Calligraphy - Hints and tips, anyone?

[CrazyCatGuy]

I've been doing calligraphy on and off since sophomore year in college, when my roommate got me hooked on to it. I used to use one of those calligraphy pens that took the ink cartriges (they are made of clear green or red plastic), but i broke mine, and i havent really done any calligraphy since. But yesterday, i bought a Speedball calligraphy set (the black plastic pen with 6 nibs), and ink to go along with it. It seems a bit different from what i remembered about writing with that cartrige pen... one being that i have to dip for ink every few words/line, and two, more annoying than that, i'm finding that my fingers are hurting like crazy after i finished writing a letter to my SO. So i think i'm probably gripping the pen to tight?

For people with more experience with calligraphy, got any tips for a newbie?

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

I've been doing calligraphy on and off since sophomore year in college, when my roommate got me hooked on to it. I used to use one of those calligraphy pens that took the ink cartriges (they are made of clear green or red plastic), but i broke mine, and i havent really done any calligraphy since. But yesterday, i bought a Speedball calligraphy set (the black plastic pen with 6 nibs), and ink to go along with it. It seems a bit different from what i remembered about writing with that cartrige pen... one being that i have to dip for ink every few words/line, and two, more annoying than that, i'm finding that my fingers are hurting like crazy after i finished writing a letter to my SO. So i think i'm probably gripping the pen to tight?

For people with more experience with calligraphy, got any tips for a newbie?

1) You're gripping the pen too tight.

2) You may have fat fingers, or the thickness of the pen may be too small for your hands.

3) Speedball pens are not the best in the world. By a long shot. In fact, they're kind of low end. If you're planning on doing a lot of calligraphy (I'm in the process of rewriting the epic of Cuchullain and the Cattle Raid - figure about a thousand pages both front and back by finishing) you really might want to consider upgrading.

4) Wooden, glass, or bamboo pens are much more comfortable on your hands. Wood and banboo because they're softer, glass because it's usually blown to fit the shape of your fingers better.

Will that do for a start?

 

[Weird Harold]

...more annoying than that, i'm finding that my fingers are hurting like crazy after i finished writing a letter to my SO. So i think i'm probably gripping the pen to tight?

I'm not a clligrapher, but the tired fingers problem isn't unique to calligrpahers -- look in a stationary supply store for a triangular rubber "pencil grip" that slips over a pen or pencil to make it more ergonomic and give you a better grip. There are other types of slip-on pencil grips, but the triangular version is the one that is probably easiest to find.

Actually it's not. this one is:

http://www.toyscamp.com/catalog/PG11401.jpg

PS: as found at: http://www.toyscamp.com/viewproduct.asp?productId=PG11401

 

[SensualCealy]

After every few words set the pen down and stretch your fingers out.

I find when I'm doing calligraphy my hand cramps up too. Keep your paper on an angle and make sure your elboe rests on the table.

The pen you described that was like the one you got in college is like mine, if you check an office supply store, ours is called Staples, they have the sets still. Thats where I get my cartridges still. Hint, make sure you get a bottle of cheap alcohol (rubbing) from the Dollar store and clean the nibs out, if you dont they will dry up with the ink on them and not flow properly the next time you go to use it.

They also have triangle shaped finger rests like the other one shown on the thread, not as thick as that one but made of a silicone type plastic that cushions your fingers.

Make sure you post some of your work so we can see it!
C

 

[CrazyCatGuy]

1) You're gripping the pen too tight.

2) You may have fat fingers, or the thickness of the pen may be too small for your hands.

3) Speedball pens are not the best in the world. By a long shot. In fact, they're kind of low end. If you're planning on doing a lot of calligraphy (I'm in the process of rewriting the epic of Cuchullain and the Cattle Raid - figure about a thousand pages both front and back by finishing) you really might want to consider upgrading.

4) Wooden, glass, or bamboo pens are much more comfortable on your hands. Wood and banboo because they're softer, glass because it's usually blown to fit the shape of your fingers better.

Will that do for a start?

Indeed! thanks I figured i was just probably gripping it too tight, though i'm sure a softer grip would've helped lots.
I haven't found any wood/bamboo/glass pens yet though. I'll try going back to the art store and looking again.

...
Hint, make sure you get a bottle of cheap alcohol (rubbing) from the Dollar store and clean the nibs out, if you dont they will dry up with the ink on them and not flow properly the next time you go to use it.

...

Make sure you post some of your work so we can see it!
C

Ooo! so thats what you use... i tried washing it with water, and it sorta kinda worked, but good to know!

 

[TxRad]

I don't do Calligraphy but for over twenty years i did hand drafting on geological logs. The rubber grips work wonders as do larger pen diameters if you have big fingers.

If you use solvents to clean the tips be careful with the plastic parts. They either get eaten up or age quickly and crack.

On a personal note. Never offer to letter Jackets for shots of tequila. That's how I got my nickname of Rad. The young lady in question was lettering club jackets and left the n out of my name. I had her leave the y off for obvious reasons.

