Predictions and comments from readers and contributors...
Tokyo April 2, 2015
I've instituted a ''Restoration Policy'' for certain sales, promising to do so for customers who request it as long as I'm alive & able, provided they've clearly followed recommendations I include in my sales invoices (& other stipulations). I do this because I've had cases of irate customers calling back with complaints about faded artwork & I even showed up to investigate once and found the artwork hanging right under a skylight! Needless to say I didn't restore that one.
TB adds: This thoughtful tip comes from esteemed ballpointer Lennie Mace.
New York, NY March 15
I bought a piece of art in ballpoint pen in 1991 and it looks the same today as the day I bought it. I must say I anticipated it might fade and very consciously hung it in a hallway that gets no sunlight, just a simple lightbulb that only gets turned on sometimes to show off that and a few other pieces hanging there!
TB asks: Color ?
NY, NY replies: Lots of color! Whatever could be considered full color in ballpoint pen, I guess. There's yellow and orange and pink and purple colors used in it. I don't have a photo of it when it's new or I'd send it. All I know is it looks great and I love it!
Boston, MA Jan 21, 2015
I've definitely learned some lessons and will have to do some more testing, particularly with regard to the Schmidt p900b which, at least according to one reputable source, may be considered archival?
Another artist I've emailed with regarding ink tells me that, as he understands it, while we might think technology would catch up and make an archival ink ballpoint pen that the issue has to do with pigments vs dyes. That in order for the ink to flow well, it's has to be super fine at a molecular level. Dyes are able to flow more smoothly than pigments so they are used in ballpoint pens instead of pigments, thereby rendering the ink fade-able.
TB wonders: Anyone with knowledge of this 'Schmidt 900 '?
Input is welcome & encouraged but, by doing so, you are authorizing the use & publication of any texts &/or data provided.
Lightfast Ink testing entered Phase TWO at the end of June 2015 (06/30)...
Control Factors, Phase TWO, six months in Sleep Mode (June 2015—February 2016)...
・Exterior swatches, Phase One : exposed to ambient exterior light, daily; bright but indirect, 02/28—06/30 2015.
Exposure during those first four months of Phase ONE testing showed such extreme effects that further tracking was deemed unnecessary. The effects were clearly visible in swatches posted monthly during that period.
For Phase Two of Exterior testing, affected swatches were placed into archival sleeves and kept from ALL exposure from June 2015 (06/30) until February 2016 (02/03/2016).
Pictured 02/03/2016 are the results of NO exposure to light as of 06/30/15 - 02/03/2016 (after four moths of exterior exposure to ambient exterior light.
Conversely, most swatches having been exposed to ambient Interior lighting conditions during the same period showed such minimal monthly effects that we decided to extend our swatch posts to show more clearly defined effects of lengthier exposure...
・Interior swatches remained under original conditions.
Pictured 02/03/2016 are the cumulative results of exposure to ambient room light; no spotlights.
Will the removal from Exterior exposure to light also halt the progression of ill effects? How long will it take until Interior exposure to light has drastic effects on the inks? Please stand by and visit again, or follow The Ballpointer on facebook for revision announcements.
First four months of active tracking: 'Freshly Inked ' scans February 28, 2015 (02/28). 2nd scans: March 29 (03/29). 3rd scans: April 29 (04/29). 4th scans: May 30 (05/30). 5th scans: June 30 (06/30, posting this month ).
LAB notes: PENTELR.S.V.P. FINE
Both RSVP colors are enduring exposure to Interior light with little, if any, ill effects after 4 months (06/30). Light blue is also withstanding Exterior exposure, only now showing hints of fading or discoloration after 4 months. Pink, on the other hand, showed discoloration after 1 month of Exterior exposure (03/29) and began fading after 2 months (04/29). 4 months of exposure to ambient Exterior light have caused notable deterioration to RSVP pink.
SWATCHWATCH compiled by The Ballpointer staff, Mahozawari Unlimited & Points East revised February 10, 2016
Ink testing begun at the end of February 2015 (02/28) entered Phase Two at the end of June 2015 (06/30)...
・Document the artwork right away
First and foremost! Highest-quality scans and/or photographs are of utmost importance in the preservation of the "image" itself, recording it for posterity and making it available for reproduction anytime thereafter. Poorly lit, barely focussed art "selfies" may be good for social media bragging but are otherwise useless (and only come across as amateurish).
