NavList:

Frank, you wrote:
"I've never used lampblack, it sounds messy. Did you purchase or brew
your own?"

Hmm. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm fairly sure "lampblack" is exactly what it sounds like: the fine, black soot that you get on the glass housing of a kerosene lamp, e.g. If you don't have a lamp like that, just hold a piece of glass or ceramic over a smoky candle flame. It usually will wipe off on a cloth or tissue and then you can rub it onto a scale. And if you mix lampblack with a few other ingredients, it makes ink. That remains one of the best ways to make black ink. Is it waterproof? Beats me. Probably depends on those other ingredients. :-) But plain lampblack was commonly used to fill the lines in scrimshaw aboard whaleships back in the 19th century so it's certainly maritime-authentic!

I also like Bill's suggestion for acrylic poster paint. It's a common product, and you don't have to do any home cooking.

-FER
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