How to Write

The Chancery Italic Hand Calligraphy Font

Calligraphy means beautiful writing. It is a decorative writing style that utilizes a specialized calligraphy pen. Calligraphy can enhance wedding invitations, thank you notes, and any other writing that could use some extra class. Writing in a Calligraphic font requires setting up the work station, practicing proper posture, and executing the pen strokes to form letters. You will need: Caution! Ink will stain fabrics and other A calligraphy pen absorbent surfaces. An inkwell Paper A sloped, flat surface (such as a partially filled 3-ring binder) A sink Liquid soap Paper towels

Throughout the instructions, look for tips and rationale in blue and self-checks in green!

Time Required: 15 minutes to learn; additional time necessary to free write

Parts of the Calligraphy Pen

breather hole

tine

split tine

Top View nib Figure 1: Parts of the Pen

Set Up:

1) Place the paper on the sloped surface, so that its facing toward you.

2) Clean the pen: Wash the nib of the pen with soap and water. Dry the nib extensively with paper towels. A clean metal surface holds ink better and offers more control.

3) Dip the pen into the ink, so that the ink comes up to (but does not surpass) the breather hole. Refer to Figure 2.

Back of the nib will appear colored Do not dip ink above this line

Figure 2: Pen Dipped in Ink

Figure 3: Back of Inked Pen

Posture:

4) Hold the pen so that the nib creates a 45 degree angle with the vertical of the paper. Figure 3 illustrates this position.

The top of the pen should face away from your body.

Figure 3: Pen Position Once in this position, do not change it! It keeps lines consistent.

5) Keep your arm light on the page: Elevate your elbow a centimeter above the table.

Strokes:

6) In one motion, draw a vertical line as seen in Figure 4: Apply gentle pressure to the pen. Use your elbow (not wrist or fingers) to guide the pen vertically downward.

Note: Pens are fragile; too much pressure could separate the tines permanently.

Figure 4: Vertical Line Leading with the elbow keeps lines straight and deliberate. Keep wrist and fingers unmoving!

7) In one motion, draw a circle such as that in Figure 5.

There should be 2 points on the circle where the line becomes as thin as the nib thickness.

Figure 5: Circle Keep the angle of the pen constant to create the thin spots.

8) Repeat steps 6 and 7 until the strokes can be done without blotting or stuttering (refer to the troubleshooting guide below). Remember to keep proper posture! It will make strokes smoother.

Troubleshooting Strokes

Oversaturated Packets

Make the stroke smoother; do not hesitate during the motion.

Bleeding on the edges

Move more quickly there will be less time for the ink to sink into the paper

Varying line thickness on parallel planes

Lighten your arm on the page. Keep your wrist still, focus on leading with the elbow.

Ink lightens in color or fades out

Re-ink the pen! Repeat step 3.

9) Try ovals, horizontal lines, and diagonal lines until theyre smooth.

Alphabet:

10) Practice letters using the stroke guide (Figure 6 below). Be patient and dont rush!

Once youre comfortable with the alphabet, youre able to write whatever you want!

Figure 6: Stroke Guide

Clean- up:

11) Clean the pen: Run the pen under water until the water is no longer colored with ink. Expose all angles of the nib to the water. Use soap to clean the nib surface. Dry completely with paper towels. Rust will form if excess water is left on the nib.

For continued care of your calligraphy materials, store your pen and ink in a dry, room-temperature setting. Once the basics have been learned, more advanced typography can be pursued. Different fonts each offer their own personality explore and find one that suits your needs! Some examples are included below! Keep in mind that other fonts may utilize varying pen angles.

Kingthings Calligraphica (www.slodive.com)

Old English Gothic (www.callifonts.com)

Ireland (www.callifonts.com)