Choosing the Right Ink　如何揀墨水

In this lesson, we turn ink knowledge into decisions. You will learn how to match ink to pen type (fountain, dip/glass, brush, fineliner, roller, ball), how paper changes the result, how purpose (notes, art, archival) guides the choice, and how to use a simple decision checklist before you fill, dip, or uncap. This is the practical bridge between Types of Inks I–II and the creative colour work in Mixing Colours.

本課把墨水知識轉成決策。您將學習如何按筆種（鋼筆、沾水／玻璃、毛刷、針筆、走珠、原子筆）、紙張與用途配墨，並用一份清單在灌墨前想清楚。

Start with the Pen, Not Only the Colour　先從筆開始，不只看顏色

Colour attracts the eye first — but the pen decides what chemistry is wise.

顏色最先吸引目光——但筆種決定哪種化學性質才明智。

Fountain pens　鋼筆

• Prefer inks labelled for fountain pens
• Dye inks for easy daily use and cleaning
• Fountain-safe pigment or iron gall only when you accept extra flushing
• Avoid India ink, acrylic ink, and dip-only calligraphy inks in the converter or cartridge system

• 優先選標明適合鋼筆的墨
• 日常易用易洗：染料墨
• 僅在標明適合鋼筆且您願意更勤清洗時，才用鋼筆用顏料或鐵膽

Dip pens and glass pens　沾水筆與玻璃筆

• Wide freedom to sample dyes, many pigments, and shimmer
• Ideal for colour testing and decorative work
• Rinse between colours; remember glass fragility

• 可廣泛試染料、許多顏料與閃粉
• 極適合試色與裝飾書寫
• 換色之間請沖洗

Brush pens　毛刷筆

• Use the ink/refill system the tip is designed for
• Water-based dye tips suit practice lettering and vibrant sketches
• Pigment tips suit work that may meet moisture
• Do not force fountain-pen bottles into sealed marker-style pens unless the product is meant for refilling that way

• 使用該筆尖設計所配的墨／替換芯系統
• 水性染料尖適合練習美術字與鮮艷速寫
• 若要上水彩，選顏料／防水配方

Fineliners　針筆

• Choose tip size for the detail you need
• Choose pigment when you plan washes on top
• Cap always — the “right ink” fails if the tip is dried out

• 按所需細節選擇筆尖尺寸
• 計劃在線上加水渲染時選顏料
• 務必蓋好——「對的墨」若乾尖也會失效

Roller pens　走珠筆

• Water-based (or gel) smoothness and colour; watch dry time and smudging
• Cap when not in use

• 水性（或中性筆）的順滑與色彩；留意乾透時間與弄污
• 不用時蓋好

Ball pens　原子筆

• Oil-based convenience and speed; excellent for forms and quick notes when expressive ink play is not required

• 油性方便速乾；適合表格與快捷筆記——當您不需要表現性的玩墨時

Match Ink to Paper　按紙配墨

Paper is the silent partner in every ink choice:

紙張是每次選墨的沉默夥伴：

• Thin, absorbent notebook paper: Prefer drier-writing inks, finer tips, or better paper — wet fountain or brush inks may feather and bleed
• Fountain-pen-friendly or smooth sketch paper: Lets dye and shading inks show their character
• Heavy watercolour / mixed-media paper: Supports washes, brush work, and ink-and-wash layering
• Glossy or coated stock: May increase smear time; test dry time before important writing
• Very toothy or rough paper: Can fray fineliner and soft brush tips — use with care

• 薄而吸水的筆記簿紙：偏乾的墨、更幼的筆尖，或換更好的紙——濕潤鋼筆或毛刷墨可能滲開
• 優質鋼筆／速寫紙：可放心用較濕潤、較鮮艷的墨
• 光滑塗層紙：留意乾透與弄污

When possible, swatch a new ink on the same paper you will use for the real piece.

盡可能在您真正會用的同一種紙上試色。

Match Ink to Purpose　按用途配墨

Everyday notes and study　日常筆記與學習

• Reliable fountain dye ink, roller, or ball pen
• Priority: flow, legibility, reasonable dry time
• Fancy shimmer optional for headings only

• 可靠的鋼筆染料墨、走珠或原子筆
• 優先：出水、清晰度、合理乾透時間
• 閃粉可選，作標題點綴

Calligraphy practice　書法練習

• Ink that suits the tool: brush-pen ink for brush lettering; fountain or dip ink for nib practice
• Smooth practice paper reduces snags
• Save specialty shimmer for short hero lines once fundamentals feel steady

