Calligraphy is a type of writing that has been developed over thousands of years in many different cultures around the world. Whether you are an artist, a writer or you just want to learn as a hobby, knowing how to write with a calligraphy pen is a valuable and rewarding skill.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Calligraphy Pen
Step 1. Get to know the four main types of calligraphy pen
Each type uses a different ink and this is one of the most important elements in the practice of calligraphy. The choice will be highly personal, as you will need to use a suitable ink and a pen that fits well in your hand and with which you can feel comfortable. Here are the four ideal tools for this type of writing:
- Calligraphy Markers: Great for beginners, as they are inexpensive, easy to use and require no prior ink preparation; however, this tends to run out quickly and pierce the paper when writing. These tools are therefore great for practicing, but are not the ideal choice for important documents or artistic work.
- Fountain pens: generally used by intermediate and advanced calligraphers, these pens are usually fed with interchangeable cartridges, from which the ink flows into a feeder and then passes into the cut of the nib, which finally deposits it on the sheet.
- Dip nibs: tools used by advanced level people, but also suitable for beginners who have patience and desire to learn. They consist of three components: a nib-holder straw (the part that you hold while writing), a nib (a metal sheet with a slit, which releases the ink on the paper) and a reservoir (a small ring or concavity that feeds the nib); some reservoirs are positioned above the nib, others below, but their purpose is in any case to contain a small amount of ink, to be able to write various letters or lines without having to continuously dip the nib.
- Brush pen: consist of a small brush (6 to 20 mm wide) of nylon or natural bristles. The head, which must be dipped in ink before starting to write, should be made up of short and stiff hair, in order to have more control over the lines that will be drawn. Practicing calligraphy with this type of tool will be a different experience from using pens or markers, because the brush is very susceptible to the pressure of the user's hand (the higher pressure corresponds to a thicker line) and begins to write in a irregular when the ink is running out. Also, brush pens can be challenging for a beginner, as they are more complex to use than other tools.
Step 2. Try one or two pens at a time
Finding the one that works best for you may be a process that will take several tries; start by using two different pens (such as a marker and a fountain pen), to understand how the different types fit into your writing.
- You could also narrow down your choice by reflecting on how complex you want the writing process to be and how many pieces you want your calligraphy kit to be composed of: for example, using a brush pen requires preparation of the ink before starting to write and it will be necessary to dip the brush repeatedly; despite this, writing will be smoother than with a marker, which does not require prior preparation.
- If you have to decide between a fountain pen and a dip nib, remember that with the second type of instrument you will have more freedom of choice between nibs of various shapes, inks and straws, but the writing could be more complicated and irregular; on the contrary, a fountain pen (or other cartridge pen) will be simpler and cheaper, since you will not have to prepare the ink, but will limit you to a smaller choice of inks and will be less flexible.
Step 3. Buy ink for the dip nib or brush pen
If you have decided to use either of these two tools, you will need to purchase the ink bottles separately. Do not use fountain pen ink but calligraphic ink, which is denser and has better adherence to the nib, giving you better control over your writing.
Look for dense inks, like India ink in bottles (or solid, in rods). Avoid those that contain shellac, as it dries quickly and could damage the nib or brush of the brush pen. Most often these pens are sold in kits that already include the right color
Step 4. Purchase fountain pen cartridges
Most of these pens are sold with cartridges and nibs recommended by the manufacturer, whose guidelines should be followed at the beginning of the calligraphic practice.
Some pens have a converter or other charging mechanism, which, once you have practiced with the recommended types, will allow you to use many different inks in the bottle. The ink for these tools is more fluid, so as not to clog the pen feeder, while the nib, compared to those for dipping or brush pens, is more rigid and less flexible
Step 5. Choose a nib for your pen
Unlike popular thought, it is not a good idea to dip the entire nib into ink, as doing so will result in an uncontrolled flow and drip of color onto the paper; rather use a dropper. Instead of shopping sprawl, invest in a good stylus that fits the style you want to develop. The two most common types for calligraphy are:
- Italic nibs: generally used to write in styles such as Gothic or Italic, they have a flat tip and are rigid, so they do not offer you enough flexibility to be able to vary the thickness of the lines while writing.
