Van Dieman's 2025 September - Cuckoo Wasp - 100ml Shimmering Fountain Pen Ink

Van Dieman’s Ink – Cuckoo Wasp (September 2025 Ink of the Month)

One of nature’s most dazzling insects, the Cuckoo Wasp (Chrysididae) glitters like a living jewel. With its metallic green body and iridescent blue shimmer, it’s a master of survival—tough, resilient, and unmistakably beautiful. Known for its parasitic nesting habits and ability to curl into a protective ball, the cuckoo wasp is as fascinating as it is brilliant.

Our September Ink of the Month captures this insect’s electric beauty with a cool, light green base that offers subtle shading and excellent legibility. The ink is crowned with a metallic, electric blue shimmer, creating an iridescent effect that shifts and flickers across the page just like the wasp’s armor in sunlight.

✨ Ink Details:

• Base Colour: Cool, light shading green

• Shimmer: Metallic electric blue, highly reflective under light

• Performance: Smooth flow, versatile in medium to broad nibs and calligraphy pens

• Effect: A striking balance between soft readability and brilliant shimmer

🎨 Artwork
For the first time in our Ink of the Month series, we’ve collaborated with an external artist: Ryan Rivers, an illustrator from Launceston, Tasmania. Known for creating meticulous ink-and-watercolor natural studies, Ryan’s artwork brings the cuckoo wasp to life among sprigs of delicate pink blossoms, with layered detail and a true appreciation for Tasmanian flora and fauna.

You can follow Ryan’s work here:
🔗 Ryan Rivers Art on Facebook
🔗 @ryan_rivers_art on Instagram

💎 Limited Edition – Only 100 bottles available.

Special Offer: Buy any 10 Van Dieman’s inks during September and receive a bottle of Cuckoo Wasp free. No code needed.