・Frame artwork as soon as possible
Especially if showing it off is on your agenda. There is some proof to suggest that the "sealing" of the artwork into a protective casing helps defer what's known as "air fade". Think Declaration of Independence. No need for the bullet-proof glass, but…
・Don't depend on UV glass to be your savior
It surely won't hurt, but if the extra expense is prohibitive — considering many ballpointers choose the pens because that's all they can afford — just stick to your budget. Regardless, framing artwork in UV glass isn't a license to start hanging your artwork poolside. You are therefore best advised to…
・Keep all light-sensitive artwork under wraps until exhibited
Framed or not. Don't display until or unless necessary. Think museum curator; even museums only occasionally offer fragile artworks on paper, etc, for public display. Many collectors are even known to keep such purchases in a vault or at least in the dark. But, showing off your babies is half the fun and 100% of the business (hopefully), so…
・Take great care in considering wall space
You may be too late to discover that the wall you've chosen to display your masterpiece catches two hours of direct sunrise every morning for the better part of a year, while you're still snoring and unaware! Hang art on walls which receive minimal exposure to light of any kind, if you must hang it at all. Hallways! Southern-walls (artwork facing North) which usually don't receive direct sunlight (opposite in the Southern Hemisphere). And keep in mind…
・Sunlight is not the only enemy
Fluorescent light is also known to emit higher levels of UV rays, and overexposure to any strong, direct light will affect ballpoint pen ink. Hot spotlights: enemy! Again: museum curator! Dimmed or otherwise controlled lighting. Low, ambient light is best, with a lamp nearby for moments of show-and-tell.
・Do ink tests of your own
The Ballpointer tests will be undertaken using basic pen brands, but brands vary from country to country. You are the one with the pens and paper; know your own materials... Ink-in solid swatches of color using your preferred ballpoint pens and papers; make note of which are which; keep one page in a drawer, away from all light, to keep it "virgin"; place the other page out in direct sunlight &/or under hot spotlight/lamp; study what happens! Scan them at the outset and at different intervals, as well, to document the effects at those moments in time.
・Discuss the matter openly with prospective buyers
Clearly outline the care necessary to insure the artwork's longevity. It will ultimately rest upon the buyer to use common sense, but artists should advise all interested parties outright. Ballpoint ink is not alone in susceptibility to damage from overexposure to light. Pen and ink of any type is equally sensitive. Colored pencils and pastels also fall into this category. Watercolor painting may be most delicate of all, and even oil paintings shouldn't be hung on walls which will receive direct sunlight for any period of time.
LAB notes: BIC4-in-1
This is a popular brand and widely available but, most importantly, this particular Bic model has been around awhile — at least 30 years by our estimate — meaning (or at least implying) Bic has had plenty of time to test and perfect these inks. Its 4 basic colors of black, blue, red and green should therefore be the most stable of the bunch. We will keep a close eye on them. Let us hope Bic is tracking artistic interest in their product and will further perfect the lifespan of all their inks to serve artistic usage.
Control Factors of the first four months of active tracking (February 28 through June 30 scans, 2015)
Two separate circumstances, environments constituting "normal" display. Variables: proximity-to and type-of light.
・Exterior set: Window exposure: natural duration of ambient daylight; bright but *indirect sunlight. Occasional amounts of stronger, reflected light depending on time of day and season. At least 8 hours of overnight darkness.
・Interior set: Normal exposure; low lamp light and/or refracted, ambient room light. No bright light, no spotlight. The conditions of an average room throughout an average day. At least 8 hours of overnight darkness.
Both sets received the same amount (time) of exposure relative to their placement. Neither set received direct sunlight ; only the different degrees of indirect, ambient light as noted above. The results of testing against direct sunlight promised to be so obvious as to be deemed unnecessary, for the time being, but we may undertake such tests in the future. As we hope any dramatic effects would only begin appearing after longer durations of time, we will begin placing greater scrutiny on swatch comparisons as exposure continues.
Scanning will be kept consistent; same machine, same settings. We allow for some data discrepancies in these earliest results; obvious effects of time and exposure will outweigh any such discrepancies over longer durations. It has also been brought to our attention that pages should be positioned on the scanner consistently to rule out any discrepancies of scanner light. This was not a consideration for March 29 scans but will be for subsequent scans.
