This is my biggest project so far. The first goal of this project was to become more familiar with the text of Chronicle of Dalimil. The other goal was to practice calligraphy. To be honest, I’m pretty satisfied with the result and I’m happy I can share it with you. But at the same time, I’m open to criticism. Do you have any suggestions on how I can improve? Is there any particular detail you don’t like? Am I missing something? Unfortunately, I have never studied theory, or have a teacher, so it is possible there are mistakes.

Hi! I’m super new to calligraphy. When I google Humanist Minuscule I find so many different examples. As I search I find the G and Y are totally different…. And I’m confused.

What is the best way to find the most accurate example of a script so I can practice the correct letters?

Hello, I'm using a modified pen, but the nib is a pilot parallel, 6mm. Using Call of the Cthulhu - Wearingeul ink

But I see other people use this pen and it just stays wet and glossy, but mine just seeps.

I remember that in the 1980s and 1990s, before Copperplate became widely popular, Italic was also in vogue. It was easier to write than Copperplate, which required practicing many oval shapes.

I have noticed that many people in this sub and also YouTube creators, who do calligraphy, use dip pens of some variety. Even when discussing alternative tools, most tutorials don’t even mention fountain pens. Why not? As far as flex nibs go, of course you can get a dip pen with a flex nib for much cheaper when getting into the hobby, but that can’t be the only reason.

I have been a fountain pen collector for years now and have just recently started to learn calligraphy. Despite every guide I have read and tutorial I have watched that recommends pens that are not fountain pens, I am in fact using fountain pens exclusively. I have been using a vintage fountain pen to learn copperplate. I also got a little 1.1mm stub nib to try some small blackletter this week, peep the Diamond mini in the photo.

Disclaimer: I know my spacing got a touch messed up throughout my lowercase alphabet as I lost my groove a little, but as this is only my first few days doing it, it’s my best blackletter alphabet I have produced thus far.

Anyway, is there anybody using fountain pens on these endeavors? Are there drawbacks I don’t know about?

I have a Pilot Falcon myself and I love how he manages to express very well its potential with this style, I'd like to know more about it. Any ideas?

Hello, First time posting here, so a little context if you'd care to listen:

I recently started practicing copperplate calligraphy, and I love reservoirs with dip pen nibs as I can write for much longer.

I use a glass pipette to drip ink on the reservoir rather than dip the nib in a bottle of ink.

The particular types of reservoir I use are springs with a magnet.

However, I noticed that a stain appears on the nib after using a reservoir. And the nibs are also now magnetic 🧲 probably from contact with the magnets?

I use Kuretake sumi ink 60, Brause rose nib, Principal extra fine nib, Nikko G, Brause 361 blue pumpkin.

So, my question is, are the reservoirs allowing the ink to sit on the nib for much longer than usual (i.e. compared to dipping and then rinsing with water) and so the ink is wearing away the nib prematurely? Or is the ink the issue because of the ingredients within it dissolving the metal nib?

Shall I water down my ink or use a different ink?

Thank you for reading and any experiences or advice you share in advance 😊

Day 5 of daily practice and I'm back with another question. Is this nib too steep? How steep do you have your nib? I was noticing over the last few days that I wasn't getting as good a line variation as I was hoping between the up and down strokes. I remembered I could change the angle of the nib on the nib holder today so I have adjusted it to be much steeper than it was and noticing an improvement straight away between the line thicknesses on up and down strokes. Its also easier to load the nib now its at this angle. Its a little more scratchy on the paper but I don't mind that as after an hour practice my hand doesn't ache whereas the last few days it has been. So yeah, what's the preference or recommendation for steepness of the nib? (For copperplate)

A while back I posted about a brush maker in Seoul, and honestly, I wasn't sure people outside Korea would care. The response was really kind. More than I expected.

I'd love to share a little more of his story.

He started learning the craft at 16 under a master. Now, white-haired, he is still making brushes. Each brush gets tested by hand multiple times - ink absorption, tension, performance - adjusted and reworked until it's right. Word spread quietly, and I heard that international visitors have started finding their way to his workshop too.

When I asked what he still wants after 60 years, he said he wants to grow his own bamboo grove and raise purebred Korean goats. Just to make even better brushes.

