This week, when the day job has allowed, I’ve been busy switch testing a batch of Krishna fountain pen inks. This is only the second brand of inks I have tested from India and I have to say, I’ve waited a long time to get hold of them. And was the wait worth it? Definitely. These 24 have been a real pleasure to meet. And what an eclectic bunch of characters they are too…

A good colour range BUT it’s the variety of different behaviours that is fascinating – from Pilot, Oster and Diamine to Rohrer & Kingner, Noodler’s and Herbin – you’ll recognise them. So plenty of chromatography, various consistencies of fluid, weird blending, sludge, shading, sheening and the whole range of bleaching outcomes. Tremendous fun! And amongst all of this variety some NEW wonders to behold – Pencil and Mint! And for those of you like me who are in love with Diamine purples check out Orchard Lily and Sea and Storm – very nice!!

Pencil – I haven’t come across anything like this before. A deep purple/brown/crimson ink, it blends with water to reveal gentle washes of red, crimson and a thin greyish green. It’s just so visually smooth and subtle. Works well with bleach and in my opinion has surely got to be included in any decent art journaler’s travel palette? I could’t resist creating some test art so if you haven’t seen it already link here.

Mint – This is another new one to me with plenty of sludge and unsurprisingly, no reaction with bleach. What was visually exciting is the very wide variety of greens that come out of solution when blended with water And a great handwriting colour too.

I think I’m right in saying that these are about to break in the USA anytime now, so if you’re lucky enough to get hold of some samples these will certainly keep you fascinated over the summer holidays. In my opinion Krishna have created a good range of colours and as i say, their behaviours are certainly entertaining. I have no idea what the price point will be but that Pencil is a must have for any serious ink geek no matter what the cost!.

Inks tested (top – down, left – right: Pencil, Chocolate, Shamrock, Palm Leaf, Pacha Avari, Ghat Green, Ochre, Mint, Sunburnt, Palasa, Brown Pink, Njaval, Bauhimia, Azalia Flora, Orchard Lily, Sea & Storm, Orchios, After Dark, Kot Massi, Silent Night Sky, Monsoon Sky, Sailor’s, Cool Breeze, Peacock.

If you’d like to buy any of the original art featured on my site you can purchase it on my ETSY shop site or contact me direct. 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 brushes and a Noodler’s Ahab for the ink work.

Ink samples very kindly donated by Krishna Inks

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.