Ecobra use

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Gillthepainter
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Ecobra use

Post by Gillthepainter »

After finding an old thread on the Ecobra pen, I've bought one for applying specifically a gold line on mounts for monoprints. That will be framed in gold with an antique white mat (I've attached an image of the frame I want).

So far, I've seen you use dipping ink, not inside a fountain pen ink.
That you have to keep it very clean, for obvious reasons if you want smooth edges.
It's better to use a dropper = that really works well, a super tip.

So, what ink is best. My old calligraphy ink is thick and stodgy at the bottom, not rescuable. Before I buy a new one, is calligraphy ink a good choice for this pen.

I've bought an expensive stationery shop one yesterday, and love it - it gives a round line, but the line is too thick.
If I narrow the Ecobra points, the ink doesn't flow. Is there a knack?
Do I just add water to the ink? Or does the ink reject the water.

So far, I can do gold lines, which is a fabulous result, and I could stop there. But not fine lines, so they are very visible. Do you have any advice for me please.

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JKX
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Re: Ecobra use

Post by JKX »

You can add water but sometimes the flow rate you need can diminish the effect

I started out with calligraphy and the ruling pen is just another pen really, so what worked for calligraphy worked with the ruling pen. I have an Ecobra too but it’s wider and flatter, and the top half of the nib can be pivoted for easy cleaning

I never used ink, well not coloured ink anyway, I used two blacks, an iron gall ink for copperplate and a Chinese stick ink which I used to grind myself but then bought it ready made - ‘Sumi’ ink.

Apart from those I used, in order of preference, gouache, watercolour and acrylic. It’s best to mix things yourself, give yourself control over flow and intensity.

I never found a good gold ink or paint, there were probably some out there but I gave up. I used real gold or gold foil, for calligraphy and for mount decoration - I’d draw lines (or whatever) in a variety of adhesives, usually diluted, and with colour, red for gold, black for silver (or white gold).

Favourite sizes (adhesives) are acrylic gloss medium, various PVAs and wundasize. Some can be lightly burnished, others can’t as they dry too soft .

Shell gold (the little tablet in the circular pan in one of the photos below) is also very good, it’s pure gold powder bound in gum Arabic which you use just like watercolour. (But you strain the water through muslin when you’re done!) it can be burnished

I load nibs with a brush and use a dropper, well, a pipette, for dilution.

All the gold lines here are real gold, even the silver one, it’s white gold.

I have now found a good gold paint though - Google it. Schminke calligraphers gouache.
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vintage frames
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Re: Ecobra use

Post by vintage frames »

Beautiful work on those mount samples.

What if ..

Stir some dry red ochre (Liberon) into some french polish.
Set down the ruler.
Use 1 Ecobra to draw a fine line of this polish.
Let dry for 10min.

Use a second Ecobra to draw a similar fine line of 3hour oil gold size, on top of the polish.
Take away the ruler.

After 3 hours, press on transfer gold leaf.

What could possibly go wrong?
Gillthepainter
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Joined: Thu 02 Aug, 2012 2:39 pm
Location: Cirencester
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Re: Ecobra use

Post by Gillthepainter »

Those mounts look absolutely beautiful
There's no doubt it enhances the frame, and is an art. I can see if our local art suppliers has Schminke callig. gouache = it's a huge place in Stroud.

3hr oil gold size. That might be a very good idea too. I know a brand C Roberson, as I have their gilding powder.

I will have to up my game.
And I want to do this for my gold frames, as a simple mount is nowhere near enhancing enough.

Listen, as always thank you for your time.
JKX
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Re: Ecobra use

Post by JKX »

Gillthepainter wrote: Sat 26 Jul, 2025 6:15 am I can see if our local art suppliers has Schminke callig. gouache = it's a huge place in Stroud.

That must be Pegasus, small world, it’s where I got mine from!

I only wanted the gold but their set of 5 was such a good price

It’s out of stock at the moment but maybe they have, or can get individual tubes.



https://www.pegasusart.co.uk/schmincke- ... l-tubes.ir



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Gillthepainter
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu 02 Aug, 2012 2:39 pm
Location: Cirencester
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Re: Ecobra use

Post by Gillthepainter »

I'm going there tomorrow, and will reccie. (I'm in Cirencester).
JKX
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Joined: Sun 08 Jan, 2023 10:25 pm
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Re: Ecobra use

Post by JKX »

They have got single tubes - you can see how that set was such a good price, maybe it was a mistake!

https://www.pegasusart.co.uk/schmincke- ... rs-x-12.ir
Gillthepainter
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu 02 Aug, 2012 2:39 pm
Location: Cirencester
Organisation: Crescent Art Space
Interests: Painting, frame making, sourdough baking

Re: Ecobra use

Post by Gillthepainter »

Thank you for sourcing that for me.
£12 is fine, and I get 10% off for being a local arty member (although I doubt that's for reduced items too).

Of course I have every gouache colour going, except gold 870!
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