Sailor - Arizona

Sailor - Arizona - Ink drop

Arizona is in the March 2022 release for Sailor’s US States series. This is my first ink in the series. There have been a couple in the series that have really interested me, but knowing my weaknesses, I didn’t want to get caught up in a 50-ink series. Arizona is particularly striking though, and I just couldn’t resist!

Sailor - Arizona - Shades of Orange

Sailor calls it an orange coral, and based it on the multihued walls of Arizona’s gorgeous Antelope Canyon. On some papers, it’s exactly that, a beautifully pure, creamy coral orange. On others, shading is heavy, and it reveals strong pink undertones and hints of yellow. In dark areas, there’s even a hint of light plum. I’d call it a sakura coral, and really love what it gives me on the page!

Sailor - Arizona - Shading and Edge

In terms of writing, corals and pinks are difficult inks to get right. They’re often either too washed out to be readable, or too aggressively bright to be comfortable for extended viewing. Sailor found the sweet spot here. It’s a gorgeous balance! The lights and darks of the strong shading add movement and variety, and hidden tones dance across each stroke. It’s wet and flows comfortably, as you expect from Sailor. Drying is usually a bit longer with colors such as this, and that’s true for Arizona, but it isn’t to the point of annoyance. This is a nice writer and a reader-friendly ink.

Sailor - Arizona - Ink Swatch Card

I like this ink, and I’m glad that I gave it a chance. If you’ve been hesitant to jump into the States series, this might be a great exception. If there’s a downside, it’s the price per ml. It’s expensive (US$20-25), and the bottle is only 20ml! There’s no doubt, though, this ink is definitely a beauty!

Sailor - Arizona - Ink Bottle and Box