How to Hold Calligraphy Pen

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Calligraphy pens are fantastic for writing and people enjoy using them as an art form. There’s a lot of skill that goes into using a calligraphy pen and for a beginner, it can feel frustrating. This post outlines the best ways to hold your pen for writing calligraphy.

Differences Between Holding a Regular Pen and a Calligraphy Pen

When it comes to using a fountain pen or felt tip pen, most people keep their fingers curled around it. If you try this when using a dip pen, you’ll quickly realise that it’s not the right approach. 

The way you hold a calligraphy pen is different to using a regular straight pen. For starters, the grip needs to be lighter compared to when you use dip pens, and your index finger should only slightly bend. Your middle finger, index finger, and thumb are used to support the pen properly. 

Using a Basic Grip

Whilst you’re writing modern calligraphy, make sure that you minimize your finger movement. Due to muscle memory from using regular pens, you’ll need to practice not letting your fingers move too much.

Most of the movement should come from your arm and not your fingers. The fingers are there to provide pressure to the pen nib for the ink to flow on the paper. 

One of the common mistakes that beginners make when learning this writing tool is that they hunch over too much. Advanced calligraphers always maintain a good posture and use a comfortable chair whilst writing.

This can help you breathe better, avoid back pain, and put your body in a better position to hold a calligraphy pen in a way that feels natural. 

Holding an Oblique Calligraphy Pen

There are different calligraphy pens available, including an oblique pen. These were made to provide right-handed people with an easier angle to write with. However, some left-handed people have also found that an oblique pen feels more natural for them when writing calligraphy. 

If you’re looking to improve your right-leaning slant, an oblique pen is a great tool. People are often put off from using these pens due to how they look, however, once you know the technique, they’re not all that intimidating. 

If your dominant hand is your right hand, hold the grip similarly to how you do with an upright pen. Your middle finger should be under the pen, and your index finger and thumb should be on top.

However, make sure that your thumb is on the flange to get more pressure and gain better control whilst writing on paper. The ink flow will be better, and you’ll have more control when you create your art. If you write with your left hand, you can apply the same principles. 

Common Mistakes When Learning To Write Calligraphy

• The pen position with your downward and upward stroke is one of the main elements that people get wrong. If you hold the dip pen with too much of an upright angle, the nib holder will dig into the paper. Hold the pen at more of an angle with less pressure to write more smoothly across the writing surface.
• The part of the nib that comes into contact with the paper when using these pens is incredibly important, despite popular belief. Make sure that you apply pressure as evenly as possible by using strokes with a different nib angle and see which works best. 

Conclusion

The techniques are different compared to fountain pens and a brush pen which means that you’ll need to practice. There are different writing styles that implement various factors, such as the amount of ink flow and whether they use thick strokes or thin strokes.

Grab some practice sheets and try out the different methods. Practice your downward stroke as well as your upward strokes and experiment to find a better angle. There are different types of grips depending on the pens you’re using and the art you want to create.

Hopefully, you’re feeling more confident about how to hold the pen when it comes to using a calligraphy pen for artwork and writing after reading out tips.

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