Robert Oster - Muddy Water

Robert Oster - Muddy Water - Ink drop

Muddy Water is part of the special edition Mudpack set released at the end of 2019. The name may not inspire everyone, but these mud-themed inks are far more pleasant than they sound! The seven-ink series was initially sold through the brand’s website, but they are widely available online today. (There’s also an eighth “muddy” ink (Muddy Grass) that was released as a bonus ink to another special edition set more recently.) There’s nothing muddy about these seven colors! I found the entire set to have a gentle beauty, and an unusual appeal.

Robert Oster - Muddy Water - Shading and Sheen

Muddy Water is a medium-dark blue that leans heavily towards grey with subtle green influences. It’s a lovely shading ink, and the ashy greys so prevalent in the chromatography really show in the shading. There’s a brilliant cinnamon red sheen in the splatter, and on some papers, it can sometimes be seen on stroke edging.

Robert Oster - Muddy Water - Color Range

Like many Robert Oster inks, Muddy Water is a bit dry in feel, but it writes extremely well with a smooth, comfortable flow. Strokes were sharp and crisp on friendly papers, and there’s a nice, defining, dark edging on coated papers. Robert Oster inks always seem to perform well.

Robert Oster - Muddy Water - Strokes on Rhodia

I definitely recommend Muddy Water. It’s an attractive ink, appropriate for work or play, and it performs nicely on the page. The shading and occasional sheen make it interesting, and it’s a great all-around ink.

Robert Oster - Muddy Water - Ink Swatch Card

Robert Oster - Muddy Water - Ink Swatch Comparisons