A few months ago, I was strolling through the art supply store in search of something new. I noticed a small bottle of watercolour ink with the name Petrol on it. I love the teal colour and it was an extremely affordable ink. Naturally, it came home with me. Thus I was introduced to the company Marabu.
As I painted with the petrol ink, I found it wonderfully pigment-rich. Soon afterwards, I got a set of the primary colour inks.
These inks do not come with dropper-tops. Pouring makes a big mess. Also, you only need a few drops. So getting a few droppers is good idea.
I was able to create many colours from the six bottles that I got.
The colours lift off very easily. If you like layering, you will have to adjust for that.
However, if you like to add details by lifting off colours, you will love working with these inks.
As a beginner, you are in luck. If you are unsatisfied with a part of your painting, you can lift off the colour and redo that area as long as your paper holds up. After you lift off the paint, let the paper dry completely over the next 24 hours before you paint on it again.
Since watercolour inks are already liquid, I find it extremely easy to work with them. These inks have very low to no granulation, resulting in smooth wash and painting.
The inks also flow very easily on both wet and dry paper.
Although I used Canson XL Series mixed media paper for my painting, I suggest the Canson XL Series watercolour paper. It is much thicker, good quality, easily acquired, and very affordable.
The leftover dried inks in the palette re-wet easily too. So no waste there.
If you are at the verge of wanting to try watercolour painting, definitely go this route. You won’t regret it.
As for my painting, I started off drawing the flowers with nothing specific in mind. As I continued to paint, it started looking like an undersea plant.
I fell in love with the deep ocean idea and called it Flowers Of The Deep. Felt very adventurous. Prints are now available in my shop. Would make a nice gift for any fantasy and scifi reader or a nature lover.
Hope you liked the painting and that it inspires you to play and have fun.
Until next time,
-Soma
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48 thoughts on “Flowers Of The Deep – Marabu Ink Review”
Tammie July 10, 2020 at 07:54
Lovely to read your review. You created beautiful colors in your chart.
And your painting is beautiful and a bit watery like you mention. Looking at it I feel like I am in a deep forest with a magical flower.
How about dipping your brush in the ink and then to the palette instead of a dropper?
BillieBee July 9, 2020 at 23:53
The flower is lovely. The colors are so rich!
Archie The Wonder Dog July 4, 2020 at 14:07
That looks beautiful – the original petrol ink you bought is a gorgeous colour. Thanks for furtling!
Janine @ Rainbow Hare June 29, 2020 at 15:31
That petrol ink is a beautiful colour and I love your flower. The inks look to have very pure colours and mix beautifully. If I ever take up painting, I shall certainly re-visit this post :)
Tanza Erlambang June 27, 2020 at 08:07
gorgeous colors….beautiful painting.
have a great weekend
Calendula June 25, 2020 at 02:58
Beautiful painting and colours!
Eileen June 25, 2020 at 02:31
Hello, It is a beautiful painting and a lovely flower. The color is gorgeous! Have a great day!
Tanza Erlambang June 24, 2020 at 16:37
excellent paintings
betty - NZ June 24, 2020 at 01:43
Such a wonderful painting! The simplicity of one color is astounding!
I’m glad you are a part of ‘My Corner of the World’ this week! Thanks for linking up.
Veronica Lee June 23, 2020 at 22:48
What a lovely painting!
A ShutterBug Explores June 23, 2020 at 10:36
absolutely stunning creation ~ Wow and I love the color!
Be Safe, Be Well,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Junieper/Jesh June 22, 2020 at 20:17
Great experimenting with a new watercolor brand. Had not heard of it (but also I don’t keep up), How the watercolor reacts goes so well together with your style Soma:) Many thanks for keeping us at All Seasons up to date:)Have a lovely time experimenting this summer.
Jesh
Margy June 22, 2020 at 12:36
That is a beautiful colour. Way back when they were doing colour charts for people, teal came out as the best colour for me to wear. I love all shades of blue in my home and to wear. I’ve never heard of watercolour ink before. It looks like it handles similar to watercolour paints. I need to get a palette tray so I can get started on some painting experiments myself. – Margy
Karen, Pixel Posts June 22, 2020 at 11:20
That’s a beautiful painting. Such a lovely colour.
Rain Frances June 22, 2020 at 10:33
Hi Soma :) Your Flowers of the Deep are beautiful! I am a big lover of any tint of blue and your teal is gorgeous! Wonderfully done and thank you for the great review of the petrol ink, very interesting! It’s so hard to choose a medium when you don’t know the products, so trusted reviews come in very handy!
