BlueBlack x Diamine - Almond Tree

BlueBlack - Almond Tree - Ink Drop

Almond Tree is the second ink in the Almond Blossoms set from BlueBlack Pen Shop and Diamine. This is one of three three-ink sets in their 2023 Art Collection series. The Almond Blossoms set focuses on Van Gogh, and the color palette was inspired by his famous work that names the set. The beautiful packaging and labels feature the painting, as well.

BlueBlack - Almond Tree - on Cosmo Air Light

The swatch on Cosmo Air Light above shows the range of shades that can be found in this ink. Almond Tree blends forest green and olive green, and your results depend heavily on the paper you are using. On some papers, it definitely comes across as an olive green with hints of the yellow that is so pronounced in the chromatography in image six. On others, it’s a cooler forest green with subtle greyish influences and a powdery visual quality. There’s some shading, but it’s gradual across the stroke, rather than concentrated at stroke ends.

BlueBlack - Almond Tree - Color Range

Strokes have a nice, darkened edging, particularly on coated papers. This adds a little pop and makes the shading more obvious. This is a good-looking, successful ink. It isn’t the most unusual, but it is done well. In saturation, it can develop additional traces of hidden colors, and I think a water brush would really produce some interesting results.

BlueBlack - Almond Tree - on Rhodia

This is a fairly wet ink. It’s effortless in flow, and it was very comfortable on all six of my standard test papers. I didn’t have any problems with feathering or spread, and show-through was minimal. It dries fairly quickly, even on coated papers with a very wet pen.

BlueBlack - Almond Tree - Writing Samples

This is an attractive, very calming ink, and it performs very well in writing. From paper to paper, there is a lot of variation. I like both the vegetal olives that you find on many papers, and the cooler, forest greens that you’ll find on some coated papers. As a set, Almond Blossoms is quite beautiful. The three-color palette is modern and very attractive.

BlueBlack - Almond Tree - Ink Swatch Card

I really think BlueBlack have a winner in the Art Collection theme. These sets are BlueBlack store exclusives. You can find them at their beautiful store in Seoul, or order them online through BlueBlack’s website. For cheaper international shipping, it’s also available on shopping site GMarket Global (for the lowest US shipping cost choose “USPS” for your shipping method).

Keep scrolling down for swatch card comparisons, the bottles, and the entire set.

BlueBlack - Almond Tree - Swatch Card Comparisons

BlueBlack x Diamine - Almond Blossom Set Ink Bottles

BlueBlack x Diamine - Art Series - Almond Blossom Set

Special thanks to BlueBlack for sending me these inks as a surprise gift! As usual, my reviews reflect my honest opinions, and I always include both the good and bad based on my experience using the ink.