New Inks

Unable to find my preferred brand of ink (Koh-I-Noor drawing ink) at any art supply store here in Richmond, and too cheap to drop six bucks for sipping on a three-dollar bottle from Dick Blick, I've been auditioning a couple different brands the last few days. Among them are Windsor & Newton Drawing Ink, and Dr. Martin's Bombay Black India Ink. I don't like either of them as much as the KohI-Noor...The W&N, with which I inked these figures, is a little too thick. And the Bombay...well, it's fine, but for one thing: It tastes funny. I'm sure it sounds weird, but I once heard from some artist I respect (although not enough to remember who they are) that nothing is better for keeping a nice sharp point on a brush than good ol' saliva. So, every time I get done washing it out, I give it a drag across my tongue (I'm sure you're thinking, wow, that's way too much information...but it works!). Anyhow, the Bombay has this acrid chemical taste to it that kinda makes me gag. Ah well, I guess I'll have to get used to it, or pony up the cash for the good stuff!