Basic Calligraphy Supplies for the Beginner
Calligraphy is a very satisfying skill to learn - and the nice thing about it is that it can be a very inexpensive craft to learn. All one would really need to start is:
- a calligraphy felt marker
- some basic bond or copy paper
- a pencil
- a ruler
- and an eraser.
- Oh yes, you might need a book or course to learn from.
Most stationery stores carry calligraphy felt markers these days. And most people have paper, pencils, rulers and erasers hanging around the house.
And the course? You can get a start with our free Basic Italic course right here on this website.
If you would like more details, or slightly more in the way of supplies, here's what I would recommend getting:
- for the pen - the Staedtler Calligraph duo 3002. It comes with a 3.5mm tip on one end and a 2.0mm tip on the other. The felt tips keep their shape well with use, and the ink in my pens has certainly lasted a long time. And it comes in a variety of colors. So I consider them a good buy. I also like them because the larger tip is a good size to start learning with to get the feeling of how to keep the flat edge flat to the paper. It's also easier to see the shapes when you are first starting. The only drawback is that the ink is not waterproof, so I don't use them for good pieces. But they do perfectly fine for learning and playing with ideas.
- Another good felt pen for starting is the ZIG Calligraphy pen - the one that comes with a 5.0 mm tip on one end and a 2.0 mm tip on the other. These are acid-free, archival quality, waterproof, fade-proof, and lightfast. You will often find these pens in scrapbooking supply stores.
- for the paper - get sheets of 11" x 17" bond paper. Use them in the landscape position to give you longer lines to write on.
- for pencils - get an artist's pencil in a higher H number as it will have a harder lead. It will keep a sharper point longer, and the lines will not smudge as easily as those drawn with regular HB pencils.
- for a ruler - a metal ruler with a cork underside comes in handy. The cork keeps the ruler edge off the paper just enough that if you ever draw along its edge with ink, the ink won't bleed under the edge.
- and for erasers - definitely get a white gum eraser. It won't leave colored smudges on the paper.
- for more courses, check our Calligraphy Lessons section for other and more advanced courses. Or check to see if you have a local calligraphy group that gives lessons, or perhaps an adult education program that offers calligraphy lessons.
If you want to go beyond that, here's the next batch of supplies to consider:
- several stick or pen holders
- a set of Speedball C nibs from size 0-6
- ink - for learning, get a free-flowing one such as the Pellikan 4001. Don't use India inks when starting out. They contain shellac and that tends to gum up the nibs. So until you are more used to working with ink, I'd recommend staying away from the India inks.
For these or other supplies, you can check our Pens & Supplies page for links to more information and details.
Now, how do you prepare to do calligraphy? Next, all about Setting Up.
|
