How to Make Ink Using Petals

Overview

Botanical inks typically rely on materials containing tannin. For centuries, ink-makers used the "galls" nestled in oak trees as a primary ingredient in black ink. The tannin-rich barks of dogwood and alder trees also yield quality, natural inks. While galls and barks achieve more intense, lasting inks than most flower-based inks, Egyptians achieved quality red ink with poppies. To make red poppy ink, use field poppies (Papaveraceae rhoeas). Produce ink either by mixing a liquid "tea" of fresh petals with alcohol, or by first drying and grinding flowers into a powdered pigment, then mixing the dry pigments with linseed oil.

Liquid Ink Method

Step 1

Harvest poppies or other flowers any time during the growing season.

Step 2

Separate petals from the rest of the flower. You need about 1 cup poppy petals.

Step 3

Place petals in a ceramic or glass bowl.

Step 4

Boil water in a kettle. You will only need enough to cover the poppy petals.

Step 5

Pour boiling water over petals.

Step 6

Leave the water-poppy mixture to steep overnight.

Step 7

Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth-lined strainer, reserving the liquid and discarding the poppy pulp.

Step 8

Add a few drops isopropyl alcohol, which will help preserve the ink.

Step 9

Pour the ink into a bottle. Use a short, squat ink bottle or a wide-mouthed jelly jar or similar glass canister.

Step 10

To use with a traditional fountain pen, simply dip the pen in the ink bottle as needed.

Step 11

Alternatively, purchase professional ink cartridges, ink syringes and other ink-mixing equipment from a pen supply store.

Powdered Pigment Method

Step 1

Pick poppies, pansies, roses, violets or any other intensely-colored petals.

Step 2

Hang the flowers upside down for several weeks until the petals are completely dry. Alternatively, use a dehydrator overnight.

Step 3

Grind the petals in a coffee bean grinder, reducing the petals to a fine powder.

Step 4

Mix the powder with enough linseed oil to moisten the ink, adding additional linseed oil a little at a time until you achieve the consistency you prefer. Use walnut oil instead of linseed oil, if desired.

Step 5

Dip a pen or feather quill into the ink for writing, or use a fine paintbrush to draw or paint with the petal-pigment ink.