Chung Hwa Ink Sumi Ink for Chinese Painting and Calligraphy 8.8 oz

Great all rounder quality but affordable ink - widely used by students in China and abroad. Although not permanent ink, it does not bleed during mounting process if allowed to properly dry first. The plus in this however is its economy - dried excess ink can be rehydrated and reused.Dries into a very decent (almost glossy) black if used undiluted. When the ink dries during use, simply pour more ink onto dried ink to revive it without dilution. Do not use water if you wish to retain the richness of the black. Water dilution will course it to lighten into a matte-ish grey.Has a relatively strong but pleasant (or not so pleasant depending on your nasal preference) herbal scent. Akin herbal medicine. Its YiDeGe counterpart has a similar scent but manifests a brownish tint when diluted.Comes in 100ml or 250ml for around $8 or $18 respectively.

This is a student ink with a good reputation for value and performance, in China. I like it because of all the drawing, manga, and sumi inks I have tried, it has a dynamic that makes it good for calligraphy on papyrus. And, it doesn't clog a softer reed as badly as lacquered inks can, or go stale in the jar as quickly with dilution and dipping, so you get to use more of what you bought. Although it is a student ink, though, it still performs well enough to do a pensee suitable for framing.