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I have penned my thoughts and findings about what goes into making the tools and supplies for calligraphy and how world-renowned calligraphers, penmen and penwomen create their finished pieces.

Skill

Let’s consider copperplate calligraphy for the sake of our discussion. Copperplate calligraphy is one of the many commonly used pointed pen techniques around the world. The nib required for this technique is called a pointed pen nib, which has a pointy end with 2 tines. These times can open when pressure is applied. The ink is either restricted to the extent of a point or allowed to flow through the gap created between the tines. This creates the thick and thin strokes. This is unique to this style of writing and cannot be created with a regular fountain pen. This is the foundation of developing pointed pen calligraphy as a skill. This skill is developed through careful practice over a period of time. Hence, the skill and the knowledge that comes from experience is the first contribution to the output.

If you wish to learn this beautiful script, Shop now for the Copperplate Calligraphy Manuals.

Time

Calligraphers are often considered designers who design letters. This process of designing letters by means of thick and thin strokes is a carefully curated process which takes a lot of time and patience. The calligraphy design thus created is a factor of the manhours or woman-hours that goes into making the output.

Tools

The basic tool triad required for pointed pen calligraphy includes a nib, some ink and a piece of paper. This sounds simple right! But what meets the eye can be deceptive. Although, we are attuned to writing with a pen for centuries, the same pen cannot create calligraphy (not the traditional one per se). The type of nib, nature of the ink and the kind of paper required for calligraphy is different from our regular stationery supplies. Makers of these tools around the world carefully hand-craft these items to suit the application. For example, paper is made from cotton fibres that are milled in a specific setting, layered to achieve the desired thickness (measured in gsm) and processed for textural differences.

If you wish to learn more about the different tools and supplies available for pointed pen calligraphy, Shop now for the Tools manual.

Process

An artist or a calligrapher offers more than just the finished piece that reaches your abode. They offer their thought, creativity, planning and design aesthetics apart from skill and time.

These factors result in a custom-made piece that is exclusive to you and can rarely be replicated.

So, the next time you look at a calligraphy-based design or an artwork, I hope the above information will loom large in your head.