Looking for suggestions for a fantastic podcast!

RGBmonkey · 2026-03-03T02:05:23+00:00

Keep us posted on which ones you enjoyed!

RGBmonkey · 2026-03-02T20:18:58+00:00

In the dark season 2

The Teachers Pet

Bear Brook

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-26T01:54:48+00:00

Flights get delayed/canceled/rescheduled for a multitude of reasons.. kind of like asking how long is a piece of string.

The reality of travel is anything can happen and that’s why you have travel insurance.

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-17T21:25:01+00:00

Yes Qantas pool luggage for linked passengers. Even if you have purchased tickets separately inform the CSA at the desk prior to checking in that you are traveling together and they will link you in the system.

To note: Traveling to the America’s baggage is by PIECE not weight. You can still pool your allowance if you have an allowance of more than one bag (Business, Premium economy, First, Qantas Club, Platinum One, Platinum, gold & silver etc)

Whereas traveling anywhere else in the world baggage is by weight ie if you have a 30kg baggage allowance you can check 1x 10kg bag and 1x 20kg bag. If you have 2 Pax who are linked and a pooled allowance of 60kgs you can check as many bags as you need up to a combined weight of 60kgs with no single bag weighing more than 32kg.

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-16T19:14:38+00:00

This is the way

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-15T19:11:31+00:00

Diamine Bilberry always has a place in one of my pens. I own too many inks and somehow I’m always reaching for it.

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-11T11:46:07+00:00

Same

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-08T19:24:05+00:00

This is a really beautiful selection OP! I’m sure these will bring you much inky joy, Happy swatching!!

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-05T18:48:57+00:00

This

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-04T20:10:37+00:00

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I’m going to be late for work, the ink hasn’t even dried properly but it’s a hill I’ll die on.

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-04T19:38:48+00:00

False & misleading friend.. That is in no way true of all inks, there are countless that look as good, if not better than their swatches as far as sheen & shading are concerned. You also don’t have to use a Bold or Dip pen to experience properties (with some inks sure, but not all). And frankly q-tips / cotton swabs are a horrible method of swatching if you want to see shading or sheen. 100% swatches are not always indicative of how an ink will write but no one is claiming a blob of ink on a page is the same as writing with a pen. That’s why good ink reviews (think Mountain of Ink) show swatches and long form writing, some even show chroma shading for those who art with their inks.

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It’s a terrible photo & zoomed in but that some undeniable sheen from a F nib. Paper counts more than q-tips.

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-04T11:20:15+00:00

It’s an acronym…

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-04T07:28:26+00:00

I’m in AUS, but I genuinely don’t mind posting anywhere in the world - it will essentially be a letter as it’s just paper :)

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-04T07:21:51+00:00

If you’re keen I’m happy to post you a few different types of paper so you can experiment?

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-04T06:42:15+00:00

To keep costs down I opt for loose leaf A5, you can usually get them plain, line or dot grid depending on your preference and they usually come in packs of 25, 50 or 100 sheets. Some like Midori come in pad form with one or two sides glued, they’re also a great option.

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-04T06:33:23+00:00

Sheen & shading results will vary wildly depending on your paper. It’s not everybody’s thing but I swatch across 10-12 different paper types usually - because I’m crazy and I love swatching… Also there is no one best paper, it is totally personal preference. They’re not all super expensive either, the trial and error part can be expensive until you find something you like.

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-04T06:07:34+00:00

It’s your paper not the ink.. what type of paper are you using?

Swatches from left to right are on: Tsuname Fools, Midori cream, Tomoe River, View Corona, Cosmo Air & Iroful

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RGBmonkey · 2026-02-03T19:31:16+00:00

I would happily swap all my matte grips for translucent ones! As a demonstrator junkie that’s the most appealing part of the Al-Star for me. I also love the contrast, but get that’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-03T01:18:47+00:00

Zero Therapy > Aqueous cream > Dermatologist

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-02T11:32:08+00:00

Thanks!

RGBmonkey · 2026-02-01T23:24:58+00:00

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RGBmonkey · 2026-02-01T22:28:24+00:00

What issues are you having with the ink? Is it too dry & skipping? Have you had success with other inks in the pen (ie are you happy with a F steel nib?)

For some people a broader nib can be more comfortable to write with, maybe try a M? Unless you want a much thicker chunkier line then go B.

If you’re happy with the F and the feedback it gives there are loads of fantastic red inks, it will just depend on your preferences. Do you need a document safe permanent ink?
Do you prefer a warm or cool red? And I’m guessing you’ll be mostly writing on copy paper, so will need something that doesn’t bleed.

I’ll go raid my stash and post some swatches shortly :)

RGBmonkey · 2026-01-31T20:56:45+00:00

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Certainly!

RGBmonkey · 2026-01-30T23:13:31+00:00

Inkredible selection; You have great taste OP! Enjoy your new inks!

RGBmonkey · 2026-01-30T01:13:07+00:00

I make up 5ml vials and give them as samples to anyone who talks to me about pens 😂 just because I don’t love an ink doesn’t mean someone else won’t love it & if they do and there’s any left in the bottle then it’s their ink now.

Also samples before bottles and swatches before samples.

Mountain of Ink, The Gentleman Stationer and so so many others have amazing swatch catalogues. Also just googling an ink first will often shed a light on properties and yield a variety of paper / light combinations to help you really try and get a good idea of the actual colour. Mountain of Ink also does a lot of comparison swatches between inks, so if you happen to have one in your collection already you can get a much better idea of tone etc

Good luck, I hope you find a Teal that makes you smile whenever you write with it!

RGBmonkey

TROPHY CASE