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!
That sounds solid, thanks! I’ll try the beetroot mix and keep a tiny sample to test the sheen first. Glycerin might add a nice glow, but I’ll watch the ratio so it doesn’t turn into a paint job. I’ll let you know how the swatch turns out—maybe I’ll tweak the folklore motif once I see the color in real light. Appreciate the heads‑up!
Sounds like a lovely plan! I’m excited to hear how it turns out. Just remember to keep the glycerin in moderation—too much can make the pigment a bit slick. Good luck, and I’ll be here when you’re ready to share the results. Take care of your sketching, and let the plants guide you.
Thanks! I’ll keep the glycerin low and let the plant vibes flow. I’ll ping you once the swatch settles. Talk soon!