Calligraphy pens are pens that help handwriting reach the pinnacle of beautiful and unique handwriting. To start practicing calligraphy, it is necessary that you have a calligraphy pen and ink. Just choose the right type of calligraphy pens and practice diligently, and in no time you will be able to raise your handwriting to a new level, without necessarily becoming a professional calligrapher.
Calligraphy pens not only help create beautiful writing but also are a means of expressing the personality and style of the writer. In this article, let’s explore in-depth calligraphy pens, the types of pens, how to use them, and the benefits of practicing this art with WiixStore.
Types Of Calligraphy Pens
Calligraphy pens come in many different varieties, each offering a distinct writing experience and suited to different calligraphy styles. Each type of pen has its own characteristics and uses, creating diversity and richness in the art of calligraphy.
Dip Pen
Dip pens have only two parts: the nib and the holder. Unlike fountain pens, dip pens do not have an ink reservoir, so the writer must constantly dip the pen in ink to replenish the nib. However, due to the almost non-existent need for daily writing, dip pens are only used for illustration and calligraphy.
Dipping ink is rarely used in the “pro” world because it is difficult to control the amount of ink in the nib. Therefore, brush pens are often used to apply ink to the nib. Besides, in addition to ink, these calligraphy pens sometimes requires more expensive materials such as gold (metallic gold gouache) or titanium white, using a brush pen helps users save a lot more than “dip.” Dip pens are often replaced by the name nib pens for this reason.
Cartridge-filled Pen
The cartridge-filled pen has an internal ink supply system, which keeps your hands cleaner and is much more convenient to use. It is especially suitable for those who do not like to have to arrange a bunch of writing tools around them when writing.
On the other hand, you are limited in your choice of ink and stroke style. Dip pen ink is thicker than cartridge-filled ink, and if you use it, it will clog the pen tip so make sure you be careful when using it.
Fountain Pen
Fountain pens are an important tool in the art of calligraphy, especially favored for their precision and convenience. With a design that includes a sturdy metal or plastic pen body and a pen nib made of stainless steel or gold, fountain pens allow writers to create sharp and even strokes. Pen nibs often come in many different sizes, from thin to thick, making it easy for users to choose according to their desired writing style.
A highlight of the fountain pen is the ink refill system, which allows the writer to easily change the ink color without worrying about the ink being too saturated or drying out. Thanks to the ability to control the pressure and thickness of the strokes, the fountain pen gives the artist the flexibility to create different lettering styles, from simple letters to complex calligraphy works. The fountain pen is not only a writing tool but also an important part of expressing the beauty and art in each calligraphy pens work.
Nowadays, there are many quality fountain pen models from many different brands around the world such as Parker, Montblanc or Montagut. In particular, Montagut fountain pens are famous for their slim, elegant but equally powerful pen designs, helping you practice with calligraphy pens for a long time without fear of hand fatigue.
Types Of Calligraphy Nibs
Calligraphy is a subject that requires the writer to grasp knowledge of typography and have an intuitive perspective to create unique handwriting with his own hands. And the pen nib is an important part that helps to do that. There are 2 main types of calligraphy pens nibs: Italic nib and Flex nib. Each type of nib is suitable for writing different types of fonts.
Italic Nib
An italic nib is a special type of pen nib designed to create slanted strokes, commonly used in calligraphy and handwriting. With a flat shape and sharp edges, italic nibs allow the writer to create soft curves and even strokes, giving a sense of elegance and sophistication to the work. This nib is often produced in many different sizes, from small to large, suitable for many different writing styles and letter sizes.
Italic nibs are commonly used for Gothic, Italic, and block lettering styles. When writing with an italic nib, users can easily adjust the thickness and slant of the strokes by changing the angle and pressure, thereby creating unique and rich works of art. However, they are not very versatile in creating a wide variety of letterforms.
Flex Nib
The flex nib is made up of two nib blades that come together to form a pointed tip, so the width of the stroke will depend on the clearance between these two nib blades.
Flex nibs are not only suitable for lettering but can also be used to create intricate designs, patterns and lettering, allowing artists to express their creativity and individuality in each work. However, using flex nibs requires the writer to have the skill to control pressure precisely to create beautiful and even strokes.
Suitable Ink & Paper For Calligraphy Pens
Ink depends on the type, but generally dip pen ink is not expensive because it is not as picky about ink as fountain pens. Unlike fountain pens, dip pens do not have ink cartridges or feeds, so they can work with all types of ink that fountain pens cannot, including acrylic ink, iron gall ink,…
Fountain pen ink uses dye to create color, so it is very diluted, does not stick to the tip or paper, and the writing is not as sharp as other pigment-based inks. If you really want to follow the calligraphy tradition, you should give iron gall ink a shot.
Moreover, 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 wash the nib regularly, calligraphy ink rusts the nib very quickly.
Calligraphy pens are a great tool to explore the art of beautiful and delicate writing. With a variety of pens, each with its own advantages, you can easily find one that suits your style and personal preferences. With regular practice and patience, you will be able to create beautiful calligraphy works while enjoying the benefits that this art brings. Start your journey to explore the world of calligraphy pens today!