The Best Pointed Pen Calligraphy Supplies for Beginners

Calligraphy for Beginners: Using a Pointed Pen

If you frequent social media or have been to a wedding, chances are you’ve seen how beautiful calligraphy can be. If you’ve ever wanted to learn calligraphy yourself, this article is for you. We will go over some of the basic calligraphy tools you’ll need to get started and show you how to use them.

There are several ways to make calligraphy, but we will focus on pointed pen calligraphy. This uses a pen with a pointed tip which makes both thick and thin lines by flexing, or bending open, as you press it onto the paper. If you would like to explore brush pen calligraphy, check out our post on Brush Lettering for Beginners.

CALLIGRAPHY SUPPLIES FOR BEGINNERS

Most pointed pen calligraphy is done with dip pens, which consist of a metal nib, or tip, which is attached to a handle called a nib holder. Dip pens do not hold ink; instead, you dip them into a container of ink as you write. They are typically more flexible than fountain pens, which allows them to achieve greater line variation. They are also able to handle more kinds of ink, since they have no inner workings to clog or corrode.

To get started, you will need:

A nib
A nib holder
Fountain pen friendly paper
Ink

Nib

The Nikko G-Nib is relatively firm.

Our favorite nib for beginners is the Nikko G-Nib. Its relative firmness makes it easier to manage than most nibs but it still produces nice thin lines and is capable of a satisfying amount of flex.

Nib Holders

Speedball Oblique Pen Nib Holder and Tachikawa Comic Pen Nib Holder for Various Pen Nib - Model 25

Try both a straight and an oblique nib holder.

Nib holders come in two styles: straight and oblique. Straight nib holders are better for upright calligraphy styles and oblique nib holders make it easier to work with more slanted styles. The Speedball Oblique Pen Nib Holder is a solid, reasonably priced starter oblique pen holder and the straight Tachikawa Comic Pen Nib Holder for Various Pen Nib - Model 25 is a good choice because it secures nibs more firmly than some other inexpensive holders.

Some people prefer to use one type of nib holder for all of their calligraphy, while others switch between them depending on what style of calligraphy they are working with. Experiment with both to find your preference.

Paper

Use fountain pen friendly paper to avoid feathering.

Ordinary printer paper is not suitable for calligraphy because it is too rough. The nib is likely to catch on the paper, causing frustrating ink splatters. Printer paper is also more absorbent, which encourages the ink to spread out along the paper’s fibers. This is called “feathering” and prevents the smooth lines calligraphers aim for.

To make your practice as enjoyable and effective as possible, use paper that is suitable for fountain pens. We recommend Rhodia. It is a high quality, smooth paper that is available lined, blank, or with a dot grid.

Ink

Start with a basic, black ink.

Dip pens can handle many kinds of ink, but all you need to start out is a good, black ink. We recommend Speedball Super Black India Ink. It is reasonably priced, waterproof, and very dark, so your calligraphy will look crisp and clear.

If you prefer the convenience of a set, check out our modern calligraphy starter kit. To learn more about calligraphy supplies, read our Guide to Nibs and Nib Holders, Calligraphy Pen Basics, and Fountain Pen Paper Recommendations.

GETTING READY

A pleasant workspace with all of your supplies conveniently placed allows you to relax and focus during your calligraphy practice.

Find A Place to Write

Use loose sheets of paper for better hand movement.

Choose a place where you can sit comfortably with your feet flat on the floor. It should be clean and uncluttered so that your arm can move freely.

Place a writing board or five to six sheets of scrap paper under the paper you will be writing on. A soft surface like this lets you write more smoothly and naturally than a hard tabletop. It’s better to write on loose sheets of paper because a notepad would prevent your hand from lying flat and interfere with its movement.

Set Up Your Tools

Push the nib into the outer ring.

Place a cup of water and a non-linty towel nearby to periodically clean your nib. You can use a paper towel, but fibers may snag on your nib and cause ink splatters.

If the mouth of your ink bottle is too narrow to dip your nib without touching the sides, pour some ink into a wide-mouth jar to give yourself more space.

