingford 200lb watercolour paper using a dip pen with titanium zebra G flex nib for the bleach work and a Noodler’s Ahab for the ink work.

Ink samples sourced through Goulet Pens.

Just for the record – I do this for myself, I receive no remuneration what-so-ever and I tell it exactly how I see it.