I love Lexington Grey ink. It’s my favorite ink for drawing, harmonizing with overlain watercolors better than harsh black. It’s totally waterproof and resistant to UV and even bleach too. It’s dark enough for writing and is a well-behaved on paper. With more ink, it gets darker and darker. Unlike graphite, it doesn’t sheen, can be intensified as much as desired by adding layers, and it doesn’t muddy washes. I prefer it to waterproof blacks for drawing. It’s a lovely color, great to use for both sketching and writing. It also works well when loaded into a waterbrush. Or you can make dilutions and load those.
It's a real shame that you can not really buy it in Japan. (Little bit weird also as they are obsessed with inks etc. but there you go) It seems that a lot of pen and watercolour artists use it. The grey one also looks very nice.
Lexington Grey is very much a beautiful ink and I use it all the time with my Lamy Vista. It shades well, it's bulletproof, and it's cheap. What's not to love?
I just stumbled on this video! The guy who makes Noodler's inks is quite a character. He's in the US in western Massachusetts and a bunch of his inks have names that are a nod to our state. I live not far from Lexington, Mass. Another great shading ink is Noodlers 54th Massachusetts which is a rich blue-black. They must be super hard for you to get!
I have been using Lexington Grey more than black in sketches. It seems less harsh than black & balances better with water color. If you wanted to try a cool grey Noodler's 54th Massachusetts works well too. Choosing which one depends on the subject of course.
Hi Teoh! I have been using this ink mostly for shading - I loaded a Kuretake brush pen with it and it works great for quick shading, specially on the road. Thank you for the review!
Hi Teoh I use intensively Lexington grey both for writing and drawing. It is especially pleasant with a Moonman that I have with a fine and smooth nib.
Italiani/e che state guardando questo video: Il link che ha messo Teoh manda a 54th Massachussets. Per il Lexington cliccate su "venditori", cercate "Stilo e Stile" e cliccate sul nome del negozio. Nella pagina web di Stilo e Stile cliccate su "Prodotti" scrivete nel riquadro di ricerca "Lexington" et voilà Noodler's Lexington.
Ops. Well I don't know if they stopped producing it, I know that the Italian fountain pen shop I indicated still has it in stock. www.ebay.it/itm/Noodlers-Fountain-Pen-Ink-Inchiostro-per-Penne-Stilografiche-All-colors-/322465037291?var=&hash=item4b1469fbeb:m:m2GCQXINUeMBV--Vzm_Olyg
I prefer a black ink, but it’s good to see that the grey works really well. I had their bulletproof black ink and it was NOT waterproof for me which was super sad. :(
I do not have a top 5 but my favourites currently are Daniel Smith, Winsor & Newton, Kremer Pigments (not in order). The artist grade paints from top manufacturers are quite comparable in quality. My general advice is to get something that is easy for you to replace in the future when the paint runs out.
Yes. I usually use it a bit diluted and it stays waterproof. I have also mixed it with other colors like a tiny bit of turquoise for a cooler ink, and if you go over that with water, the turquoise bleeds but the grey doesn't. I like this ink because it doesn't clog my pens at all.
+Juan Morales Just add water to dilute. I personally prefer cooler than warmer gray tone for ink washes. Strangely for markers, I prefer warm tone. lol
I'm going re-upload the review for the Golden Brown ink after I fix the video.
I love Lexington Grey ink. It’s my favorite ink for drawing, harmonizing with overlain watercolors better than harsh black. It’s totally waterproof and resistant to UV and even bleach too. It’s dark enough for writing and is a well-behaved on paper. With more ink, it gets darker and darker. Unlike graphite, it doesn’t sheen, can be intensified as much as desired by adding layers, and it doesn’t muddy washes. I prefer it to waterproof blacks for drawing. It’s a lovely color, great to use for both sketching and writing. It also works well when loaded into a waterbrush. Or you can make dilutions and load those.
It's a real shame that you can not really buy it in Japan. (Little bit weird also as they are obsessed with inks etc. but there you go) It seems that a lot of pen and watercolour artists use it. The grey one also looks very nice.
My favorite thing is doing a search for exactly this type of comparison and finding that someone I am subbed to has made the video :)
Really like this ink. I often mix it with about 1/4 bulletproof black. Really good waterproof and quick-drying properties!
Lexington Grey is very much a beautiful ink and I use it all the time with my Lamy Vista. It shades well, it's bulletproof, and it's cheap. What's not to love?
Machibex bulletproof?😆😆😆
Noodler’s ink is such good value, great quality and impressive range of colours.
Thank you for the video, finally a real-life demonstration of how waterproof the Lexington is!
+Rime-e-Lettere Thanks 😁
I just stumbled on this video! The guy who makes Noodler's inks is quite a character. He's in the US in western Massachusetts and a bunch of his inks have names that are a nod to our state. I live not far from Lexington, Mass. Another great shading ink is Noodlers 54th Massachusetts which is a rich blue-black. They must be super hard for you to get!
