Dip Pen: Discover The Art Of Beautiful Calligraphy Writing

Dip pens are a centuries-old traditional writing instrument that is prominent in calligraphy and handwriting. Unlike fountain pens or ballpoint pens, they require the writer to dip the nib into ink before writing. With a combination of simple design and the ability to create beautiful handwriting, dip pens have become one of the favorite tools of many artists and calligraphy enthusiasts.

Montagut MT160 Signature Fountain Pen Set: A Mark of Distinction - Dip Pen
Montagut MT160 Signature Fountain Pen Set: A Mark of Distinction

The special feature of the dip pen is that the user needs to dip the pen tip into the ink before writing. This flexibility allows the writer to adjust the pressure and speed when writing, thereby creating thin or thick strokes, bringing a lively and artistic feeling. It is not only a writing tool but also an important part in expressing the creativity and personality of the artist in each calligraphy work.

Structure of A Dip Pen

Dip pens consist of three main parts: the pen body (holder), the pen nib, and the ink. The pen body is usually made of wood, plastic, or metal, with a design that fits comfortably in the hand and is easy to hold. The pen nib is the most important part, usually made of stainless steel or gold, and comes in many different shapes and sizes. Each type of pen nib will create different lettering styles, from thin lines to bold lines.

The Pen Body

Pen bodies are divided into two types: holder and oblique holder.

Honestly, there’s really not much to say about the holder, nothing more simpler than its design. Just like a normal pen, with a nib hole at the top. That’s it.

But the oblique holder is different. Designed specifically for copperplate with a 55-degree tilt (when you first learn copperplate you will have to sit down and draw a few sheets of paper to get this angle right), the oblique holder is also tilted at the same angle so that right-handed people can flex to the angle of the letter more easily.

The Dip Pen Nib

To understand the different types of nibs, you must first know the nib structure. The tip of the nib (with a pointed tip) is split into two leaves (tines). When pressure is applied, these two leaves will spread out to create large strokes. 

Italic nibs also have splits, the larger the nib, the more splits there are to guide the ink from the ink tank (shank) to the tip of the nib. Below the split side is the venthole, without which the ink cannot (or will have difficulty) flow. Besies, many nibs have a few more lines on the two leaves to support the flexibility of the nib. Flex nibs often have shoulder slots on both sides to support this purpose.

There are two main types of calligraphy nibs: pointed and square (italic). Pointed nibs are often used for round hand scripts such as copperplate and spencerian. Square nibs are used for black letter styles such as gothic, roman, etc.

Stub nibs for dip pens are very rare, simply because they are not used for writing. Calligraphy with italic nibs is very difficult to write quickly for that reason, in return the strokes of italic are very sharp, very straight, stubs cannot be compared.

The Ink

What else do you need besides the nib and the pen? Of course, you need ink. You can use fountain pen ink for dip pens if you want. However, you should take advantage of the durability of this pen to explore other types of ink. Fountain pen ink uses dye to create color, so it is very diluted, does not stick to the nib or paper, and the writing cannot be as sharp as other types of ink mixed with pigment. If you really want to follow the calligraphy tradition, try iron gall ink.

Discover the Excellence of Montagut Signature Pen Ink
Discover the Excellence of Montagut Signature Pen Ink

Furthermore, when using a dip pen, you should prepare a small bowl of ink, a cup of water, and paper (or a towel). The ink should be poured into the bowl to avoid dirtying the entire bottle every time you dip the nib. The pen nib carries water, hand oil, and worse, paper dust, so using ink directly from the bottle is not recommended. After about 15 minutes, rinse the nib with water to avoid ink residue, dry it with paper and continue writing. Remember to clean your nibs regularly, calligraphy inks rust nibs very quickly.

Benefits of A Dip Pen

Dip pens allow writers to express their creativity by changing the pen tip, ink, and writing technique. This allows writers to create many different styles and fonts. Specifically, with the ability to adjust pressure, they allow writers to create soft, charming strokes, which many people love in the art of calligraphy.

Adjusting the pressure when writing will create different thicknesses of strokes, expressing creativity in each work. Using a dip pen gives a sense of authenticity and tradition, allowing the writer to connect with the art of handwriting more deeply. 

Compare Dip Pen With Other Pens

When comparing dip pens to other pens such as fountain pens or ballpoint pens, they stand out for their ability to create rich and delicate handwriting. While fountain pens offer convenience and precision, dip pens allow the writer to express his creativity through each stroke. Ballpoint pens, although popular and easy to use, cannot create the depth and richness of handwriting that this pen can provide.

Montagut MT2200 Versatile Signature Pen Set: The Epitome of Elegance and Functionality
Montagut MT2200 Versatile Signature Pen Set: The Epitome of Elegance and Functionality

Dip pen is not only a writing tool but also a part of art and creativity. With the ability to create beautiful and rich strokes, it has attracted the attention of many calligraphy lovers. If you are looking for a unique and meaningful writing experience, dip pen is definitely a great choice to explore the world of handwriting art. WiixStore hopes that you can start your creative journey with dip pen today!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *