Learning Pointed Pen Calligraphy
Why am I doing this to myself?
I’ll tell you why…Because I am in love!! ♥️
With an engraver!!
Nobody puts themselves through the kind of emotional roller coaster pointed pen can cause if they’re not in love with something!
Last week, I told y’all I got an engraver and I immediately felt like it went hand-in-hand with calligraphy. So, I’ve been attempting to learn a little more about pointed pen calligraphy because I think it could make my engravings look that much better when I can effortlessly whip up a bunch of flourishes at whim. Y’all know how much I love/hate flourishes.
But, learning pointed pen calligraphy comes at a cost.
Pointed pen calligraphy takes some time to master since your hand has to learn how to create the letterforms in a more consistent way…and, believe me, consistency is not my strong suit at all! It’s a slowwww process…something else I could be better at these days. Even modern calligraphy, which allows for a bit more freedom than traditional calligraphy, still has consistencies to maintain within any given style.
All that said, when it comes to calligraphy glass engraving, I find that faux calligraphy (where the initial word is written in the first pass, and the thick downstrokes are drawn in afterward) is the kind of calligraphy used most. Many calligraphers seem to begin with faux calligraphy before progressing to pointed pen…and they still return to it for applications where the pointed pen would not work (like calligraphy on a chalkboard, calligraphy on glass, etc.).
I believe I will always be better at handlettering (drawing letters) than calligraphy (more akin to writing letters). Drawing letters is just more immediate for me. But, while I’ve seen handlettering engraved on wine bottles and such, I think calligraphy is the more attractive in this application.
As I learn, I plan to share my progress on a semi-weekly basis in my IG Stories. If you’re interested in watching my progress, you can follow me there. Below was last night’s offering.
I think the best way for me to learn calligraphy is to find materials I really like using so that it makes the process of learning it (which could take years 😬) enjoyable. So, I’m experimenting with materials to see which mix is my mix.
Some quick notes:
The nib I used in that particular set last night was the Brause EF 66. I love how responsive it felt! But the nib is very tiny and I am not the most delicate beginner calligrapher in the world…
This week, I plan on using the Nikko G and the Zebra G to see which one I prefer. They are both considered good nibs for beginners and a bit sturdier.
I have also been using a Brause Steno (Blue Pumpkin), which is pretty, but doesn’t like my ink.
I’ve been using Higgins India Ink. But, I probably will try out other inks between now and the time this experimental phase is over.
I haven’t found a paper that I like best yet. I’ve only been using Canson Tracing Paper and Strathmore Bristol Paper. I like the Tracing Paper better because it preserves my printables and the ink I’m using doesn’t bleed through. But, it also has a tendency to bubble a little rather than lay flat on the sheet I’m tracing.
I’m using prints from the books I own, as well as some I find online. While I’ve never really believed in printables for learning much besides how someone else does it, I am using them as a starting point to get used to writing with a nib…Also, I think they can help me with writing letterforms according to a grid with a slant. I struggle with grids (I told you…consistency is not my strong suit 🤷🏾♀️).
Sigh…The things we do for love. ♥️
While I love all of this…It is truly first world. It would be remiss of me not to request, if you are so moved, to please take a moment to pray for those that are currently fighting for their lives in other parts of the world…that they would see another day to experience a first world problem, and that the color of skin would not discolor the right to escape terrorism and armed conflict. 🙏🏾
