We’re back to the Diamine Inkvent calendar for this year’s 25 Days of Dupes. While I love Colorverse inks, the Colorvent calendar just didn’t do it for me last year. The biggest letdown was how dark and muted many of the colors were, especially given how bright regular Colorverse inks often are. The bottle shape was also a consideration. The Colorverse bottles are easily double the size of the Inkvent bottles, but only contain 3ml more ink. I just don’t have space for them. Last year’s Colorvent is still in its box. And, finally, the price difference matters to me. If anyone reading this is in the Washington, DC area and would be willing to let me borrow their 2025 Colorvent, I can dupe it around February next year. Just let me know in the comments.
What’s the Plan?
Per usual, I’ll be posting once a week with all of the inks from that week, with the day based on Christmas. Since Christmas is on Thursday, my posts will be on Friday this year. My first dupe post will be on the 5th, with the inks from December 1-4. My final dupe post will be on the 26th, with inks from December 19-25. And I’ll have a wrap-up/reference post on the 29th linking to the 4 dupe posts and listing the best dupe for each ink.
I’m also sticking with the Sailor Compass Hocoro Dip Pen. I used the F nib this year, since the finer nib seemed to be appreciated in my Inktober posts.
I enjoyed the Muji A5 loose leaf paper I used last year — it really is fantastic paper — but I’m trying to use up my stock of Kokuyo loose leaf paper, so this year I used that instead.
Some Changes
I’ve changed the swatch page format some this year. I still have a brush swatch and a writing sample, but I went for a vertical layout, as you’ll see. I also did my best to use the least amount of ink possible in the brush swatches to minimize sheen and to look closer to what you’ll get when writing.
Because there are some “sheen monsters” in this calendar — Diamine calls them extreme sheen — I created “dilution pages.” I diluted the sheening inks with water in single-part steps and swatched them on Yamamoto Airmail White M5 paper. I started with just the ink, then 1:1 ink to water, then 1:2, etc. This really helps show the actual color of the ink, and it’s a good option for those who want some sheen instead of all the sheen.
Calendar Overview
I know we’re all used to the Inkvent calendar by now. After all, this is the sixth edition. But, since I skipped last year, let’s revisit the “specs.”
The Inkvent Calendar
25 bespoke fountain pen inks ~ one a day for the winter countdown. These beautiful new ink colours cannot be found anywhere else in Diamine’s existing ranges. Created especially for the Inkvent Calendar, they’re perfect for use with fountain pens, brushes and nibs.
24 x 12ml bottles & 1 x 30ml bottle
The above text has been exactly transcribed from the back of the Inkvent Calendar.
While not explicitly mentioned, I think it’s safe to assume that Diamine will release all of their Inkvent colors sometime in the first half of next year, per usual.
Descriptions
Unfortunately, Diamine doesn’t include a short blurb or description for each color like Colorverse does. I’d really like to see Diamine include them in future years, especially if it’s a behind-the-scenes look at what inspired the color.
Reminder
As always, I want to remind you exactly what I’m attempting with this series. I’m looking for base color matches. In some cases (mostly sheen), I’m able to match the special property, but it’s not the main focus. Trying to match the special properties would take far more time and money than I have, and 25 Days of Trying to Match Base Colors doesn’t have the same ring to it.
There are quite a few options to add shimmer to your ink. You have the option to mix your own colors which may get you some sheen or multishading. There are other “sheen monster” inks that will give you pure sheen where color doesn’t matter. So, my focus continues to be the base color of the ink.
Enjoy
With all of that out of the way, I hope you have an excellent holiday season. Per usual, you’ll be able to find all of this year’s posts on a dedicated tag page. I hope you enjoy this year’s 25 Days of Dupes. Happy Colorvent season!
Have you followed any of my previous 25 Days of Dupes? Did you buy either the Inkvent Calendar or Colorvent Calendar this year? Or did you skip them both? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.
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