CALLIGRAPHY
Writing calligraphy is very different from our everyday penmanship where letters are strung quickly together to form words. Instead, calligraphy is a series of thin and thick lines built up in strokes so that each letter is in itself a picture, or piece of artwork. The best way to start learning calligraphy is with all the necessary equipment close at hand, in an area for practicing your writing. The next stage is to study and understand historical letter shapes by studying the artwork of some calligraphy alphabets.

TOOLS & MATERIALS
There’s a variety of writing utensils available for calligraphy. One is the fountain pen, in which the ink is sucked up through the nib into a reservoir. This style of pen is ideal as a self-contained, sturdy and portable drawing tool. Fountain pens often have interchangeable nibs to vary line thickness. Dip pens consist of a plastic or wood holder also with a variety of nibs and can be used with watercolor, gouache and acrylics. With all pens, nibs require frequent cleaning and the finer nibs should be replaced as soon as they show signs of splitting or losing sensitivity. Left-handers require an oblique nib. Calligraphy markers are also available and are easy for the beginner to learn and practice with because there’s less of an ink mess.

Many paper types can be used with calligraphy – preferably, look for a type that will not let the ink bleed. When writing, the position of the paper is the most important factor. It is best if placed on a working surface that’s tilted at a 45° angle so there’s a clear view of the working area and the ink is allowed to flow more easily onto the paper’s surface.

Keeping Your Work Clean
Make sure the surface you are writing on is clean and free from grease. Try to have a piece of paper under your hand at all times, however clean your hands are, as grease or sweat may rub off onto the paper and make it almost impossible to write on.