HOW TO HOLD CALLIGRAPHY PEN

According to Princeton University's Wordnet, the definition of the word calligraphy is, in fact, "beautiful writing." With practice, a writer can learn the basics of calligraphy and use this talent to add a touch of style and grace. The first step to learning calligraphy is learning to hold a calligraphy pen properly. The foundation of calligraphy is the angle of the pen nib (the tip of the pen) to the paper. To master this angle, you must hold the pen properly.

Instructions

Things you need

• Lined paper (lines 1-inch apart)
• Calligraphy pen

1. 1
   Sit at a table or desk in a comfortable chair. Provide yourself with adequate lighting so you can see your work surface well.
2. 2
   Place the paper in front of you on the flat surface. Some people angle the paper to facilitate a slant in the writing, and other people keep the paper straight and create the slant with their writing technique. Experiment with both paper positions to find what you prefer.
3. 3
   Hold the pen in your dominant hand with your index finger and thumb loosely grasping the pen approximately 1 inch away from the tip. Allow the pen to rest gently onto the large knuckle of your index finger (at the base of your finger). The pen should be at a 45-degree angle as it sits loosely in your grasp, with the end of the pen pointing toward your shoulder.
4. 4
   Rest your hand holding the pen on the paper and position the nib of the pen at the point where you wish to make a mark. Begin the first calligraphy stroke by putting the nib of the pen to the paper at a 45-degree angle and moving the pen smoothly on the surface of the paper. Make the pen movements with your forearm and not with your fingers to create stroking motions.
5. 5
   Keep your hand and fingers motionless as they hold the pen, and make the strokes by moving your arm. Strive to maintain the 45-degree angle of the pen in your hand.

   
   

IMAGES OF CALLIGRAPHY PAPERS

HOW TO USE CALLIGRAPHY PENS

1. • 1
     Understand that good calligraphy writing is based on patterns of ovals and lines. All letters are written with the calligraphy pens using a series of ovals and lines.
   • 2
     Write the lower case letters by starting at the top of the letter. Make sure all of your down strokes in each letter are parallel. There should be even spacing and even white space between each letter. All capital letters should be the same height. Many calligraphers used lined paper to practice or they place lined paper under the paper they are writing on to use as a guide when sliding the pens over the surface of the paper.
   • 3
     Make sure that all of your lower case letters are of the same height. Make sure they connect and look right together. Do not switch letter types or nibs in the center of a word.
   • 4
     Change the nib of the pen for different looks. Your calligraphy set should have a chart stating which marks and techniques can be created using each individual nib.
   • 5
     Practice using the different nibs. A good calligrapher will practice a lot in order to perfect the writing style. Calligraphy takes a lot of time, patience and practice.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash the calligraphy pen nibs after each use.
• Instead of dipping the nibs into the ink, buy some calligraphy pens that already have the ink inside them.

CALLIGRAPHY INKS

Ink is arguably one of the most important parts of Calligraphy along with pens and supports (paper).  Ink is also a highly personal choice – what works well for one calligrapher might be a disaster for another.
        Fortunately, there is a wide range of varieties, formulas and colors to choose from that also can be confusing when searching for the “perfect” calligraphy ink. 

There are three types of inks suitable for calligraphy:

• fountain pen ink (only for calligraphy fountain pens – not dip pens)
• drawing/calligraphy ink (for dip pens)
• Chinese/Japanese stick ink (for dip pens)                                                                                                    

Calligraphy Fountain Pen Ink

Calligraphy fountain pens are a little more restrictive as to what type of ink should be used in the pen.  One should generally follow the recommendations of the pen manufacturer or choose inks that are specifically labeled for fountain pens.

       Calligraphy fountain pens typically use ink contained in plastic cartridges so it is relatively simple to purchase refills specific to your pen.  A few brands might also have the option of purchasing or including a converter that will allow you to use bottled ink instead of cartridges. 

       Since calligraphy fountain pens can be much more expensive than dip pens, make sure the ink is thoroughly flushed and the pen cleaned after each use. 

Dip Pens

Dip pens allow greater latitude with ink selection, and can also be used with other media such as gouache or an acrylic-based ink. Certain characteristics that suit my calligraphy style:

• dense, black color
• produces clean, crisp strokes without fading or “puddling”
• a “thicker” ink that grabs the reservoir but flows evenly
• does not fade or change color over time
• does not show overlapping pen strokes
• does not contain any ingredients that might damage the support material or pen nib.
• a “cool” color

 More translucent or thinner, free-flowing inks can be used to create amazing artistic effects that add beauty and character to lettering.

