Shimmer ink has been a double-edged sword for me. I’m drawn to the fun color match-ups available in many shimmer inks: black and silver, orange and gold, green and rose gold.

I also appreciate how shimmer inks are also viewable against glare. And my classroom receives a lot of glare most mornings in the spring. So Midnight Twinkle and Schwarz Rose will be easily scannable from afar even while my classroom is bathed in morning light.

This first week back from break is a shortened four-day work week. I’ve decided to forgo a full contingent of six pens. So, I elected to stick with my five currently inked pens. The set is already well-balanced with respect to ink color and nib size.

A consequence is that the Nakaya will be called into action at work. This is a nervous proposition. I’m unsure how the lacquered pen will hold up in a work environment that is chock full of hand sanitizer and caustic cleaners. Careful. Very careful.

This week’s palette is heavy on earth tones. It’s a step away from my typical comfort zone. Dusty blues and greys tend to dominate my ink choices. Subdued hues keep me calm (calmer?) during hectic work days.

I’ve been hunting for a brown ink to replace my “perfect” brown for months. Colorverse’s Golden Record was it, but that ink was part of an old limited edition. Golden Record is a a burnt-orange-brown at its darkest. It’s a lovely gold at its lightest. Excellent shading brought out the best of both shades.

This week is my first of two weeks off from work. My pen usage is going to be focused on personal projects. Journaling, outlining posts, drafting essays, and restarting my Hobonichi Weeks.