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

Indeed! thanks I figured i was just probably gripping it too tight, though i'm sure a softer grip would've helped lots.
I haven't found any wood/bamboo/glass pens yet though. I'll try going back to the art store and looking again.



Ooo! so thats what you use... i tried washing it with water, and it sorta kinda worked, but good to know!

You might try online instead of at the art store. What's available at most art supply stores is very limited.

Also, if you just prefer the feel of writing with a dip pen and the classic calligraphy 'look' with the thick and thin lines isn't too important, you may want to try using a pen with a glass nib. They take a touch of getting used to, but are wonderful once you get the hang of it.

 

[SensualCealy]

Something that came to mind last night, some stores where they carry writing materials sometimes carry felt tipped calligraphy pens. I had 4, red, black, green and blue, they were double tipped. One end was the wide flat, the other end was a narrow flat. Worked great for many projects before they dried up. Im sure someone on-line would carry them, try Michaels or Jo-anns or an office supply place.

Good luck,
C

 

[CrazyCatGuy]

I took the advice that some people offered and got a pencil grip thingy, and it's working wonders! The art supply store didn't have another type of calligraphy pen though, so i'm stuck with this one...

While writing, i've came across two more problems. One is that the nib seems to be tearing up the paper somewhat... it's not noticiable until i write about half a page, but i can see little strands of paper fiber on the tip, and i have to wipe it off or else it'll start messing up the text. Is it because i'm pressing too hard still, or does the paper suck, or is it just kinda natural, and i'll just have to deal with it?

The second problem is that my wrist starts to hurt after writing for a while... i'm not quite sure what i'm doing to cause that though.

Anyways. Here are some samples! Its the Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey. It's one of my girlfriend's favorite poem/thingys.

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

I took the advice that some people offered and got a pencil grip thingy, and it's working wonders! The art supply store didn't have another type of calligraphy pen though, so i'm stuck with this one...

While writing, i've came across two more problems. One is that the nib seems to be tearing up the paper somewhat... it's not noticiable until i write about half a page, but i can see little strands of paper fiber on the tip, and i have to wipe it off or else it'll start messing up the text. Is it because i'm pressing too hard still, or does the paper suck, or is it just kinda natural, and i'll just have to deal with it?

The second problem is that my wrist starts to hurt after writing for a while... i'm not quite sure what i'm doing to cause that though.

Anyways. Here are some samples! Its the Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey. It's one of my girlfriend's favorite poem/thingys.

That's just natural. What happens is the ink soaks into the fibers of the paper, weakening it, and some stick in the pen nib. Just wipe it off and move on.

Second problem: Do you use a wrist support of any type? It might help. Also, if you're not used to writing things longhand, you will have to build up the muscles in your wrist (yes, there are muscles in the wrist), forearm, and hand you use to write. It will take a couple of weeks or so and there might be quite a bit of stiffness in those parts until then.

 

[Weird Harold]

You have a typo, I think on page one -- Desmond was "Thown" from a sleigh.

Your wrist pain could just be a transitory "growing pain" as you excercise muscles and tendons you don't normal use.

However, your finger pain, wrist pain and shreds of paper on the nib suggest that you are just "trying too hard" -- relax! The only calligrapher I've watched work, was very smooth and fluid and had a very light touch. She seemed almost casual about it, carrying on a conversation while she worked (faster than I can print block letters legibly.)

She had a lot of experience, but I think that casual, second-nature, kind of calligraphy is what should be strived for; doing Calligraphy shouldn't be much more effort than writing something long-hand with a fountain pen.

 

[CrazyCatGuy]

Hmm, alright. I actually wasn't aware of the muscles in the wrists, but that makes sense, heh. I try to not press down too hard, but unless i'm thinking about it, i just kind of drift back to pressing down again. More practice, i guess

Yeah, and i noticed the typos... don't think i can fix them tho... See? this is why life needs an undo button I also spelled Ernest wrong

Anyways... more to come later

 

[Weird Harold]

Hmm, alright. I actually wasn't aware of the muscles in the wrists, but that makes sense, heh.

You might want to google "Writer's Cramp" for specific remedies.

Even medieval monks never completely built up a total immunity to wrtier's cramp during long sessions of calligraphy although building up your endurance is going to be part of the solution.

 

[CrazyCatGuy]

You might want to google "Writer's Cramp" for specific remedies.

Even medieval monks never completely built up a total immunity to wrtier's cramp during long sessions of calligraphy although building up your endurance is going to be part of the solution.

Interesting! Thanks for the answer... but now, i'm off to sleep more fun with calligraphy tomorow morning, i think...

 

[CrazyCatGuy]

Yay more stuff written! less spelling mistakes this time at least... i think... >_>

This time my wrist didn't hurt quite as much, though the tip of my thumb did, but that might just be bacause i have REALLY REALLY short nails. I'll try growing them out a bit and see if that helps.

Anyways! This time, it's the lyrics to the song Still Alive, by Jonathan Coulton. It's the ending credits song for the computer game Portal released by Valve. The game, and the song, are both AWESOME, and everyone should try it