As DIAMINE REGISTRAR’S iron gall ink passed well the testing, I decided to procure me a bit of SCABIOSA from GOULETS, to compare both behavior and color. Didn’t have time for the exhaustive inspection, so passed right away to “real world scenario” approach:
The conclusion: I love it. You need to know that I really went on it hard, soaking the paper with J. HERBIN GRIS NUAGE and PELIKAN BLUE BLACK, working not only in glazes, but also wet in wet and adding water with big brush in order to push it to the limits. SCABIOSA did give in a few spots, but only mildly, and considering the amount of water I threw at it, I’m completely satisfied.
In fact, I really like the bleeding that occurred here and there, loosening the line and blending with washes. For me it is actually a plus of this ink – if treated carefully, it can hold it’s ground and when wanted, it can give in and feather pleasantly. On top of that, a beautiful dusty shade of purple that did not go too dark by oxidation. Winner!
And yes, that drawing was the test driving of PIERCE.