Monthly scans of swatches exposed to Interior & Exterior light will be compared against the Freshly inked scans. We operate under the assumption that the light of one monthly scan will not, itself, adversely affect results. Bic, Pilot, Papermate, Pentel and Zebra pen inks will be tested. Other brands may be added at later dates.
LAB notes: PAPERMATE INKJOY 1.0 M 300 RT
Papermate's Inkjoy pens offer some of the most vivid ballpoint ink colors available; the standards and a few esoteric colors. Viscosity varies noticeably from color to color; some more watery, with blobbing, and some drier...
After 1 month of exposure (03/29), it was good-news-bad-news for Inkjoy pens. Except for slight loss of luster in purple and blue color, all other colors of Inkjoy's Interior set held steadfast. In the Exterior set, red and green prove strongest. Light blue, pink and orange show discoloration. Then there's blue and purple… Ouch. We'd been warned that purple has been known to turn brown in most brands that offer the color, but we didn't expect such drastic results so immediately. Light's effects on blue, although not as extreme, come as a surprise. We assumed it a tried-and-true color, but it lost a bit of its blue hue and, instead of fading, darkened...
Even under INTERIOR lighting conditions (ambient daylight and evening lamp light, both indirect ) one month of exposure shows noticeable effects. Loss of luster and blue hue are first apparent (03/29). Rather than ''fade'', the blue ink is actually reverting to darker base elements. Two months of exposure (04/29) shows further loss of "blue" and slight loss of opacity to less-heavily inked areas. That's the good news.
One month of exposure to brighter EXTERIOR light (indirect, ambient sunlight ) shows the kind of effects that would make any ballpointer, or art buyer , cringe. After one month exposure (03/29) the blue hue is largely gone and areas of thinner ink application show dissipation. After two months you're no longer even seeing "blue". The dyes are long gone and ink-coverage shows heavy loss of opacity. Base elements of the ink seem to have taken charge, showing as black with more of a red tint than blue.
To an irresponsibly placed work of art receiving the kind of refracted, indirect sunlight any normal wall might receive, the effects are clear as demonstrated here. While we hope you are enjoying and otherwise benefitting from your ballpoint creations, we sincerely recommend that you approach your medium more conscientiously and, if you are to continue using ballpoints, make some effort to obtain reputable pen brands・
all pen arenot created equal
posted May 20, 2015
Take a good look at the swatches pictured. Note the dramatic effects of two months exposure to light under two separate but normal circumstances shown alongside scans made when the swatches were freshly inked (02/28). The ballpoint pens used in creating the swatches pictured here are not the brand name pens known worldwide, but they are the kind of pens appearing regularly in the works-in-progress selfies you can find in any number of social media postings. Novelty pens. Compare what a difference two months can make…
SWATCH WATCH
See the LAB page for full findings of various pen brands.
THINK by O. Lebron posted February 26, 2015
Common Sense Advice for the Fight Against Light
For the uninitiated, lightfastness refers to the sensitivity or susceptibility of ink color to light; specifically exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of sunlight, direct or reflected, but also from artificial sources (spotlights; fluorescent light, et al). Amateur doodlers or hobbyists for whom it's all about recreation, convenience and economics, can draw without giving any thought to the matter, and the value of commercial artists' artwork is tied to the disposability of commerce and lives on in reproduction. But anyone intending to hang ballpoint pen artwork on a wall and have it remain beautiful, or hoping to put a price on an original ballpoint drawing, should acquaint themselves with the considerations listed below.
Ballpoint companies are not known for providing information regarding the lightfastness of their inks, and other reports listing ratings and ratios are Greek to the layman. What is known is that ballpoint pen inks are mostly OIL-based dyes which consist of any number of additives affecting lightfastness. The oil-based inks, it is important to note, are the inks anyone hoping for longevity ought to be using. Water-based, Milky-type pens and gel inksare most unsafe for anyone with higher hopes. Unfortunately the pen brands offering the most variety of colors are the gel- or dye-based inks, generally rated as "poor to moderate" and considered unstable. Additionally, halftone effects achievable with those pens are very limited compared to effects achievable using the thicker, oil-based inks.
In response to inquiries from artists asking for advice about the lightfastness of ballpoint pen inks, we are publishing this introductory list offering common sense considerations of greatest concern to ballpointers. Good habits and rules-of-thumb to abide by, which should become second-nature if they are not already.
