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Calligraphy.
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The Art Of Calligraphy - Getting Started
The essentials for any calligrapher are a writing surface, a writing implement, a writing fluid and something to write. The basic equipment is easy to obtain and inexpensive. An essential shopping list includes pen holders, round hand nibs and reservoirs, nonwaterproof ink, paper, a drawing board, pencils, eraser and ruler.
PENS: A dip pen which you assemble yourself is a simple, unrefined instrument compared with the sophisticated modern fountain pen, but that is its strength. A dip pen is harder to manage at first, but when you’ve tried it, you will find it much more versatile and flexible than the other. However, marker type pens are widely available now, if you are reluctant to get involved with the actual ink and nibs yourself.
HOLDERS: To begin, you will need pen holders, a range of round hand nibs and reservoirs. Pen holders are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Choose the one that feels comfortable in your hand.
NIBS: Nibs are easily obtainable. Make sure that they are square cut, but if you are left-handed, you may find left oblique-cut nibs easier to use.
RESERVOIRS: You will need a number of reservoirs. These clip to the underside of the nibs, creating a
space in which to hold the ink. Some nibs come with an integrated reservoir.
INK: Bottled non-waterproof Indian ink is the easiest and most convenient ink to buy and use. Avoid waterproof ink as it will clog your nib quite quickly, holding back the ink flow. It also makes the nibs difficult to clean. Commercial calligraphy inks vary in quality from manufacturer to manufacturer so vary your ink until you are happy yourself.
PAPER : Layout paper is thin, has been treated with size so that your letters do not spread when you write on it, is inexpensive and readily available. An A4 or A3 pad is advisable. Again, a wide variety is available, so try a range of different papers and find the ones which suit your style best.
DRAWING BOARD: A drawing board provides a firm, angled surface on which to write. Your board should
be A2, rigid and not warped, heavy enough to be stable but light enough to be balanced on your knees comfortably and rested against the edge of a table. Easels are widely available which include an incline control.
PENCILS: You will need several medium hardness pencils, such as HB, H or B. Pencils should be
long enough to balance in your hand and be well sharpened.
ERASER: Choose a good quality eraser which feels soft, and keep it clean.
RULER: Your ruler should be long enough to be useful - at least 45cm/18in. You might find it worth investing in a metal ruler or a plastic one with a metal edge against which it is safer to cut.
Of course, it is important to care for your tools and materials in order to help ensure long lasting results from your investments. Always wash nibs and reservoirs carefully when you finish writing for the day. An old toothbrush is invaluable here. Dry nibs and reservoirs thoroughly on kitchen paper to avoid them rusting.
Keep pencils sharp and throw them away when they have been pared away into stumps. Nibs do not last forever - if one is damaged or strained, throw it away.
Calligraphy styles
Calligraphy - the art of beautiful writing - is rooted in history and the faithful reproduction of long established forms provides a fascinating and absorbing hobby to a huge number of people. Over 5000 years ago the Sumerians, in what is now Iraq, developed writing as wedge shaped, cuneiform letters by pressing the ends of cut reeds into clay. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans also wrote with reed stalks. Later, feathers were used for making writing instruments.
There were many attempts to make a more durable, hardwearing pen than the quill, and James Perry is attributed with the adoption of flexible steel nibs for writing. There are a variety of styles dating from various centuries in history, all uniquely different, with varying degrees of decoration and difficulty.
FOUNDATIONAL HAND - This is based on the writing of the Ramsey Psalter, MS Harley 2904, now in the British Library in London. Edward Johnston devised the original Foundational hand using the Ramsey Psalter as his model. It is called Foundational because if it is practised and mastered first, scribes believe that most other styles will be achieved more easily. The small letters or minuscules are also known as English Carolingian.
ITALIC HAND - The Chancery hand, used by scribes in the Papal business offices during the 16th century,
became the basis for a wide variety of beautiful Italic written forms and type faces. A scholar from France, Niccolo de Niccoli developed a fast joined style by linking the Carolingian minuscules. The hand was useful because it was clear and legible and it could be written quickly, helping to accommodate the increasingly heavy flow of administrative documents. It is distinguished by the slight slope to the right and by the
compressed nature of the letters It is very popular and is suitable for a wide variety of work, e.g. posters, book covers, invitation cards and menus.
GOTHIC or BLACK LETTER - This hand has a dignified more formal appearance, and has a rather grand sense. It was used by the Victorians and Edwardians to give importance to memorials, many church
notices and legal documents. This air of authority still remains today in its use by certain newspapers for their title heading. It is referred to as Black Letter because the letters are close together. This was a result of the inflation and the increase in the price of vellum in the 12th century, which meant that scribes had to fit more words on a page. This creates a strong visual texture. The aim of this style is more to be decorative than legible.
UNCIAL LETTERS - Uncial writing was in use as a book hand from the third century and the script was
developing and becoming widely used at the same time as the page in a book structure was beginning to take over from the scroll. The look of the letters is of solid, round forms, and the letters have a strength because they are mad with direct pen strokes using a comfortable pen angle. Uncials are characteristic of much early Christian writing.
COPPERPLATE - Originally engraved on copper plates for intaglio printing, the forms became so popular
that pointed quills and later flexible nibs were invented to allow the use of pressure in writing to simulate the swelling thick thin line, which became so characteristic of 19th century handwriting.
