How to Write With a Calligraphy Pen



Calligraphy writing is a fantastic skill to possess for hobbyists, artists, and writers. If you’re interested in how to start using calligraphy pens to start writing, check out the details below. 

After reading through this post, you’ll have a better idea about the different types of pens available and which ones would be best for you so that you can start putting the techniques into practice for writing calligraphy.

Finding Your Calligraphy Pen

There are four main types of calligraphy pens available that vary due to how they feel and the kind of ink that’s used. Finding the pen that’s right for you will depend on how well it fits your hand and how it feels whilst you use it. 

  • Felt tip – These pens are fantastic for beginners due to how they’re easy to use and affordable. Having said that, it’s best to use these pens for practising due to how the ink can sink through the paper which doesn’t make it great for writing documents. 
  • Fountain pens – Once you’ve practised with a felt tip, using a fountain pen is your next best option. The pen nib can be changed along with the ink. 
  • Dip pens – Experienced calligraphers use dip pens, although, intermediate-level calligraphers can also use them. These pens have a shaft, a metal nib, and a handle. There’s also a reservoir that provides a small slit with the ink whilst you write or draw. This allows you to draw with multiple strokes before refilling the ink.  
  • Brush pens – Using a brush pen is great for having more control over your lines whilst drawing. You can change the thickness of a line by adding or removing the pressure to the brush tip. These can be trickier to use, but beginners and intermediates can still use them to practice their downward and upward strokes. 

Calligraphy Practice

Starting with nailing the basic principles, including the downward stroke is your best bet. Start at the top of the paper and keep the pen at a 45-degree angle. Smoothly draw a line downwards and curve it towards the end at the bottom. Continue doing this until you’re able to create a pattern that looks consistent. 

You can then start experimenting with patterns, such as sawtooth patterns. This involves drawing circles continuously that run into each other. Try adding and removing pressure at different times to see the effect that it creates. 

Practice sheets are also great for learning to write in different fonts using a calligraphy pen. Try a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters to develop and improve new ways of writing.

The angle at which you hold the pen on the writing surface makes a big impact on your writing/artwork. Many calligraphy pens only work best when you hold them at a certain angle. Therefore, you’ll want to experiment with the angles to see what works best. So, practice using different angles to see the effects that it has on the page. 

Also read: How to Hold Calligraphy Pen

Conclusion

Calligraphy is a wonderful art form that can enable you to draw and write letters and draw in a unique way. After reading through the tips above, we hope that you’re feeling more confident about giving it a shot. 

The more you practice, the better your calligraphy skills will be! To simply write calligraphy is a test in itself!


Affiliate Disclosure

In compliance with the FTC guidelines, please assume the following about all links, posts, photos and other material on this website: Any/all of the links on this website are affiliate links of which The Big Red Illustration Agency receives a small commission from sales of certain items, but the price is the same for you. www.bigredillustrationagency.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk. Pages on this site may include links to Amazon and its affiliate sites on which the owner of this website will make a referral commission.

FULL TERMS HERE Cookie preferences: cookie preferences

Written By Adam Rushton

Adam has made a name for himself in the illustration industry and is a passionate blogger and writer on the subject of art, illustration and graphic design.

His artwork has been featured in countless publications and used for very well-known media projects. As a professional illustrator for over 20 years, Adams media outlets, a wealth of knowledge, and experience enable him to consult and advise artists and illustrators in this country (from York and Manchester to Southampton and London) and all over the world.


Shares