Pennonia - Draculea

Pennonia - Draculea - Ink drop

Pennonia released Draculea as a limited-edition ink in 2021. Based in Carei, Romania, Pennonia honors Vlad the Impaler, a national hero of Romania and Bram Stoker’s fictional Dracula with the ink.

Pennonia - Draculea - Color range

Draculea has a medium-light red base with a grey-black pigment. Interesting! When mixed, it creates a very realistic drying blood effect with its charcoal orange-red, and blackened areas of saturation, and a yellow-grey sheen. I did not find the vivid blood red that some others have apparently found.

Pennonia - Draculea - Interesting edging!

This is a nice ink on paper. There is good shading, as the pigment creates rich, blackened areas that contrast and highlight the ink’s burnt rust oranges. It has a nice edging, as well, giving strokes clean definition, and some edge sheening on many papers. I tested it on six papers and didn’t find any feather or bleed. Drying time is a slight weakness on coated papers, but not a deal-breaker. As a pigment ink, you can also count on good water-resistance.

Pennonia - Draculea - Light shading areas

I really like Pennonia. They’re an interesting, innovative company. If you can find Draculea, give it a try. I promise it won’t bite!

Pennonia - Draculea - Ink swatch card