Category: calligraphy

Tools that I use for calligraphy

 

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The tools that I use range from various materials. The picture above is of my exact tools. Of course I have more but I wanted to show you want I actually use day to day. The tools that I use may not work for your approach and or type of calligraphy.

For the calligraphy pad I use is a Strathmore calligraphy pad. The paper is woven and 20lb weight and 8.5×11. Before I was using computer paper. I will admit I improved a lot from using computer paper and etc. So starting out I would not recommend starting out with this pad right from the beginning. But really it depends on whether you want to spend the money or not. The reason I say that because you don’t want to buy something of high quality when you do not have a good grasp on how to use the tools.

The pens I use are pilot parallel pens. Sizes of my parallel pens are 6.0 and 3.8 mm. Parallel pens are some of the best calligraphy pens I have used. The only thing is the fibers that get caught in the nib of the pen. Cleaning them is very very simple.

Of course microns where would we be without them. I purchased the various colors to have a variety. A great thing is how the pens do not bleed. Also they do not interfere with the pilot ink.

Prismacolor color pencils are great for experimentation. These are good for taking a trip back to childhood. One thing I enjoy about using these are the possibilities.

Pilot 78g is the first fountain pen that I ever bought that was of good quality. The pen is of great quality and also the ink flows very smoothly. If you decide to purchase this make sure to get some extra cartridges.

The Staedtler lead holder and sharpener are two things that you should get together. Because sharpening the lead on the lead holder with the built in sharpener (the metal top) is pretty terrible if you want to get a good sharp point. Another thing is the lead dust that collects in the top.

Speedball calligraphy marker is an ok calligraphy marker. The nib is felt and it gets worn down pretty quickly. If you want to have a calligraphy marker that is cheap and good for practice I would recommend giving this a try.

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Tombow markers are hands down some of my favorite brush pens. The quality of these are very good. But the nibs get worn down after a good amount of use. The brush tip to be exact is what gets worn down quickly. Storing these I keep them in the container you see here. Because before I stored them with one point down and it dried up.

Some more things I enjoy about Tombows is how the ink flows so smoothly. Also getting used to them just requires getting comfortable with it in your hand and then developing your own flow to your letters. By flow I mean size, shapes and etc.

Well there you have it I hope this will help you in getting started with your calligraphy journey and or what you should add to your current tools.

Keep testing your limits

You should definitely not be afraid to test your limits. By pushing yourself beyond what you normally would do is not a bad thing. For example just think of it along the lines of a rubber band. The rubber band is attached together.

Then after you keep stretching it, eventually it breaks. After the rubber band breaks you can stretch it even further. Your life is exactly the same way. Also your skills and everything else you do. Because you want to keep moving forward, learning new skills and sharpening your current skills.

Ways to go about testing your limits are to not be afraid of new situations. When you are in new situations do not run from them (well if its a life or death situation then run) and learn what you can from the experience. Because doing so will allow you to grow to the person you should be.

After you’ve experienced new situations is time to start doing what you know you should be doing. I know I probably have talked about this before. But I over time you will learn that it is so easy to just let things slip by. When you know that you should be updating your portfolio site more often or when you know you should be marketing your website more often. But instead you just keep letting it slip by.

Testing your limits is really for someone who knows that they are capable of doing more then just what is required. Also someone who wants to see how far they can go. By seeing how far someone can go they will eventually surpass others who just do what is required to get by.

 

Failing Publicly and learning from it

Well I want to be honest with you that  I completely failed with my etsy store. The idea that I had for my store was not good as I expected it to be. Of course I did the a good amount of promoting. But the thing was not having control.

Another thing was for example you all would visit here and then have to leave and go visit another site. In regards to not having control was more so that I could have my store closed for no reason. The plans are to regroup and come up with another game plan.

Possibly redesigning my site overall.  I have been wanting to revamp to a more professional looking site and something that is more navigable. I also want to say thank you all for following along with me and all of your support.

Because I have at the bottom of store/freebies section of this site more wallpapers will be updated soon. But I failed to do so. I am sorry for not updating more often. As I stated earlier I am going to regroup and relaunch my calligraphy work the correct way.

 

 

Why I decided to Launch an Etsy Store

 

The reason is simply because I felt that I want to let other people enjoy my calligraphy work. Therefore I felt let me just give it a try with my work and see how it will go. Also with pricing I felt the pricing of the work matched the quality. In all honesty I wanted to let others enjoy my work as much as I did making it.

The first concept of posters is selling a 8.5 x 11 on french duro-tone butcher extra white 80# paper. The price of the posters are $15 dollars with 5 dollar shipping worldwide to anywhere.

And one more thing is as a freebie I give away a free wallpaper for your cellphone. I am still adding more posters daily so go check out my Etsy shop and pick up some work for yourself.

How to get started Learning calligraphy Pt 2

So you’ve determined what type of calligraphy you want to do and how much you want to spend. Also you’ve done the research that is required for learning calligraphy.

The materials that I started learning calligraphy with was a calligraphy kit. At first I was a little distraught as in this is it. Well I will admit after I realized this kit gives you the basics. Inside you have gouache, 3 fountain pen inks, fountain pen, and a brush and a practice pad and heavy duty paper for drawing calligraphy on. For example there’s cards,wine bottle tags and etc.

Then after I finished the first calligraphy set I then ventured to a higher quality fountain pen. The pen that I bought was the pilot 78g. The nib is a bit sharp and not as wide as others.  Which means you can use it for regular writing as well. I continued to practice and learn with this pen.

Then my next purchase was a cheap calligraphy marker made by a Speedball. The thing about calligraphy markers is that the crispness of the nib wears down afterwhile. I had also purchased another calligraphy kit for very cheap. The real reason I purchased it was because of the book with different fonts. One font that I really wanted to learn was Gothic.

Do not be discouraged by want to be a great calligrapher starting out. The reason is because you will not be. Remember it takes time.

How to get started Learning Calligraphy part 1

 

When I first learned about calligraphy I had no idea how to get started. The same thing can be said for many other hobbies/professions. Because we see the work of others and have no idea where to start. Well I’m going to tell you how in a series of posts.

First you want to determine what type of calligraphy you want to do. Meaning did you want to do. Meaning did you want to just learn calligraphy for the heck of it. You may be how I was at first I was amazed at flourishes. But lets stay on topic here.

Of course gathering materials is key with this. Because when you first start out you may want to go and buy the most expensive calligraphy set you can and by the best paper and pens you can afford. Well that’s not what you want to do. You may ask why not? I want to use the best material possible.

The reason I say not to is because for one you don’t have a lot of experience. Then second you may say screw this I don’t want to keep practicing calligraphy. Third you may end up quitting all together.

A recap of getting started with calligraphy

  1. Determine why you want to do calligraphy.
  2. Do your research about the history (watch a few documentaries and read articles)
  3. Do not spend a lot of money starting out

 

Stay tuned for part 2 of getting started with calligraphy tomorrow.