I found this nice box of Shiva block printing inks while organizing my studio. Unfortunately Shiva no longer exists as an ink manufacturer. They operated out of Chicago and eventually moved to their final home in Torrance, California. I believe they ceased operation four or five years ago.
Shiva’s palette was based on the Ostwald colour system which was devised by Latvian-German scientist Wilhelm Ostwald (1853-1932) in 1914, published as Die Farbenfibel (The Colour Primer) in Leipzig in 1916, and refined with Die Harmonie der Farben (The Harmony of Colours) in 1918. That’s an interesting study in itself if you are into colour theory.
I actually have quite a nice little stock of these inks unopened, not all the colours but lots of vermilion which is a favourite. I use Graphic Chemical inks and Daniel Smith but will dip into my Shiva stash from time to time. And they’re holding up fairly well for their age.
Neil Peck August 12, 2010
I saw a nice stash of new Shiva inks in tubes at a garage sale last month. It seemed like they were mainly whites, blues and greens. I passed on them and bought a lot of Daniel Smith intaglio ink that seemed more balanced in its variety of colors. I may have a chance to ask the artist who was selling if she still has them.
John Steins August 12, 2010 — Post author
Thanks for the info Neil and the offer to ask the seller. I’ve actually got lots of new Shiva inks that need to be used up that were passed on to me by my dad.
If you feel inclined you can ask what she wants for them. As long as they aren’t dried out I might buy them.