Rainbow Wild Ink Set 2025

Wild ink sets vary from year to year based on the time I have, seasonal variations, time of harvest, and other variables. These behave most like a watercolor, and I recommend using them on watercolor paper. See the painting tips in the gallery photos!

Buckthorn berry: This year’s Buckthorn berry ink is back to a grass-green, foraged in my neighborhood. Alum was added to shift it green and make it more colorfast.

Copper oxide: This perennial ink has been going strong with the same scrap copper in the same jar in my garage for at least two years! I keep adding a little more water and white vinegar to let it oxidize. It’s one of my favorite inks to work with.

Goldenrod + Dandelion: The bright yellow was again made with foraged Goldenrod blooms and Dandelion tops. I’ve noticed Goldenrod blooming earlier each year, and take care to let the insects have the nectar they need from the blooms first.

Avocado pit: This ink is one of the colors rendered from food waste–avocado pits chopped and cooked with soda ash to get this beautiful garnet red.

Each ink (except copper oxide, because it doesn’t require anything!) contains a couple of drops of clove or wintergreen oil to preserve the ink, as well as gum arabic for painting quality.

Remember to shake each bottle before opening and painting. Have fun!