Studio Process & Material Making > Acorn Cap Ink

Gathered acorn caps

2019

Cover the acorn caps with water and simmer until the water reduces at least by half. Adding a piece of rusty metal can help darken and shift the color.
*Recipe courtesy of Jason Logan (featured in his book "Make Ink")

2019

After a few hours, the water has reduced and darkened significantly.

2019

After the acorn caps are strained out, the warm ink is filtered through a coffee filter to catch any small debris.

2019

Acorn cap ink tests (a small amount of gum arabic is added to aid with the flow of the ink)

2019

Acorn cap ink tests (top left & bottom right), black walnut & charcoal ink test (middle)

2019