Vine Charcoal Ink

April 2024.

Clipped dead vines.

Placed some twigs in Altoids Tin and some in aluminum foil. Charred on outdoor barbecue grill for 30 minutes. The ones in the foil became softer.

Ground to fine powder in coffee grinder.

Made a liquid gum Arabic using warm distilled water and gum powder.

Added distilled water, liquid gum and charcoal powder to bowl and mixed with pestle.

Added small amount of linseed oil and stirred.

Poured through old flour sifter and ground remaining solids with mortar and pestle until smooth.

Poured Vine Charcoal Water-Based ink into bottle, added preservative, and drops of wintergreen and clove essential oil.