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I just could not wait any longer to get the news to everyone.  If you read the last newsletter; I was putting the Daler Rowney FW Black in my tech pen and putting it through the paces to compare it to the 3080F.  After using the Antelope Brown in the tech pen for inking people and soft florals; I was wondering how the actual black color would work in the pen with the possibility that it could replace the 3080F Universal Black ink.  The reason I use airbrush paint in the pen for color instead of actual colored ink is because colored ink is not lightfast and permanent. FW is a rich acrylic pigment but not thick so it flows through the tip of an airbrush easily and will also flow through the tip of the tech pen. The 3080F has to be removed from the pen in a timely manner so the shellac does not coagulate and kill the pen, and there are so many other “touchy” issues in regards to using that particular ink in the pen.  The reason I felt that we HAD to use it was most importantly the fact that the shellac along with the black carbon particles that were in the ink is what made the ink the most permanent and lightfast!!  FW is acrylic paint that is not thick, but total pigment in ink form so it will flow easily through an airbrush, so it is easy to use in the tech pen.  It IS permanent and lightfast, so I tried it!

 Here are my findings:  after having the ink in my pen for over 3 months I found that every time I uncapped the pen and began to write with it there was absolutely no clogging.  I did not have to coax the pen at all to get the ink flowing and there was little to no burping needed to keep the pen working.  [That is a rapping technique used to start a stubborn pen.  You hold the pen point up with the cap off and rap the base of the pen on a hard surface to expel an air bubble or fleck of stubborn particle from the tip.]  Even having the pen sit for days at a time without being used; I found it started without any coaxing!

I just redesigned my Victorian Santa to update it and adapted it to a beautiful 14” Victorian plate that I etched.  I filled my tech pen with the FW Black and did the inking with it, sprayed it lightly to seal the surface and did the rouging.  I was thoroughly pleased with the inking and you can not even see a difference between the 3080F and the FW!!  I am so pleased with the look of the ink and the best thing is the correction work is still done with a cotton swab moistened with any glass cleaner containing ammonia, or better yet…straight household ammonia!  You seal with the Liberty Matte Spray, rouge over it, it works on the glass circles, wood, anything.  This is so exciting, and we have it in stock now!!!

After talking with Cindi; we decided to only stock the Antelope Brown and Black.  The product comes in a wide variety of colors, but those two are the only ones

I would use in my designs.  If you want other colors you can visit any art supply store that caters to the fine artist, airbrush or graphic artists.  We are selling it at $5.00 US [retail], but have other pricing for wholesale and my certified teachers.  Contact us if you have more questions regarding the use as well as care of your pen after using it.  I also recommend shaking the paint before putting it in the pen, then shaking the pen with the cap still on, before using it if the pen has sat for a while.  The paint has a tendency to settle and you want to make sure it is well mixed.

Here are the instructions for using and caring for your pen when using the FW as a replacement for 3080F Universal Ink:

PRINT THIS OUT SO YOU CAN USE IT FOR A QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE!

Shake the bottle vigorously because the paint has a tendency to settle and separate.  Squeeze the dropper a few times too, to make sure the paint inside it is mixed as well. 

Uncap the bottle and use the dropper to dispense paint into the cylinder.  As usual; do not overfill, and if using the pen for a small project, just add a small amount.

Correction work in you inking is still done with a cotton swab and any glass cleaner containing ammonia.   I still suggest storing your pen parts in ammonia when not using it for an extended period of time.

If you have ink in the pen and have not used it in a while; shake the pen itself, vigorously WITH THE CAP STILL IN PLACE.  Then uncap and use it to create your beautiful inking projects.

Spray sealing after inking is easy and just start by lightly misting the first coat over your inking.  After applying one or two mistings, you can go to regular amounts of spray to secure the fact that your surface is sealed enough to allow your rouging to move easily and also allow for correction.

CAUTION:  because you are using acrylic paint in the pen and there is no varnish or shellac additive; make sure your heavily inked areas are dried before you touch them.  When I am inking using the heavier gauge pens, there is a little more time needed to allow for drying.  This is important if you are using paper towel under your wrist to prevent the oil from your hands from getting onto the inking surface.

Storing the ink in the pen is not as scary as it was using the 3080F ink.  As I wrote earlier; I have had the paint in my pen for over 3 months and it still is working wonderfully.  Although I have applied this as a test; I still would not recommend storing it for this amount of time.

I hope this helps you in regards to lessening tedium of caring for your tech pen.  I shared this news with several students and friends at the HOOT show and many people purchased the paint eager to try it.  I will continue to share any new findings I come across!

Please call or email us for more details or questions you might have.  We sell wholesale to teachers and shop owners too!