Knopper Gall Ink
There are a huge number of galls that can form on Oak trees and I’ve come across a few.
The ones I’m interested in are the large ones, the Marble Gall, Oak Apple Gall and Knopper Gall.
All of which are reportedly high in tannins and can be used to create a black ink that I feel would make a wonderful addition to my spell work.
As I don’t have enough of the more traditionally used Marble Galls I thought I would try it with Knoppers which have been plentiful enough last year that I could give it a good try and not have to worry if I had to start over as I’ve picked up more this year to dry.
The method of creating the ink comes in stages so I’ve started with the longest process.
You will need…
- Rain Water
- Oak Knopper Galls (Dried for 6-12 months)
- Pestle & Mortar
- Jars with lids
- Vinegar
- Steel wool
- Gum Arabic
- Coffee filter or cheesecloth
- Glass pen or brush (not fountain/nibbed)
Extracting the Tannins
🌳 Remove the galls from the acorn host and clean off any dirt or debris especially if they have been collected from the muddy ground.
🌳 Using a pestle and mortar or bag and mallet, crush the galls. They do not have to be ground up but chunky pieces.
🌳 Remove any unwanted materials including any remaining larvae.
🌳 Put the crushed galls into a jar and add enough rainwater to cover them. Tannins will begin to leach out into the water almost immediately.
🌳 Place the jar in a sunny spot and leave for 10 days, shake occasionally if you feel like it.
Making the Iron Sulphate
🌳 Add a good lump of steel wool onto a jar and pour in the vinegar (this can be a cheap malt vinegar)
🌳 Place the lid on lightly and set aside with the gall solution.
…WAIT 10 DAYS…
Making the Ink
🌳You should now have a dark brown solution in the jar with the galls.
🌳 Strain the solution using a filter into another clean jar.
🌳 Repeat this process again with the steel wool/vinegar solution but make sure it’s into a clean jar and use a new filter!
🌳 Take the jar which you would like to hold your ink and add in equal measures the two solutions before adding in a small amount of the Gum Arabic and stir to help it dissolve, more can be added if required.
You should be left with a dark brown to black solution that you can now use as ink!