• 墨要配工具：毛刷美術字用毛刷筆墨；筆尖練習用鋼筆或沾水墨
• 光滑練習紙可減少毛邊、突出線質

Urban sketching and drawing　城市速寫與繪畫

• Pigment fineliner or waterproof sketch ink for outlines you will wash
• Brush pen for foliage, shadows, and expressive marks
• Fountain pen with a well-behaved ink for travel journals if you clean regularly

• 顏料針筆或防水速寫墨作輪廓（若要渲染）
• 毛刷筆作樹葉、陰影與富表現力的筆觸

Archival / keepsake / official-leaning writing　檔案／珍藏／偏正式書寫

• Favour permanence and water resistance appropriate to the pen
• Test before committing a long letter or certificate-style piece
• Store finished work away from prolonged direct sunlight when possible

• 按筆種選擇相稱的耐用性與防水性
• 寫長信或證書式頁面前先測試

Ink play and colour exploration　玩墨與探索色彩

• Glass pen + bottled inks
• Easy-clean fountain pens you dedicate to experiments
• Swatch cards for reference

• 玻璃筆＋瓶裝墨
• 易清洗、專門用來實驗的鋼筆
• 試色卡作參考

Decision Checklist　決策清單

Walk through these questions before you ink a pen:

灌墨前請先走過這些問題：

1. Which tool am I filling or using? (Fountain / dip-glass / brush / fineliner / roller / ball)
2. Is this ink explicitly suitable for that tool?
3. What is the job? (Fast notes / practice / finished art / wash outline / keepsake)
4. What paper will I use? Have I tested feathering and dry time?
5. Do I need water resistance? (Sweaty hands, rain, watercolour layer)
6. Am I willing to clean more often? (Pigment, iron gall, shimmer)
7. How long will the pen sit unused? (Choose easier inks or plan a flush)
8. Is colour the priority, or behaviour on the page? (Vibrant dye vs durable pigment)

• 我在灌／用哪種工具？（鋼筆／沾水－玻璃／毛刷／針筆／走珠／原子筆）
• 這瓶墨是否明確適合該工具？
• 紙會滲開、透背，還是托得住這墨？
• 用途要鮮艷日常、防水輪廓，還是偏檔案？
• 我願意為這墨付出多少清洗？

If you cannot answer “yes” to tool compatibility (question 2), stop and switch ink or switch tool.

若無法對工具相容性（問題 2）回答「是」，請停下，換墨或換工具。

Building a Small, Sensible Ink Kit　組一套精簡合理的墨水組合

You do not need dozens of bottles to start well. A practical I-WAY Academy starter set might include:

開始時無須數十瓶墨。一套實用的 I-WAY 學院入門組合可以包括：

• One reliable dark fountain-pen dye ink for notes
• One cheerful colour dye ink for annotations and practice
• One pigment fineliner for sketch outlines
• One brush pen for expressive lettering and sketch accents
• Optional: a glass pen for sampling bottled colours safely

• 一支可靠的深色鋼筆染料墨作筆記
• 一支明快染料色作批註與練習
• 一支顏料針筆作速寫輪廓
• （可選）玻璃筆＋一兩瓶玩色用瓶裝墨

Add specialty inks only when you enjoy the maintenance that comes with them.

只有在您樂於承擔相應保養時，才加入特效墨。

Brand Context Without Hard Sell　品牌脈絡，不作硬銷

Pierre Cardin Writing Instruments and I-WAY Academy focus on understanding tools and materials so your handwriting, calligraphy, and sketching improve with clear choices. The “right” ink is the one that fits your pen, paper, and purpose — not simply the loudest colour on the shelf.

Pierre Cardin Writing Instruments 與 I-WAY 學院著重理解工具與物料，讓您的字跡、書法與速寫因知情的選擇而進步——而不是被顏色行銷牽着走。

Conclusion　結語

Choosing ink is a matching exercise: pen + paper + purpose + maintenance willingness. Use the checklist, test swatches, and keep a small kit you actually understand. That habit prevents clogged pens, feathered pages, and disappointment — and it makes beautiful results more repeatable.

選墨是一場配對練習：筆＋紙＋用途＋您願意付出的保養。善用清單、試色，並維持一套您真正會用的小組合。

In our next lesson, Mixing Colours, we explore safe mixing basics for writing and drawing practice, what not to mix in fountain pens, swatch testing, and simple colour harmony for sketching and calligraphy.

下一課《混色》我們將探索書寫與繪畫練習的安全混色基礎、不應在鋼筆內混甚麼、試色測試，以及速寫與書法的友善色彩和諧。