Lightfast ink testing, Phase ONE : February—June 2015; Phase TWO : June 2015—February 2016.
Control Factors, Phase ONE, first four months of active tracking (Feb 28 through June 30, 2015)...
Two separate circumstances, environments constituting "normal" display. Variables: proximity-to and type-of light.
・Exterior set: Window exposure: natural duration of ambient daylight; bright but *indirect sunlight. Occasional amounts of stronger, reflected light depending on time of day and season. At least 8 hours of overnight darkness.
・Interior set: Normal exposure; low lamp light and/or refracted, ambient room light. No bright light, no spotlight. The conditions of an average room throughout an average day. At least 8 hours of overnight darkness.
Both sets received the same amount (time) of exposure relative to their placement. Neither set received direct sunlight ; only the different degrees of indirect, ambient light as noted above. The results of testing against direct sunlight promised to be so obvious as to be deemed unnecessary, for the time being, but we may undertake such tests in the future.
Scanning was kept consistent; same machine, same settings. We allowed for some data discrepancies in the earliest results, reasoning the obvious effects of time and exposure would outweigh any such discrepancies over longer durations. Monthly scans of swatches exposed to Interior & Exterior light are compared against the Freshly inked scans. We operate under the assumption that the light of one monthly scan will not, itself, adversely affect results. Bic, Pilot, Papermate, Pentel and Zebra pen inks will be tested. Other brands will be tested in the future.
LAB notes: PILOTSUPER-GP 1.6 (extra-broad nib) ・ Pilot ballpoint pens are known for their engineering excellence. Here we test the ink integrity of Pilot's SUPER-GP series.
ONPAPER...
Below is the label of the paper used for all ink swatches produced for these tests. We did not select this brand for any specific reasons or with any specific outcome expected, this paper is simply what was easily obtainable to us.
SWATCHWATCH compiled by The Ballpointer staff, Mahozawari Unlimited & Points East revised September 20, 2015
Ink testing begun February 2015 (02/28, see below) has been put into Sleep Mode until February 2016. WHY? Swatches having been exposed to ambient Exterior light conditions during the first four months of active testing showed such extreme effects that further tracking was deemed unnecessary. Those extreme effects can clearly be seen in the various ink swatches presented below. Conversely, most swatches having been exposed to ambient Interior light conditions during the same period showed such minimal effects that we decided to extend the tracking period to lengthier periods which may be of more concern for artists. Therefore...
・Exterior swatches have been placed into an archival sleeve and kept from ALL exposure for an extended time.
・Interior swatches remain under the original conditions and scanned monthly, but results will be tracked annually.
Will the removal from Exterior exposure to light also halt the progression of ill effects? How long will it take until Interior exposure to light has drastic effects on the inks? Please stand by and visit again, or follow The Ballpointer on facebook for revision announcements.
First four months of active tracking: 'Freshly Inked ' scans February 28, 2015 (02/28). 2nd scans: March 29 (03/29). 3rd scans: April 29 (04/29). 4th scans: May 30 (05/30). 5th scans: June 30 (06/30, posting this month ).
LAB notes: ZEBRA Z-GRIP MED
Z-Grip inks flow noticeably thicker and drier than most. Of special interest to colorists: the actual colors produced by several inks don't nearly match the colors of the pen bodies or names given, as can be seen in the chart pictured. The color labeled "orange" produces a clay or brick color. "Green" instead produces a teal color, closer to blue than green. "Light green" appears more of a khaki, pale olive color. This is not bad news; the surprising colors produced are rare, exotic colors welcome in any palette, maybe even worth stockpiling, but their value ultimately depends on how they withstand exposure to light. *No red in this set.
All Z-Grip colors appear relatively unaffected even after 4 months (06/30) of Interior exposure. Results of Exterior exposure vary. Z-Grip colors showing the most dramatic effects thus far are purple and pink. Drastic discoloration! "Orange" also shows fading but retains its hue. Showing only minimal affects, if any: black, the khaki light green, teal green and light blue.
Lightfast ink testing, Phase One: February—June 2015; Phase Two: June 2015—February 2016.
・Exterior swatches, Phase One : exposed to ambient exterior light, daily; bright but indirect, 02/28—06/30 2015.
Exposure during those first four months of Phase ONE testing showed such extreme effects that further tracking was deemed unnecessary. The effects were clearly visible in swatches posted monthly during that period.
