8/19/2019 Oak-Apple Gall Ink

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Oak-Apple Gall Ink

 This is known as Oak-Apple gall or Iron Gall ink. It is madefrom the galls or lumps on the branches and leaves of Oak

 Trees where gall wasps have laid their eggs. The tree forms

an oak gall or oak apple, where the tissues are irritated by

the growing wasp larvae. These hard knots develop

concentrations or tannic acid and gallic acid, which are

etracted by grinding the galls and soaking them in water or

wine for about a week. !errous sulphate is added, and the

yellowish li"uid turns pale violet or purple. After aeration,this will darken to a deep purplish black.

  This is a black ink, but the artist should be aware that it

is a very beautiful purple or violet when #rst applied to pper.

$pon eposure to air %up to an hour or more, depending on

how hard the paper surface is&, the ink turns black. Over

etended aging, the ink turns brown.