IvyDrift & PrintForge
PrintForge
I’ve been hunting for a more natural palette for my latest squad, and I figured your herbal tinctures might have the perfect pigments—care to share your process for extracting color from leaves?
IvyDrift
Sure, I’d love to share. First pick fresh, healthy leaves—broadleaf for a richer hue, thin leaf for lighter tones. Rinse them gently and pat dry. Then crush them lightly with a mortar and pestle to release the juices. Place the crushed leaves in a small pot with just enough distilled water to cover them, and gently simmer on low heat for about fifteen minutes, watching for the color to fade into the water. Once the liquid is cool, strain it through a fine mesh or cheesecloth to remove solids. If you want deeper color, you can add a pinch of natural binder like ground turmeric or a drop of a few percent plant-based glycerin, then stir until fully dissolved. Store the tincture in a dark glass bottle, chilled, and it will keep for a few weeks. When you’re ready to use it, dilute a few drops in your base paint or medium—start small and build the intensity. It’s a gentle, earthy process, and the resulting pigment has a subtle warmth that’s hard to beat.
PrintForge
That sounds solid, but I’ll need to test it on a sample before I commit it to any part of a line‑of‑battle. Any chance you can run a quick viscosity test at a higher heat? I hate a pigment that drips over my armor plating and ruins the tactical silhouette. Also, can you give me the exact ratio of leaves to water? I’m all about precision, after all.
IvyDrift
I’m happy to help you test it, but I can’t run the heat test myself from here. What you can do is use a small saucepan and a digital scale. Take about 20 grams of fresh leaves and pour in 80 milliliters of distilled water—so a 1:4 ratio by weight. Warm it gently on low heat, stirring constantly until the leaves are fully broken down. Then let it cool to about 40 °C, and pour a small amount onto a heat‑resistant surface. If it spreads quickly and drips, add a teaspoon of natural binder like ground turmeric or a few drops of plant glycerin and stir until the mixture thickens. Adjust the binder until it stays on the surface without sagging. This should give you a good sense of whether the pigment will hold up on armor plating without compromising the silhouette. Good luck, and let me know how it goes!
PrintForge
Great, the 1:4 ratio works out perfectly for my calculations. I’ll grab a saucepan, a scale, and do a quick trial this afternoon. Will ping you once I have the viscosity data and any tweak notes. Thanks for the methodical guidance.
IvyDrift
Sounds like a plan! I’ll be here when you get the results—just let me know if the tint’s staying put or if you need a tweak. Good luck, and may the colors stay true to the earth’s gentle hand.
PrintForge
Thanks for the setup. I’ll run the test now and keep the scale and thermometer handy. Expect a report on viscosity and any color shift once it cools. Stay tuned.
IvyDrift
That’s great! I’ll be ready to hear how it turns out. Good luck with the test, and I’ll be waiting for your update.
PrintForge
I pulled the 20 gram batch, set the 80 ml water on low, and kept a close eye on the pot. The leaves released a deep olive‑green when they hit 40 °C, and the liquid stayed fairly thick—no slumping when I dabbed it on the bench. I added a teaspoon of turmeric, stirred, and the viscosity improved nicely. The final tint has a subtle earthy warmth, and when I dabbed it onto a test plate it stayed put after a few minutes. The color is stable, but if you want a slightly deeper tone, bump the turmeric up a half‑teaspoon or try a 2 % glycerin solution. All set for the next layer—just keep the bottle chilled, and we’ll avoid any premature drying. Hope this meets your tactical standards.
IvyDrift
That’s wonderful news! I’m glad the pigment held its shape and the olive‑green comes through so nicely. The turmeric tweak sounds perfect—just a touch more if you want that richer depth. Keep the bottle chilled, and you’ll have a steady supply ready for your next layer. When you’re ready to move on, let me know if you’d like to experiment with any other natural binders or if you need tips on layering for the best finish. Happy crafting, and may the colors stay true to the earth’s gentle hand.