For Phase Two of Exterior testing, affected swatches were placed into archival sleeves and kept from ALL exposure from June 2015 (06/30) until February 2016 (02/03/2016).
Pictured 02/03/2016 are the results of NO exposure to light as of 06/30/15 - 02/03/2016 (after four moths of exterior exposure to ambient exterior light.
Conversely, most swatches having been exposed to ambient Interior lighting conditions during the same period showed such minimal monthly effects that we decided to extend our swatch posts to show more clearly defined effects of lengthier exposure...
・Interior swatches remained under original conditions.
Pictured 02/03/2016 are the cumulative results of exposure to ambient room light; no spotlights.
Will the removal from Exterior exposure to light also halt the progression of ill effects? How long will it take until Interior exposure to light has drastic effects on the inks? Please stand by and visit again, or follow The Ballpointer on facebook for revision announcements.
First four months of active tracking: 'Freshly Inked ' scans February 28, 2015 (02/28). 2nd scans: March 29 (03/29). 3rd scans: April 29 (04/29). 4th scans: May 30 (05/30). 5th scans: June 30 (06/30, posting this month ).
Since 2014
SWATCHWATCH posted November 2, 2015
Gold Standard ?・Zebra SARASA pens
Japanese pen company Zebra's SARASA line of ballpoints come in almost every color of the rainbow. Great, if only Zebra had payed closer attention to the needs of actual ballpoint pen artists and how they use the pens. While SARASA 's novelty ink colors may be a delight for colorful linework, they're otherwise useless to anyone hoping for halftones. The inks flow very wet, soak the surface of the page unevenly and dry flat (no gloss of oil-based inks). Light testing, therefore, seemed moot.
But three colors may be of interest and use to ballpointers: a yellow ink and metallic silver and gold inks. Put to the test, yellow fairs surprisingly well against exposure to light. Silver and gold show some fading, especially against exterior light, but held their metallic gleam (not visible in these swatch scans). The metallic inks seem to be gel-based, flowing thicker with a stickier consistency. Ink inquiries to Zebra are as yet unanswered.
After 4 months of exposure (06/30)...
Blue and purple now also show effects of exposure to Interior lighting conditions, while other colors show no discernible affect. Exposed to 3 months of Exterior lighting conditions (refer to control factors noted at the top), ALL colors now show clear discoloration and/or fade, with one notable exception: GREEN!
OGreen shows no apparent effect from Interior or Exterior exposure. Red, orange and light blue now show mild fading, but continue to maintain color integrity. Pink shows its most dramatic fading and loss of pink hue thus far.
X Blue and purple continue to show the most dramatic deterioration from exposure to Exterior lighting conditions; loss of color hue and opacity. Purple continues morphing into a pinkish brown color. Blue has lost most of its hue, appearing more black than blue, and all three have also lost notable depth of opacity.
After 4 months (06/30)
All SUPER-GP colors fared well against exposure to Interior lighting conditions. If anything, only slight loss of freshly-inked luster, no actual "fading", and colors held their hues.
Against Exterior lighting conditions, Red again held strongest; no further effects beyond the 1-month loss of luster. Black shows discoloration at the edges and areas of thinner ink coverage. Blue ink shows slow but steady fading and slight loss of blue hue after 4 months of Exterior exposure.
Put to the test...
After 1 month a loss of luster was noticeable in most colors facing Interior and Exterior exposure; somewhat puzzling so early in testing. Possibility of scanner discrepancies were disproven with subsequent scans; color held steady after initial one-months loss of luster. The exception: GREEN, which showed little if any ill effects.
After 4 months (06/30), GREEN reigns; Bic's winning color in the fight against light, Interior and Exterior. All other colors fared well against Interior light, but red and black show fading after 4 months of Exterior exposure while blue shows darkening and loss of hue.
Ultimately, the problem of light is inherent to the medium and only minimally avoidable.
Solutions are limited. Be smart. Spray fixatives also offer no guarantee, and may actually do more harm than good. Test! Changes in temperature, humidity and the air around you also conspire to break down your inks at a molecular level until color virtually disappears from the page. So-called air fade, dark fade and additional questions of weatherfast offer only more prospects for degradation. Keep visiting The Ballpointer to track the official findings of our upcoming research, and, if you have any experience or expertise of your own to offer, please share your information with us. Your input and participation are welcome (see below). And don't trade in your ballpoints for brushes just yet・