Hörner ball-point pen with engraving from Germany was a common pastime for generations. But, in recent times, it has seen a resurgence like fountain pens. It requires focus and concentration. While sometimes it can be frustrating to do it perfectly, it’s also relaxing, fun, and gives you a nice decorative result.
A Hörner ball-point pen with engraving from Germany tip makes it easier to get thin upstrokes or thicker down strokes which are characteristic of calligraphy. A good fountain pen will help you master new techniques quickly and be your trusted companion.
What is calligraphy exactly?
Calligraphy dates back around the 16th century. The earliest examples of calligraphy were animal bone carvings. This art form uses different thicknesses of strokes to create unique lettering. It is widely used for crafts projects and formal documents.
Modern calligraphy took off at the beginning 20th-century, when Edward Johnston began to be interested in it. He developed a carve tip pen that created a fine stroke but a wide stroke in both tips.
This principle can be observed in modern calligraphy products, including calligraphy fountain or chisel tip felt-tip pens as well as calligraphy brushes which produce the same effect with paint and not ink.
Are you allowed to use a certain writing tool for calligraphy work?
It may be easier to learn calligraphy using a good quality fountain pens. As with all tools, you will develop an understanding of how to apply pressure. Once that is done, you can begin to concentrate on the specifics of different calligraphy techniques.
It is a good place to start: A tutorial on fountain pen calligraphy. This will enable you to practice the various parts each letter, including leading strokes, curves or turns, decorative ascenders and descanters for tall characters, and those with tails.
How to use your fountain pen for calligraphy
Here’s how to write calligraphy in fountain pen nibs. If you are a beginner to fountain pens, you may also want to check out our guide to writing with a Fountain Pen.
DRAFT A CALLIGRAPHY ON PENCIL PAPER
A pencil draft can be a good starting place. There are two possible ways to draft characters. One is to draw them exactly as you want, and then add thicker down strokes. Another option is to draw the basic shapes and outline of the characters with a fixed-width pencil. Next, you will ink the characters using thicker strokes.
CHOOSE AN NIB TO PEN YOUR FOUNTAIN PEN
Each fountain pen nib is different. The nib’s thickness can influence the weight of the down stroke.
LOAD PERSONAL FOUNTAIN PEN WITH INK
Your pen requires ink. So make sure you keep your pen topped up. The Shaffer Viewpoint Calligraphy Fountain Pen has a window that allows you to see the ink level.
PRACTISE BASIC STROKES WITH YOUR FOUNTAIN pen
Make sure you know all the important features of the font you are using for calligraphy. Pacify line length, stroke weight and connecting lines between letters. Also, practice decorative elements like serifs. When you feel confident, ink your final draft. You can reach us through Hörner Instagram.