Digital BW, The Print

You're all crackers. Funny. But crackers :)

Colin.

------
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in
return."
- from Nature Boy by eden ahbez

"Noli Illegitimus Carborundum"
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steadman Uhlich" <steadmanuhlich@...>
To: <piezography3000@yahoogroups.com>;
<DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2001 2:44 PM
Subject: [Digital BW] How Carbon Pigment Inks are Made: Tour of the Plant
(wINK)


> Nij,
>
> The process you outline below may be the manufacturing process for
"ordinary" carbon inks, but I understand that Jon Cone has a different
(secret) source that involves:
>
> 1.  It is only produced by a small "distillery" that has been a family
business since 1725
>
> 2.  This ink distillery is located on one of the islands that dot the
coast of Scotland...no one knows which island which adds to the secret and
special character.  The island is so remote that the ancient Scottish
dialect (celtish) is used and is not understood "off island."
>
> 3. They only use natural artesian spring water and only produce the ink on
months with an "R"
>
> 4.  The distillery uses local peat for heating...this is important as the
peat imparts a certain "atmosphere" to the ink as the peat burns...this
gives the carbon ink a certain "smokiness" that is lovely on the print.  In
addition the distillery is sited very close to the sea and has a open area
where the open vats of fresh ink cool.  During this cooling period, the ink
absorbs some of the salt air and characteristic seaweed aromas from the
rocky shore.  This aroma gives the ink another complex note in the nose and
some say the bouquet of the ink is "delightfully complex with hints of
hazelnuts."  Go ahead and smell an ink sample and I am sure you will also
get the "fresh roasted hazelnut" aroma. Lovely aroma and bouquet.
>
> 5.  The ink is carefully crafted one barrel at a time by master ink makers
who pass the position down from father to son generation after
generation...since 1725
>
> 6.  The ink barrels are imported from the Burgundy and Congnac departments
of France where they had previously been used for aging fine liqours.  Each
barrel is over 12 years old and hand crafted of the finest old growth white
oak, imported from Canada and US...where the trees can still be found.
>
> 7. The ink is aged in these oak barrels for a secret amount of time..  We
don't know how long but it does impart another subtle character to the inks.
>
> 8.  After aging, the ink is carefully decanted for the master ink maker to
test.  This is a very critical test that involves his nose and years of
experience.  I am told that the master ink Maker actually takes a small sip
of the ink and swirls it around his mouth to test the "palette" of the ink.
This test involves more than a piece of hardware...it involves the sense of
taste and years of experience.  By the way Master Ink Makers are known as
"the black lipped ones" in the local markets and it is a badge of honor in
the local community.
>
> 9.  If the Maker approves, the ink is decanted in small batches to small
nalgene bottles for shipment around the world...where it is eagerly awaited
by fine art printmakers...who treat it like "black gold."   I am told these
fine art print makers typically open the small bottles of the precious stuff
and smell the bouquet before using it and always look to see the small batch
number and vintage.
>
> 10.  I hope you enjoyed this little "virtual tour" of the ink process, but
remember that this is just the story as told to me...no one knows for
sure...all we can be sure of is the high quality.
>
> (wINK)
>
> Best regards,
> Steadman
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Nij
>   To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
>   Sent: Friday, October 19, 2001 6:31 AM
>   Subject: RE: [Digital BW] Indelible Inks
>
>
>   I thought the procedure for getting carbon pigment(ed) ink was as
follows:
>     Sharpen 5000 2B pencils to stubs and hopper the shavings (they use the
2B
>   to get the blacker carbon, I understand)
>     Run the pencil shaving through a special wood shaving extractor, or
burn
>   in an ashtray;
>     They then use a **** multichef to mix the carbon in with the liquid
>   carrier and add a bit of dye (dependent upon which ink is being
>   manufactured).
>
>   The liquid ink is then piped into the cartridges, and left to stand for
two
>   hours before sealing (the carts).
>
>   Hope this is helpful to someone ;)
>
>   Nij
>