Seaweed ink

I’m embarking on a project that may go everywhere but also nowhere. The ocean is at the heart of it, so I wanted to start exploring how to make inks using resources from the sea - seaweed is my first port of call.

Seaweed gathered from one of my local beaches

SEAweed Ink #1

INGREDIENTS

• Pot full of seaweed (not washed - I like the dirt and grit!)

• 1 Litre of filtered water (or rain water)

• Gum Arabic

• Clove

METHOD

1. Place the seaweed in a pot with 1 Litre of water

2. Bring to the boil and then simmer

3. Simmer until two thirds of the liquid is gone (it took approximately 1 hour for me)

4. Filter the liquid through a funnel & coffee filter

5. Add 10 drops of gum arabic & a clove

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Ink result - very pale, but I think I put too much water in - I should have only added about a half litre of water

Seaweed INK RECIPE #2

INGREDIENTS

• Pot full of seaweed (not washed)

• 500ml of filtered water (or rain water)

• Gum Arabic

• Clove

METHOD

1. Place the seaweed in a pot and add 1/2 a litre of water

2. Bring to the boil and then simmer

3. Simmer until two thirds of the liquid is gone (it took approximately 1 hour for me)

4. Filter the liquid through a funnel & coffee filter

5. Add 10 drops of gum arabic & a clove

The second ink is much richer - not sure if it’s to do with the seaweed or because I used less water for the cook - beautiful colour though and I’m looking forward to working on something with both of these inks

Seaweed Ink #3

METHOD

1. Fill a vessel with seaweed

2. Pour boiled water over it

3. Leave it alone

4. Check in on it in a week or two