There are two types of nibs: pointed and broad-edge. Pointed nibs do not use a reservoir, but broad-edge nibs do. Some broad-edge nibs are purchased with a reservoir. These include Brause Bandzug nibs, Speedball ‘C’ and ‘LC’ nibs and Leonardt...
To ensure reliable ink flow, it is important to keep your calligraphy pen clean. Dip pens and nibs should be cleaned after each use. The easiest way to clean your nib is to simply rinse the pen in slow running cold...
Preparing your nib before its first use is crucial for achieving the best calligraphy results. New nibs come with a thin lacquer coating, designed to prevent rust. However, this coating also repels ink, leading to inconsistent ink flow and potential...
Sometimes with the best care we still find something has gone awry. When you notice something has gone wrong, often the best thing to do is go and have a cup of tea. (An exception to that is if the...
Things going wrong – it happens. It’s part of developing our calligraphy. And it’s not the end of the world. This article is going to look at ideas for reducing the chances of something going wrong. Of course it’s...
Every calligrapher will have experienced a fabulous moment – however fleeting – when all the materials (paper, nib, ink) are in harmony, and the letters are forming miraculously on the page! When it doesn’t feel like that – when it’s...
As a calligrapher, you’ll have (hopefully) experienced the feeling of your writing tool gliding across the paper, leaving beautiful marks behind it as it goes.On other days, your relationship with the pen feels less like a sensual dance, and more...
Perhaps you have a little spare time coming up, and you’d like to use it to learn a new calligraphy script? A little aside on the terminology: in calligraphy, instead of saying font, we say script. This is because fonts are only...
So you’ve finished a piece of work, and you’re pleased (or at least not displeased – we’re rather good at the self criticism, us calligraphers!) Getting the finishing touches right can elevate a piece of work into something special, so...
