Today for Inkmas, we are taking a look at a rare beauty: Vinta Tabuan Purple Sea Star (2022) ($18 for 30ml bottle) , an exclusive ink from Enigma Stationery. Sadly, this ink is currently unavailable. I don’t know if the ink will be reproduced but I thought I’d share it just to show this unique, shading ink.
On Tomoe River paper, Tabaun Purple Sea Star is a good writer. It works well in a wide variety of pen widths. The color is vivid and unique. The watered down sample in the lower right shows some of the undertones which are notably more purply and bluish than I would have guessed from the solid sample.
When comparing Vinta Tabaun to other inks, Monteverde Purple Mist is probably the closest in color. I included a few others that are similar in value (lightness) but lean a little more reddish-purple or bluish violet. I also wanted to compare Tabaun to Maskara and Tabaun is darker with less pink undertones. So, if you’re a fan of Vinta inks its worth searching for or requesting a reorder of Tabaun since its different and a standout color.
Though Monteverde Purple Mist looks similar in hue overall, I think in finer writing, Purple Mist appears a little lighter.
When compared with Maskara, Tabaun is more of a shading than a multi-chromatic ink.
Overall, I really like Tabaun and I hope it will be available again soon.
Tools:
- Paper: blank Tomoe River 52gsm with Ink Swatch Guidesheet
- Pens: Tachikawa T-40 dip nib holder with Zebra G titanium nib, Sailor Hocoro Dip Nib Pens (in various sizes with additional feed units), Pilot Iro-Utsushi Dip Pen (F)
- Swatches: Col-o-Ring Ink Testing Book ($10) & Col-o-dex Rotary Cards ($15)