It’s easy to spill both your ink and water, so find a spot where you won’t knock them over. Make sure they are still within easy reach, though - you will be

using them a lot. A good place might be above your paper. You can also place them inside a tape roll or tape them down for added security.

Finally, install your nib in your nib holder. Grasp your nib near the base and push it into the outer ring on the end of your nib holder. Try not to grab the nib by the tip, as you could bend it out of shape. Check out the video for a live demonstration of how to install the nib.

BASIC CALLIGRAPHY STROKES

The building blocks of calligraphy are thin upstrokes and thick downstrokes. Thin strokes are made by holding the pen very lightly as you move it upward. Thick strokes are made by pressing down as you move the nib downward. Combining these movements as you make letters and flourishes produces the beautiful line variation calligraphy is known for.

Through Thick and Thin

Use a variety of practice strokes.

To get started, dip your nib into the ink until it covers the hole on the nib’s back, called the “breather hole.” Wipe any excess off on the sides of the bottle and you’re ready to write.

Start with straight downstrokes. Try doing lines without applying any pressure, and then lines with light pressure. See how the line thickness changes. Starting this way will help you not put too much pressure on the nib.
Try some loops with thin upstrokes and thick downstrokes. Make a continuous line of loops using light pressure to connect them.

Next, do press and release drills. Make thick downstrokes and release as you get to the bottom.
Switch it around. Make thin upstrokes that flow into thick downstrokes.
Move on to ovals. Use heavy pressure on the left side that gives way to light pressure on the right.

As you are practicing, you may find that your nib sometimes produces two parallel lines instead of one. This is called “railroading” and occurs when you are pressing down too hard or have run out of ink. Let up on your nib and re-dip.

Once you have gotten the hang of these basic strokes, use them to make letters. Write the alphabet, your name, or anything you like. Imitate scripts you admire and use printable practice sheets for more guidance. Download practice sheets for basic strokes, capitals, lowercase letters, and numerals here.

ADVANCED STROKES AND EQUIPMENT

Are you feeling confident? It’s time to add some pizzazz to your letters.

Changeable Characters

Vary your calligraphy style.

Transform your writing by changing its slant, the width of your strokes, and the length of the connectors. Vary the amount of space between letters and try a curved, angled, or staggered baseline. These modifications alter the feel of your writing, helping it convey movement, whimsy, or formality. Experiment with new ways of forming letters - make them rounder, or thinner, or join them in a different place. You may come up with something completely new.

Flourishing Frills

Try many kinds of flourishes to add pizzazz.

Add flourishes like loops and curlicues to your texts for extra beauty and to make them stand out. Try to only cross heavy lines with lighter lines to keep the design balanced.

You can also trim your calligraphy with drawings that coordinate with your words or the season, and set off important lines with banners. If your design is complicated, you may want to draw it out first with pencil. The sky’s the limit!

Back to Tradition

Challenge yourself with traditional scripts.

Traditional scripts like Copperplate and Spencerian allow less variation than their free-spirited modern descendants, but it’s hard to argue with their classic elegance. You may enjoy the challenge of mastering the subtleties of these writing styles or simply learn them for a specific occasion. One thing is sure - the discipline required will improve all of your calligraphy, whether modern or traditional.

Nib Mania

More flexible nibs can produce greater line variation.

Try nibs that are sharper, more flexible, or more responsive. These allow you to make thinner hairlines and more dramatic flourishes but require more finesse to handle. Three excellent nibs in order of increasing flexibility and sensitivity are:

It takes practice to get used to the more sensitive nibs, but the results are worth it.

TIPS & TRICKS

If your calligraphy isn’t looking quite right or you’re having trouble with your nib, check out the hints below.

If You’re Struggling With Strokes

Faux calligraphy is a good way to get a feel for strokes.

Start with faux calligraphy to get a feel for how the strokes should look. Simply write in cursive then fill in where the downstrokes would be. This mimics the line variation in calligraphy.
Use printable practice sheets for precise guidance on how to form letters. Download ours for basic strokes, capitals, lowercase letters, and numerals here.
Write your text lightly in pencil and trace over it slowly with the pen. Erase the pencil marks when the ink is completely dry.
Practice with larger writing so that you can see your mistakes more easily.