- Flexible nibs: Preferred by many calligraphers, they have a more rounded shape and two pointed wings. As you write, different levels of pressure will cause the prongs to widen differently, producing lines of greater or lesser thickness depending on how much you press the pen onto the paper.
Part 2 of 3: Ink the Pen and Choose the Paper
Step 1. Insert the cartridge into the fountain pen
This pen has three main components: the cap, the section (the part that houses the nib and the power supply) and the barrel. The cartridge is housed inside the barrel and feeds the nib. To start writing follow this procedure:
- Remove the cap and unscrew the barrel from the section by turning it counterclockwise;
- Insert the cartridge by pressing it firmly into the section, opposite the nib. When you have hooked it correctly you will hear a "click";
- Once you have a good handwriting skills you will be able to use both cartridges and bottled ink.
Step 2. Use a dropper to fill the reservoir of the dip nib or brush pen
Due to their different functioning, these pens will need to be inked after writing a few letters or words. To use them read the following steps:
- Hold the pen horizontally with your main hand;
- Use your other hand to fill the dropper with ink;
- Pour the ink into the pen reservoir, holding the pen horizontally to avoid dripping onto the paper or your hands;
- Place the dropper on a saucer near the ink bottle, as you will have to use it again after a few minutes of writing;
- Test the flow of the pen on a scrap of paper before you start writing.
Step 3. Write on paper suitable for fountain pens, not office paper
Cheaper paper, such as office paper, is thin and excessively absorbs ink, ruining your handwriting. Go to a well-stocked stationery shop and look for paper suitable for fountain pens.
- Most of these types of paper will be thicker and of higher quality to prevent the ink from bleeding or "plucking".
- At the beginning of your calligraphy practice, it would be best to use lines, sheets with guidelines and margins correct for the style you want to practice. You can find here a practice sheet suitable for beginners, with which you can learn how to write correctly so that, when you have a more defined technique, it is easy for you to use blank sheets.
Part 3 of 3: Starting with the Basic Traits
Step 1. Use dip nibs or brush pens on an inclined surface
These tools work best when used on inclined surfaces such as an adjustable desk, easel, or tablet resting on your legs and at the edge of a table.
- Always use a stable base that cannot slide in any direction; it would be better to adjust the height of your chair, in order to achieve an optimal writing position.
- Keep the ink bottle within reach of your secondary hand and close to the dropper so you can ink the pen quickly. You should also have a saucer near you to put the pen on in case of work interruptions; will allow you to avoid staining the sheets or your hands.
Step 2. Attach the paper to the writing surface
Use scotch tape or thumbtacks to fix the sheets, lying flat, on the base you have chosen: a sheet free to move will make you get only imprecise lines and ink stains.
- If you are using lines or lined paper, it would be better to put a thicker sheet under it, so that the ink cannot stain the table.
- You could also place your main hand on a rectangle of plastic, so that the natural oils of the leather are not absorbed by the paper, risking to ruin the writing.
Step 3. Start with a downward stroke
Hold the pen parallel to the top guideline (at an angle of 0 °). Keep the nib flat on the paper as you bring it down, applying even pressure: you should get a vertical stroke of the maximum width possible with your pen.
- To get the finest stroke possible, move the pen horizontally from left to right. Make thick vertical and thin horizontal strokes, drawing squares; in this way you will learn to exert the necessary pressure to write both thickly and lightly.
- Move your arm, instead of your wrist, to move the pen; doing so will keep the correct angle and get smooth writing.
Step 4. Continue with an upward stroke
Tilt the pen at a 45 ° angle to the horizontal (use the squares drawn earlier as a guide, tracing the diagonal and keeping the nib parallel to this line). Practice making upward strokes while maintaining this angle, starting at the bottom of the paper.
Vary the pressure for each stroke: pressing more will result in thick lines, while lightening your hand will result in thinner writing
Step 5. Do zigzag strokes
Use the lines of the paper to create zigzag marks and learn how to angle the pen correctly, which you will always need to keep at 45 °.
- Draw thin strokes going upwards and thick strokes downwards, proceeding in a zigzag; every three lines lift the pen, then make a mark going down and then one up.
- Fill an entire practice sheet with these lines.
Step 6. Use the correct guide sheets for various calligraphy styles
Practice drawing squares and tracing the various marks, until you are comfortable with these basic lines; then you can dedicate yourself to letters and words, choosing your favorite calligraphic style.