Chinese/Japanese Stick Ink

       Traditionally tools for Chinese/Japanese calligraphy and painting, somewhere along the line Western calligraphers discovered the unique properties and beauty of ground stick ink for dip pen lettering. A mid-range quality ink stick and ink stone will produce good ink for calligraphy. 
      All you need is an ink stone for grinding the ink, an ink stick, and distilled water.  The ink is produced by placing about a teaspoon of water on the stone and, holding the ink stick in an upright position, slowly grinding the ink into the water with a circular motion.
The ink needs to be ground carefully; too much pressure will cause bits of ink to chip off and might crack the stick.  Once the ink is at the desired consistency, it is loaded into the pen reservoir using a brush.  The ink stone should be cleaned with water (nothing abrasive) as dried ink left on the stone will damage the surface.  When finished grinding ink, dry the ink stick and store it – never leave the ink stick standing on the stone!
      "There are plenty of opinions and recommendations about calligraphy ink, but ultimately only you can decide what ink is best for your style and purpose."
       Remember, there is no “right” or “wrong” ink – just the ink that works for you – and your pen!!!!

THE HISTORY OF CALLIGRAPHY

The word ‘Calligraphy’ means beautiful writing. Calligraphy is the art to make elegant handwriting. Before the invention of printing press, this was the way to make each page of books. Each copy of books was handwritten. A flat-edged pen was used to write.

Today, there are three types of calligraphy-

1. Western or Roman.

2. Arabic

3. Chinese or Oriental.

HISTORY:

The Calligraphy originated during the Stone Age. Letters did not exist but the things were described by making pictures. The major events of the caveman’s life were described by the caveman on the walls of the cave in the form of pictorial representation. The art of making pictures modernized with the development of humans. Egyptians played a very important role to develop drawing pictures. In about 3600 B.C, the Egyptians created the hieroglyphics for which they are so well known. These symbols were used inside the tombs of the pharaohs or painted with brushes across papyrus paper. Around 1000 B.C, the Phoenicians created what is now believed to be one of the first alphabets and writing systems. They were sea faring type hence they passed their talent in every seaport they reached. They influenced the Greeks a lot who later on developed their own kind of writing which by 850 BC the Romans had adapted to suit the Latin language.

Latin was the lingua franca of the churches of Europe in the Middle Ages and the monks (and a smattering of nobility) constituted the only literate members of society. The monks started to write ancient text in books. Since paper was costly at that time, so the monks discovered a new style of Calligraphy which can accommodate more words in a single line. This new style was known as Gothic and lasted as a popular scribing technique throughout much of the Middle Ages.

Based on the Gothic style of the monks, in 15 century, Johannes Gutenberg discovered the printing press. This allowed a faster printing of books. Although the use of printing press was high, the handwriting skill was in demand. Italians during this time invented the italic script, which became popular throughout most of Europe. One hundred years later, artistic penmanship was in a steep decline.

In 19 century, flat-edge pens were replaced by the fountain pens and steel pens. It became difficult to achieve beautiful curves of calligraphy with these replaced pens due to its rounded tips. The value of calligraphy was going to disappear but a British poet and artist William Morris in the mid-19th century spearheaded a calligraphic revival, reintroducing the flat edged pen and elevating the act of writing to the art form of its past.

It appears that the art of calligraphy couldn’t possibly withstand the competition from the 20th century’s most important invention – the computer. With a click of the mouse, a list of various scripts are generated electronically and lasered onto bleached paper in an instant – the art of script preserved in an electronic pulse. But calligraphy is flourishing more than ever with calligraphic societies throughout the United States and Europe. Computers may print the copies different calligraphy but it does not have the talent to make new styles calligraphy.

CALLIGRAPHER’S PEN:

A calligrapher’s pen is very important to write a new style of handwriting. It can be flat-edged (can be made of bamboo) or rounded tip pen or can be brush. For some decorative purposes, multi-nibbed pens—steel brushes—can be used. The work of calligraphy has also been done with ball pens. The ink used are water based and are less viscous than the oil based inks used in printing press.

IMAGES OF CALLIGRAPHY PEN NIBS.

PENS USED IN CALLIGRAPHY