If Your Slant Looks Sloppy

Make your own guidelines with a protractor.

Practice using slanted guidelines. Draw your own with a protractor, or use calligraphy practice paper. Place a guidesheet under your paper if you’d rather work on blank paper.
Rotate your paper to help achieve the correct slant. The best paper position will vary by person.
Switch to an oblique nib holder to get the slant down without rotating your paper as much.

If Your Hand is Tired or Shaky

Do drills often to keep your movements natural.

Warm up with practice strokes.
Shake your hands out to help hold the pen more loosely.
Move your arm when writing, not your wrist.
Practice! Do drills often, even if you’re just doodling while on the phone. This helps make your movements smooth and natural.

If Ink Isn’t Staying on Your Nib

Clean your nibs often.

New nibs come with a thin coating of oil that can interfere with the ink. Remove it with rubbing alcohol, toothpaste and a soft toothbrush, or by passing the nib through a flame.
Dried ink interrupts the flow of ink. If ink has dried on your nib, scrub it gently with a toothbrush and pen cleaner.
Remember to clean your nib periodically while you are using it. Remove the nib from the nib holder after you are done to clean it more thoroughly and allow both to dry completely to avoid rust.

If You Want a Different Look

Try new nibs and inks for more variety.

Try different nibs.
Try new inks. Besides the many types of calligraphy ink, dip pens can be used with almost any liquid that will mark paper. This includes nontraditional mediums like coffee and berry juice as well as watercolors like shimmery Finetecs.

MAKE YOUR OWN STYLE

The joy of modern calligraphy is that you’re free to form your own style - or several, if you like. Calligraphy scripts can complement occasions, reinforce your message, and showcase your personality. To give you some inspiration, here are some scripts that we enjoy.

Flourishing Formality

Formal scripts suit vintage events and classic parties.

Set the tone for your vintage event with this classically flourished, yet modern script. It is sure to impress anyone you send it to, whether that’s your Aunt Jane or the Queen of England.

Products Used: Nikko Comic Pen Nib - G Model and Tachikawa Comic Pen Nib Holder for Various Pen Nib - Model 25

Elegant Delight

Playful flourishes can transform a script.

Sophisticated but not too dignified to have fun - that’s the message you’re sending your guests with this script, whether you’re inviting them to a wedding or a special brunch. The classic letter shapes are balanced out by playful flourishes.

Products Used: Nikko Comic Pen Nib - G Model and Tachikawa Comic Pen Nib Holder for Various Pen Nib - Model 25

Artistic Romance

You don't need a big occasion to use calligraphy.

This slender script’s high angle and scrolled flourishes remind us of lace, romance, and painting by a moonlit lake. Use it for invitations and captivate your guests with your delicate letterforms.

Products Used: Brause 66 Extra Fine Arrow and Speedball Oblique Pen Nib Holder

Wafting Whimsy

Make a collection of inspiring quotes and poems, or give them away!

This flowing style reminds us of breezes, faraway places, and fairy tales. The angle and fluid baseline suggest movement and adventure. Use it to perfectly capture the mood of a favorite poem or quote.

Products Used: Speedball No. 101 and Speedball Oblique Pen Nib Holder

Bouncing Balls

Calligraphed birthday invitations make great keepsakes.

Kids, and kids at heart, also deserve good-looking invitations. Get the fun rolling with this romping script. Its rounded letters and playful baseline set the tone for a rollicking good time.

Products Used: Brause 66 Extra Fine Arrow and Tachikawa Comic Pen Nib Holder for Various Pen Nib - Model 25

Conclusion

Pointed pen calligraphy allows you to turn your writing into amazing art. Have you tried it? Let us know how you use calligraphy in the comments!

Practice Sheets

Use our printable practice sheets to hone in on your calligraphy skills. See examples for basic strokes, capitals, lowercase letters, and numerals below.

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Modern Calligraphy Starter Kit

Still not sure what to try? Check out our Modern Calligraphy Starter Kit! It has everything you need to create the flowing scripts of pointed pen calligraphy! Use these tools to add a touch of beautiful writing to your DIY projects, handmade stationery, and wedding decorations.