His workshop is full of brushes he's never sold, quietly setting them aside for a brush museum he dreams of opening one day. Fewer people practice calligraphy in Korea now, but he hasn't changed a thing. Traditional methods, traditional materials. That kind of dedication moved me deeply.

Spending time with someone who has reached that level of mastery, yet carries himself with such humility, it made me reflect on myself in the best way.

Finding out through this community that there are so many people who love calligraphy, I think the master would be so happy to know this kind of interest exists. And honestly, this has made me want to keep writing more stories about Korean brushes. I hope calligraphy continues to bring more people together across the world :):)

I remember reading a comment about Pilot Parallel pens and their ink. It was something like "the pens are great, but the ink is terrible." I'm interested in what options there are for ink. Do you refill an existing Pilot Pen cartridge? Or do you use something else? If you are refilling it, how is that done? Thanks so much for your help!

Hi all!

I have been trying to learn copperplate and I feel like my progress has stagnated.

I copied many of these words from a previous post (sorry I couldn’t find it again to credit whoever wrote it the first time!)

I am using HP 32 LB Premium paper, an oblique holder, Hunt 22B nib, and walnut ink. I am also using guidelines on a light box (you can tell towards the end where they slipped!)

Some issues I’ve been having:

1. Feathering using the HP 32 lb paper. I know it’s a common suggested paper but does anyone else struggle with it?

2. Rhythm in my writing. I feel like it looks obvious
   where I stop and start in some of my work.

3. Letter forms - particularly the oval. I feel like when I make the basic strokes one at a time they look good, but not when I make them letters.

4. Nibs - I like a Hunt 22B but I also thought maybe it’s too flexible. I tried Zebra G and Nikko G and I can get a good downstroke but couldn’t get the ink flowing on the upstroke. I did prep the nib knowing it had a protective coating from manufacturing.

5. Mechanics - how do you know when to write from your fingers, wrists, shoulder, etc? I’ve seen a lot of mixed opinions. How do you all sit? I am right handed.

Any tips are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

My partner has always wanted to get into calligraphy, and her birthday is coming up! I’d love recommendations on pens and what else I should include in a starter bundle for her.

From my research so far, it seems like the Pilot Parallel Pen is a top choice, but I’m not sure which nib size (or colors) to get for a beginner. Should I start with one specific size (like 2.4mm or 3.0mm) or get a multi-pack?

Also, what else is essential for a complete gift set? (e.g., best practice paper/pads, specific inks).

P.S. I’m completely new to this world, so any advice helps!

Hey, I’m trying to figure out what kind of paper this is.

It’s from a nikkah certificate. I haven’t actually felt it in person so just going off how it looks in photos.

It has a slight fabric/linen like texture but still looks pretty smooth overall. The paint and gold sit really clean on top, no bleeding or soaking in. The edges are clean too, not rough or handmade-looking.

Does anyone know what this might be called or what artists usually use for these kinds of calligraphy/illuminated certificates?

I was searching for the history of glass dip pens and came up with conflicting results. Some say it was invented in Murano in the 1500s, but I don't believe that as there is no record or artefacts of anything like that existing before the 1900s, and nothing before the 2000s that supports this idea. Yoseka Stationery makes that same claim but they say it happened in the 17th century, and several people say Yoseka pulled the story out of their ass.

Other people cite glass pens made in England in the mid 1800s, but those are an entirely different invention of metal pens with glass bodies in the same vein as Napoleonic crystal pens which aren't made of solid crystal but have ferrules attached to crystal glass sticks.

I am more inclined to believe the twisted glass dip pen was invented by a Japanese chime maker in 1902 which would line up with the timeline much better as that is when we see the twisted glass design enter popular use by Western manufacturers. Is there more information surrounding these that can be ascertained?

Any drill recommendations? What did everyone else do for their spacing? suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

I use this alphabet, but I'm making too many mistakes since it's difficult for me. I'm pretty bad at height placement and I don't know why I used this..?

Hello,

I have been doing pointed pen calligraphy for over 5 years now. I am self-taught through a lot of videos and tutorials. I used to use a blue pumpkin but have recently switched to a Nikko G. I now work as a writer for a letter writing company. I have a few questions pertaining to 2 contexts.