The essentials for any calligrapher are a writing surface, a writing implement, a writing fluid and something to write. The basic equipment is easy to obtain and inexpensive. An essential shopping list includes pen holders, round hand nibs and reservoirs, nonwaterproof ink, paper, a drawing board, pencils, eraser and ruler.
PENS: A dip pen which you assemble yourself is a simple, unrefined instrument compared with the sophisticated modern fountain pen, but that is its strength. A dip pen is harder to manage at first, but when you’ve tried it, you will find it much more versatile and flexible than the other. However, marker type pens are widely available now, if you are reluctant to get involved with the actual ink and nibs yourself.
HOLDERS: To begin, you will need pen holders, a range of round hand nibs and reservoirs. Pen holders are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Choose the one that feels comfortable in your hand.
NIBS: Nibs are easily obtainable. Make sure that they are square cut, but if you are left-handed, you may find left oblique-cut nibs easier to use.
RESERVOIRS: You will need a number of reservoirs. These clip to the underside of the nibs, creating a
space in which to hold the ink. Some nibs come with an integrated reservoir.
INK: Bottled non-waterproof Indian ink is the easiest and most convenient ink to buy and use. Avoid waterproof ink as it will clog your nib quite quickly, holding back the ink flow. It also makes the nibs difficult to clean. Commercial calligraphy inks vary in quality from manufacturer to manufacturer so vary your ink until you are happy yourself.
PAPER : Layout paper is thin, has been treated with size so that your letters do not spread when you write on it, is inexpensive and readily available. An A4 or A3 pad is advisable. Again, a wide variety is available, so try a range of different papers and find the ones which suit your style best.
DRAWING BOARD: A drawing board provides a firm, angled surface on which to write. Your board should
be A2, rigid and not warped, heavy enough to be stable but light enough to be balanced on your knees comfortably and rested against the edge of a table. Easels are widely available which include an incline control.
PENCILS: You will need several medium hardness pencils, such as HB, H or B. Pencils should be
long enough to balance in your hand and be well sharpened.
ERASER: Choose a good quality eraser which feels soft, and keep it clean.
RULER: Your ruler should be long enough to be useful - at least 45cm/18in. You might find it worth investing in a metal ruler or a plastic one with a metal edge against which it is safer to cut.
Of course, it is important to care for your tools and materials in order to help ensure long lasting results from your investments. Always wash nibs and reservoirs carefully when you finish writing for the day. An old toothbrush is invaluable here. Dry nibs and reservoirs thoroughly on kitchen paper to avoid them rusting.
Keep pencils sharp and throw them away when they have been pared away into stumps. Nibs do not last forever - if one is damaged or strained, throw it away.
Calligraphy styles
Calligraphy - the art of beautiful writing - is rooted in history and the faithful reproduction of long established forms provides a fascinating and absorbing hobby to a huge number of people. Over 5000 years ago the Sumerians, in what is now Iraq, developed writing as wedge shaped, cuneiform letters by pressing the ends of cut reeds into clay. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans also wrote with reed stalks. Later, feathers were used for making writing instruments.
There were many attempts to make a more durable, hardwearing pen than the quill, and James Perry is attributed with the adoption of flexible steel nibs for writing. There are a variety of styles dating from various centuries in history, all uniquely different, with varying degrees of decoration and difficulty.
FOUNDATIONAL HAND - This is based on the writing of the Ramsey Psalter, MS Harley 2904, now in the British Library in London. Edward Johnston devised the original Foundational hand using the Ramsey Psalter as his model. It is called Foundational because if it is practised and mastered first, scribes believe that most other styles will be achieved more easily. The small letters or minuscules are also known as English Carolingian.
ITALIC HAND - The Chancery hand, used by scribes in the Papal business offices during the 16th century,
became the basis for a wide variety of beautiful Italic written forms and type faces. A scholar from France, Niccolo de Niccoli developed a fast joined style by linking the Carolingian minuscules. The hand was useful because it was clear and legible and it could be written quickly, helping to accommodate the increasingly heavy flow of administrative documents. It is distinguished by the slight slope to the right and by the
compressed nature of the letters It is very popular and is suitable for a wide variety of work, e.g. posters, book covers, invitation cards and menus.
GOTHIC or BLACK LETTER - This hand has a dignified more formal appearance, and has a rather grand sense. It was used by the Victorians and Edwardians to give importance to memorials, many church
notices and legal documents. This air of authority still remains today in its use by certain newspapers for their title heading. It is referred to as Black Letter because the letters are close together. This was a result of the inflation and the increase in the price of vellum in the 12th century, which meant that scribes had to fit more words on a page. This creates a strong visual texture. The aim of this style is more to be decorative than legible.
UNCIAL LETTERS - Uncial writing was in use as a book hand from the third century and the script was
developing and becoming widely used at the same time as the page in a book structure was beginning to take over from the scroll. The look of the letters is of solid, round forms, and the letters have a strength because they are mad with direct pen strokes using a comfortable pen angle. Uncials are characteristic of much early Christian writing.
COPPERPLATE - Originally engraved on copper plates for intaglio printing, the forms became so popular
that pointed quills and later flexible nibs were invented to allow the use of pressure in writing to simulate the swelling thick thin line, which became so characteristic of 19th century handwriting.
.