I have been using Lexington Grey more than black in sketches. It seems less harsh than black & balances better with water color. If you wanted to try a cool grey Noodler's 54th Massachusetts works well too. Choosing which one depends on the subject of course.
Is the 54th ink waterproof, did you test it? Thanks!
Hi Teoh! I have been using this ink mostly for shading - I loaded a Kuretake brush pen with it and it works great for quick shading, specially on the road. Thank you for the review!
Ireally like the grey, thanks for showing it. And i just ordered some.
I find the noodlers brown is also pretty waterproof. I love the lexington
Thanks Teoh. You answered all the questions I had about using this for drawing. It goes well with graphite.
Teoh , good review. I have this ink and as I've said before , ...waterproof is most important to me.
Hi Teoh I use intensively Lexington grey both for writing and drawing. It is especially pleasant with a Moonman that I have with a fine and smooth nib.
It's my goto ink these days and I've tried dozens and dozens of different inks. Dries quickly enough for us lefties too.
i use and like this ink for draw and wash. thnaks for this review Theo
Thank you Teoh! Nice work. I enjoy your videos and always learn something about both the ink and how to make my own drawing just a little bit better.
i really like these ink videos, very helpful when you try to figure out what ink to buy. Thanks!
this is a very lovely color!
I already have the ink, and now I want that pen of yours! I thought I wanted an architect's nib, but now I better check out this cross music nib.
That nib is very difficult to find nowadays, and selling at a higher price than before. That's due to the company making limited supplies
thank you, Teoh :D
That's a very nice cool grey. ^_^ Pencil and graphite would work well with it. Thanks for the review.
Italiani/e che state guardando questo video:
Il link che ha messo Teoh manda a 54th Massachussets. Per il Lexington cliccate su "venditori", cercate "Stilo e Stile" e cliccate sul nome del negozio.
Nella pagina web di Stilo e Stile cliccate su "Prodotti" scrivete nel riquadro di ricerca "Lexington" et voilà Noodler's Lexington.
Ops. Well I don't know if they stopped producing it, I know that the Italian fountain pen shop I indicated still has it in stock. www.ebay.it/itm/Noodlers-Fountain-Pen-Ink-Inchiostro-per-Penne-Stilografiche-All-colors-/322465037291?var=&hash=item4b1469fbeb:m:m2GCQXINUeMBV--Vzm_Olyg
in the video you said lexington grey have cold color while in jetpens classify it as warm color. However it looks cold in the video.
It looks cold to me, and also when compared to other diluted grays
I prefer a black ink, but it’s good to see that the grey works really well. I had their bulletproof black ink and it was NOT waterproof for me which was super sad. :(
+Meow Meow Kapow I've friends who reported that the ink is not waterproof also. Mine is waterproof but on some paper it is not as waterproof
Me too! I went with Carbon Platinum black and there is no comparison. The Carbon is much more waterproof and gets there really quickly.
Teoh, I didn't quite hear what fountain pen/nib shape/size you are using. Sailor ??
sailor cross music, I think
thanks, Juan
Teoh, @3:57 I can see a eye (her right eye) in the shade of the sunglasses did you sketch that in lightly or is this my imagination? Just curious :)
great stuff teoh, say, do you have any top 5 or top 10 watercolors video? it would be awesome
I do not have a top 5 but my favourites currently are Daniel Smith, Winsor & Newton, Kremer Pigments (not in order). The artist grade paints from top manufacturers are quite comparable in quality. My general advice is to get something that is easy for you to replace in the future when the paint runs out.
thanks, I was going to get some holbeins watercolors, I read the review in your website
I have this ink and I like it very much :)
Hi teoh, great vid. Is the bulletproof still bulletproof when diluted? thx
Yes. I usually use it a bit diluted and it stays waterproof. I have also mixed it with other colors like a tiny bit of turquoise for a cooler ink, and if you go over that with water, the turquoise bleeds but the grey doesn't. I like this ink because it doesn't clog my pens at all.
Thank you Lisa, i use grey in abstract doodles, and thx for the info on mixing other shades
How'it for writing? Or is it strictly an art ink intended for drawing, which I have less than zero skill/aptitude for?
You can definitely write with it. Really depends on whether you like gray-coloured text in this case
I wonder how it would work for adding tone to painting, as in grisaille.
hi teoh, how did you dilute the black ink? just mix ink and water? I actually did like the diluted ink more lol
+Juan Morales Just add water to dilute. I personally prefer cooler than warmer gray tone for ink washes. Strangely for markers, I prefer warm tone. lol
thanks bro
is it normal for ink to harden and stick to a dip pen nib? is it a pen or ink problem? I am new to drawing with dip pens
+Nino Svimonishvili That's normal. Pigmented inks will usually leave an even thicker coat.
What pen and nib is that?
Got my answer from the video! Thanks!
Cool grey is nice:)
NICEEEE
+1 sub
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It looks like pencil
Woah I am so early :D
Meh... Lexington Gray is just... ok. Thanks for the review Teoh.