BLOGitse June 22, 2020 at 02:39
Ooooh, one of my favorite colors with a beautiful creation!
Luisella June 21, 2020 at 23:18
How nice to work with all those beautiful colours!…
Tarang June 21, 2020 at 06:39
It’s really beautiful!
Haven’t heard of petrol ink. Will check. And Canson is the first brand that I used. Now, I like Coneco (for watercolours) because of its super rough texture. Also, I have started painting in acrylics. :)
Carol June 21, 2020 at 04:47
the teal color is really beautiful – love it!
Lisa | Handmade in Israel June 21, 2020 at 01:27
Beautiful! It looks like you have found the perfect medium for you.
NatureFootstep June 21, 2020 at 00:51
this looks amazing. Not sure if they are can be found in Sweden.
Your final painting is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing how it was created. :)
Kim June 20, 2020 at 16:12
Soma, your Flowers in the Deep painting is gorgeous. The colour of the ink is truly beautiful, isn’t it.
Sandra Walker June 20, 2020 at 13:01
My favourite colour! I love that paintings kind of ‘become’, much like so many quilts do.
Nicole/DVAtist June 20, 2020 at 10:40
Wow this is absolutely gorgeous. I just started working with inks that a friend gave me. I find them very easy to work with. Thanks for this post.
Susan Mann June 19, 2020 at 12:01
What a beautiful flower. Your painting is incredible. The depth and the shades are captured perfectly x
Linda Calverley June 19, 2020 at 11:43
Beautiful painting
Linda Kunsman June 19, 2020 at 10:49
really beautiful painting Soma! thanks for sharing about these watercolors. I have Marabu brand acrylic sprays. My watercolors are Peerless and Daniel Smith. Have a great weekend, and happy PPF!
Jean Marmo June 19, 2020 at 09:33
Wow – this is just stunning! I do have a few watercolor inks but have not yet mastered their use. I need to try again. Thank you for the inspiration!
Kathy June 19, 2020 at 09:32
beautiful painting-I love your piece
Barbara June 19, 2020 at 06:53
Gorgeous work, and so interesting about no-waste paints that “lift off”! I was not aware of them, will take a look!
sharon gullikson June 19, 2020 at 06:44
How beautiful. I LOVE your talent…
Susan June 19, 2020 at 03:41
Gorgeous! Your instructions are very helpful as well Happy PPF
Anesha June 19, 2020 at 01:53
Wow, this is stunning!!!
Elke June 19, 2020 at 00:07
What a pretty flower picture You can paint so wonderful!
Have a happy Weekend, Elke
Valerie-Jael June 18, 2020 at 23:20
Hi Soma! Love your beautiful floral painting, wonderful colours, too. And thanks for showing how you did it. Happy PPF, stay safe and well, Valerie
riitta k June 18, 2020 at 22:29
What a beautiful daylily you have painted <3 Wishing you sunny & happy midsummer weekend!
Lady Fi June 18, 2020 at 22:14
What a beautiful painting.
Angie June 18, 2020 at 21:27
Soma – so glad to see you posting again. The teal color is so rich – it does remind me of the scuba dives we have done, and hope to repeat once travel is in our new normal. Enjoy your weekend!
Robyn Vaughan June 18, 2020 at 17:43
Lovely watercolour. I think that teal colour was calling you.
Sue June 18, 2020 at 16:06
Beautiful piece.
Kate Powell June 18, 2020 at 15:00
Are they lightfast? Beautiful paitning.
Mary June 18, 2020 at 12:46
It’s always so interestIng to read your techniques. How do you “lift off” a color? With water? I’ve never done watercolor. That is a luscious color! I’m fascinated with the chart of color lines. Is that adding other colors or diluting the paints. So interesting!
Christine June 18, 2020 at 12:23
Wonderful piece thanks for sharing your experience with the paint.
gillena June 18, 2020 at 09:55
Beautiful magic, bringing to life with your paints
I am inviting you to join my linky on Sundays where i ask what’s your Sunday like
much❧✿❧love
Dixie June 18, 2020 at 08:40
Beautiful painting, Soma!
O my… that wonderful vibrant ink creates great depth in your competent hands.
“Flowers of The Deep” also looks wonderful in its frame.
Susan June 18, 2020 at 08:40
Beautiful painting. I am definitely not an artist, but it makes me want to try them.
Jennifer Jilks June 18, 2020 at 05:41
You are quite talented. I love them!
Michelle June 17, 2020 at 23:58
Gorgeous!
Michelle