Elowyn & Inker
Hey, I’ve been sketching some folklore motifs lately and wondering if there’s a way to use herbal pigments to give the designs a subtle glow. Ever mix ink and plant extracts in your tinctures? What’s your take on that?
Hey! I’ve done a few experiments with plant dyes before. A good start is to take a bright pigment like beetroot or turmeric, simmer it in water, then let it cool. Once it’s cooled, mix it with a thin layer of diluted, non‑toxic ink—something like a plain black or brown—so the color stays gentle but gets a little sheen. If you want that subtle glow, add a drop of glycerin or a little bit of beeswax to the mixture; it gives a soft, almost ethereal finish when it dries. Just keep the ratios low—too much pigment can be too intense, and too much ink can dull the color. Try it on a small swatch first, see how it feels. Good luck with your motifs!