Beginning Calligraphy?

[Pens&Lit]

Can anyone recommend to me a good way to start in calligraphy? I find Spencerian to be very interesting, but is this considered a more advanced calligraphic hand than others? Should I start with a different hand and work my way up? Also, of course depending on the hand, what supplies are a must for a beginner? Thanks in advance!

[GourmetPens]

I'd consider myself very amateur still, but I got started by acquiring some Pilot Parallel calligraphy pens. They are easy to clean and are fairly inexpensive, and they come with a little pamphlet that has a very simple and straightforward guide to learn Roman, Italic, and Gothic. (I reviewed them here and there's a picture of the pamphlet too if you would like to see it!) I ended up getting the 6.0mm and it turns out that's my favorite one - I use it the most! For me, as an amateur, it's easiest to learn the shapes/formations of the letters with the giant nib. I just use regular fountain pen ink in them as well as Pilot Parallel ink cartridges (they come in a lot of pretty colors).

I also have a few dip nibs because I like to play around with flex writing and acrylic inks My favorite is the Brause blue pumpkin nib in a Tachikawa holder. I also use fountain pen inks for this but the thicker acrylic inks are a little easier for me to get the hang of!

[jbb]

The better the pen, the better the handwriting. That said, either a calligraphy fountain pen, like the Sheaffer No Nonsense or a dip pen with flex nibs, would be a pretty cheap date. Once you get a pen you like the rest is just lots of sitting around and practicing.

I have this dip pen & nibs for sale on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1500343...rook-and-other

[plistumi]

I'd say pick a hand (the one that you like), get some books and practice. I started with Copperplate and then Spencerian because that is what I liked. I have ended up writing more in Spencerian. Spencerian and Copperplate require dip nibs. I use Gillott 404, 303 or Hunt 202 and Braus Rose nibs. The nib holder is oblique. I am left and find a straight holder comfortable enough.

Books: Learning to Write Spencerian Script by Michael Sull for Spencerian style
Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy by Eleanor Winters is pretty good for Copperplate
Other good copperplate books are Copperplate Calligraphy by Dick Jackson

The most important thing to do is practice, practice, practice. It can be tedious, so use the style for everything. i.e. laundry notes, post it notes, letters to your friends and family. Don't expect anybody to write back, just use the letters as an excuse to practice. However, a reply would be a bonus. Good luck!

I would also check with jbb.

[woosang]

As above. Just find a tool you like get one or all of the books listed already and Just do it (as Nike says) practice practice practice

[cedargirl]

There are a lot of useful web resources too. Just do a search and explore.
The best advice I can offer is pick a single script and stick with it till you are competent. My early learning was slow because i kept switching around.

[Tracy Lee]

I am super interested in this thread and I appreciate the great information. I may just finally give it a shot!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[Pens&Lit]

Thanks for all the info and the advice everyone! I'm going to pick up some dip pens and give it a shot. Thanks again!