Getting the right mixture

[SteelDog72]

I'm just starting to dabble in black and grey pieces. I did one last night using Kuro Sumi and Witch Hazel and I found that in order to get the desired shade, I had to really "water" it down. Then once I put it into the skin, the blood was darker then the color. I went over the areas twice and the color just wouldn't show, so rather then do any damage I'm just going to have the client wait and see how it heals. Is this a common problem? Are there any helpful tips on testing to see what the color is going to look like once it's in the skin. My thought for the next one is to just use Kuro Sumi and white, so the consistency of the ink doesn't change. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Matt

[kate]

If you mix white it will give a very different look. if you buy empty ink bottles you can pre-mix, a drop smeared onto paper and dried will give you an idea of how it will heal. Often the lightest light grey I put in with look pinkish brown while it heals because of the blood, but it still heals very very pale grey.

[the colorist]

kate is right,exspecally about the paper towels,but i wet paper towel to do the lightness test.dampen a paper towel,place one drop of your gray mixture to it see how the ink spreads out from the center.the outer most area from the center is usually what shade it will heal in the skin.i even allow the paper towel to dry fully and usually the shade i see on the dried paper towel is 99% closest to how light or dark it heals in the skin.wouldnt make a white gray,it gives it a whole different look ,like kate said,

[SteelDog72]

Thanks for the advice. What about the consistency of the ink when it's mixed with the witch hazel? It just seems to run all over the place.

Matt

[timmy]

I just did some mixes a few days ago and am healing nice and the color is nice and light like i wanted.When i first shaded it looked really dark,but is healing alot lighter.I am using no.9ink caps and the mixes are fine,ink flows nice,plus dont forget the ointment.If you are using larger ink caps that may be the reason why its really runny.I did the one drop kuro-sumi,fill rest of cap with witch hazel,two drop,three,and so on.So,my first time around went pretty good,so im going at it again and again and im running out of reachable spots of skin on myself,once im comfortable with those shades and the way they heal i will give a couple people a call who have been patiently waiting for some ink.

[kate]

It does splatter a bit, I just turn my volts down a bit to compensate.

[SteelDog72]

Thanks for the help everyone! I really appreciate it!

[the colorist]

if its spattering you might be running too fast,slow down some,and make sure the rubber bands are secure,try adjusting them closer to the tail end of the stem