I started my modern calligraphy journey around September 2017, so I'm still a novice. My writing Practice is a little sporadic - which doesn't help - but I am starting to see improvements in the smoothness of my strokes - in the way the lines are formed and the pressure I exert on the nib.
I started off with a Nikko G nib because it was recommended. It's still a good starting point because it's quite stiff, so it will take a fair amount of pressure before the tines of the nib separate (which is frustrating, and could result in an ink blot). This nib writes with a narrow line (the cost of its rigidity, I guess), so the broad strokes are not as broad as they would be with a softer nib.
After a couple of months of dedicated practice I wanted to try something else, so I tried a Brause E66(yikes! Too soft for me) and a Brause 361 'Blue Pumpkin' because I liked the name and the colour, but again, too soft for me as a calligraphy newbie. Likewise for the Brause 76. I've tried a few other Nibs - all either too thin or too soft for me (yet), but it's all part of testing the boundaries and finding out what works right now.
I came across a small selection of William Mitchell nibs. A nice find for me, because they are a Midlands-based company here in the UK, and they have been making nibs and pen holders since 1825. So I picked up a couple of their 'Post Office' nibs to try out and was very pleasantly surprised. This nib suited me perfectly (as a left-handed, straight pen beginner). Again, it was a little on the narrow side, but I found I was able to produce some quite thick down strokes and my writing 'flowed' more easily.
I tried one of their oblique nibs too - just because it was there - and much cheaper than buying an oblique pen holder. It didn't help me, particularly, but wasn't a disaster. I think as a 'leftie' with a natural slant towards the right, I'm better off with a straight pen.
About two weeks ago I picked up a pack of five Leonardt nibs with a couple of penholders. Leonardt are another respected name in the dip pen world, but by this time I'd decided not to bother trying any more new nibs. I thought I'd just knuckle down to practising hard, perfecting my letter shapes and then look around for new toys to play with. But ... I can't resist a bargain, or craft supplies. Happy days! The Leonardt 33 (one of the five) is just perfect!
And the moral of this potted history? Keep on trying new things. Don't limit yourself - explore your options when you can (oh, and practice, practice, practice!)
I started off with a Nikko G nib because it was recommended. It's still a good starting point because it's quite stiff, so it will take a fair amount of pressure before the tines of the nib separate (which is frustrating, and could result in an ink blot). This nib writes with a narrow line (the cost of its rigidity, I guess), so the broad strokes are not as broad as they would be with a softer nib.
After a couple of months of dedicated practice I wanted to try something else, so I tried a Brause E66(yikes! Too soft for me) and a Brause 361 'Blue Pumpkin' because I liked the name and the colour, but again, too soft for me as a calligraphy newbie. Likewise for the Brause 76. I've tried a few other Nibs - all either too thin or too soft for me (yet), but it's all part of testing the boundaries and finding out what works right now.
I came across a small selection of William Mitchell nibs. A nice find for me, because they are a Midlands-based company here in the UK, and they have been making nibs and pen holders since 1825. So I picked up a couple of their 'Post Office' nibs to try out and was very pleasantly surprised. This nib suited me perfectly (as a left-handed, straight pen beginner). Again, it was a little on the narrow side, but I found I was able to produce some quite thick down strokes and my writing 'flowed' more easily.
I tried one of their oblique nibs too - just because it was there - and much cheaper than buying an oblique pen holder. It didn't help me, particularly, but wasn't a disaster. I think as a 'leftie' with a natural slant towards the right, I'm better off with a straight pen.
About two weeks ago I picked up a pack of five Leonardt nibs with a couple of penholders. Leonardt are another respected name in the dip pen world, but by this time I'd decided not to bother trying any more new nibs. I thought I'd just knuckle down to practising hard, perfecting my letter shapes and then look around for new toys to play with. But ... I can't resist a bargain, or craft supplies. Happy days! The Leonardt 33 (one of the five) is just perfect!
The down strokes are noticeably broader, and the up strokes are thin enough (for me, right now) and not too wobbly. I know the paper in both examples has cockled (it's 90 gsm tracing paper), but it's lovely and smooth to write on - no scratching or catching of the nib.
I hope the pen images show the difference in the nib design: the Mitchell Post Office (above) is closed - for stiffness. The Leonardt 33 is shaped and the sides cut out - for flexibility.
Leonardt are another Midlands brand.
D Leonardt & Co, started making steel pen nibs in Birmingham in 1865. The company expanded and diversified over the years, until the pen production side of the business was taken over by the Bridgnorth-based Manuscript Pen Company in 2006.
And the moral of this potted history? Keep on trying new things. Don't limit yourself - explore your options when you can (oh, and practice, practice, practice!)