A. My current script 1. I want to know what I am doing wrong and how I can improve it. 2. I struggle with maintaining a steady baseline (I use a lightpad and a clear guideline sheet) 3. I struggle with the letter d a lot, especially on the downstroke. 4. I feel like my ovals are of varied sizes Any comments and tips and tricks to improve would be of help.

B. Writing long letters - the letters I get to write are usually between 3 to 6 A4 pages. 1. my nib feels scratchy after a page, what should I do? 2. how do I manage the layout of text on the page? (For now, I use a calligraphy font in Word to get an approximate and then use a PDF of that as reference while writing) 3. I don't write descendants until I have completed the next line so that I can manage flourishes. Is this how everyone is doing it or are there any other ways? 4. Any other tips for writing letters would be most appreciated.

I love doing calligraphy and do a decent amount of drills when I can. I want to hone my skill so any and all critique and comments are welcome ! :)

So I watched the Zodiac film and it's told there that when you learn handwriting, the movement (the way you write) will be burned in your brain, being only possible to change the "quality" your writing, but not its innermost essence.

So, what if I start writing the "G" from the inside out or write the "k" with 2 strokes instead of 3? Would this arouse some sort of bad habit which would greatly affect my subconscious work process?

I was recommended this kit as a beginner kit to start practicing (I am a fountain pen user but want to try my hand at calligraphy)
I don’t want to spend too much money on something I’m not sure if I’m going to commit to or not yet hence why this is my choice in kit but thoughts? Is this a decent kit to start with?
TIA!

Hello! I’m very new to reddit!! (and i think my first post got flagged for not putting a flair?) Anyway, I just wanna ask which script type would you think my style of writing fits more..? i’ve been doodling with pointed pens for about a year now and I want to seriously study it more and hopefully refine my work as well. Thank you so much!

Currently I am doing blackletter calligraphy using Pilot Parallel pens. I was tired of relying on ink cartridges, so I bought a set of C-series nibs from Speedball to use with the inks I use for copperplate. I think I cleaned them well, I used soap, hot water, a sponge, and finished with rubbing alcohol.

The ink appears to wet the nib evenly, but when I first press down on the paper (watercolor paper, which worked very well with my copperplate work), the ink flows out so fast that basically all of it is exhausted just on the first line that I make. I've tried with both Pelikan 4001 and Rorher & Klingner Salix, and the same thing happens to both.

What could be happening here?

Bear with me here, I know this is an unusual ask. I work for an in home pet euthanasia clinic. I write lots of sympathy cards and would like them to look nicer. I was thinking learning calligraphy would be nice, but due to the nature of the job I can’t really have dip nibs and ink pots. Is there a style of calligraphy that uses fountain pens and would look more professional?

Hi again!!

Don’t worry, I’m not gonna post EVERY day, only when I actually have questions ;)
Thanks again to everyone who left comments on my previous posts! I’ve been trying to implement as much of your advice as I can.

Changed the lighting, the grip, taking breaks, padded my pen grip, trying not to press down so hard, doing some exercises, … and of course chopped that t so it’s the proper height!

You can see my progress from day 2 (red) to day 4 (blue). And yes, I missed an i in the big word.

Thing is, my Pilot Parallel pen seems to bleed a lot on the paper (I’m using the 2.4mm) and the edges on the letters become soft or smudged.

But then, I also got that cheapo set (the mighty “simply… CALLIGRAPHY”) for around $20, came with 6 interchangeable nibs of various widths, 6 ink carts, and an ink extractor. Anyway, that thing glides on the paper much smoother, it’s like there’s less friction, and it bleeds less, so the edges are much sharper, and there’s less smudging.

The issue I have with it is that it feels very plasticky and cheap, not as pleasant to hold as the pilot (even though that’s also not a high end product either) - just feels like it’s gonna come apart in my hand. The other thing is that it came with these generic looking ink carts and I don’t know if I can get more - and I don’t wanna deal with refills and extraction.

So I guess the question would be, what’s there other than the pilot parallel that’s suitable for my level, but also feels solid in the hand, and is an overall well rounded experience? Maybe a set with interchangeable nibs? Doesn’t have to be cheap, just something that’s not too complicated to use… or am
I just doing something wrong with the pilot?