This is going to be a little weird because it’s written for my much more developed and longstanding audience on instagram (many of whom have been with me for years), but I want to replicate what I’m doing over there so that folks know they can come here and find the same thing, so here it goes.

Because my focus on this microblog has always been to re-engage with educating, I don’t often get into the details of how I create my visuals here.

My goal is to create a visual that inspires a studious mindset, something that rehabilitates the idea of learning that we inherit from Western institutions, often as a rote and punitive practice. Learning is and can be a pleasure. So that’s what I aim to construct here.

But I also know many of you are interested in the how of how I create, so I wanted to incorporate more of that, both to show you what I use and also to share some of the de-influencing behind it as well.

Today I just wanted to highlight an ink I’ve been loving. I’ve been exploring the Filipino ink brand @inksbyvinta, a company with a mission to support education. So, I’ve been buying ink samples of their inks and trying to decide what I want to add to my collection.

A full bottle is a big commitment, which is why I’ve been testing samples first. A current favorite sample that I hope to add to my collection eventually is Pusan, this lovely, pale, color changing shimmer ink you see pictured. It has a beautiful silver shimmer and shades a more reddish purple with dark blues.

I feel inspired when I break it out and much more driven to create, even though it is lighter than my usual inks. I treasure that sense of joy.

QOTD: What is your go to writing color right now?

#vintainks #fountainpen #fountainpens #fountainpenink #hobinichitecho #notes #studying #academia #academicaesthetic

Pen: TWSBI 580 Iris M
Ink: Colorverse Cat’s Eye Nebula
Paper: Hobinichi Techo Life A6

I think it’s a pretty great pen and ink match. Still drying up in this image.

#fountainpen #fountainpencommunity #fountainpenink #hobinichi #hobinichitecho #colorverse #twsbi #stationery

Something about me? I love fountain pens. I write exclusively with them (except when I need to sign something because only fun inks not permanent black ink for me).

Something I loved doing on Instagram has been participating in the fountain pen and journaling communities there.

I learned so much of what I know about fountain pens through social media, including about Hobinichi (the planner brand pictured here) and bungubox (the pen brand pictured here).

I learned about so many fountain pen inks that come in all of these incredible shades, and sheens from small brands across the world.

I loved seeing all the creative ways people used their pens and inks from currently inked logs to the final touches on their junk journal spreads.

It’s also really fun to see everyone’s different handwriting, their aesthetic sensibilities, and how those things brought their journals to life. So I hope that’s somrthing I’ll find here as well.

If you’re a fountain pen user or aspiring fountain pen user, let’s connect!

QOTD: what is your go to fountain pen?

#fountainpen #fountainpens #newfountainpen #bungubox #bunguboxpen #hobinichi #hobinichitecho #hobinichilife #hobinichiplanner #stationerylover #fountainpenlover #fountainpenfanatic #learnwithme #studywithme #darkacademia #academia #academiaaesthetic #academicaesthetic #darkacademiaaesthetic #grayacademia #cozyvibes #cozystudying #cozyjournaling #journalingcommunity #stationerycommunity