Thing to Learn: Copperplate Caligraphy

Copperplate calligraphy is (at least for me) harder than brush calligraphy. I used to think that it's something only professional calligraphers can do. But after trying it myself, I think it was a silly thought! Come on, it's just a pen. You're writing with a different pen, that's all. You just have to get used to the new pen and... write away!

What you need?

1. PEN
I'm new at this too, so before starting this thing I asked the seller's recommendation for a beginner like me. She said that there are two kinds of pens: fountain pen & dip pens. Fountain pen has an ink cartridge attached to the nib. you fill it with ink and you can start writing. Dip pen only consists of nib & holder. You dip the nib in ink, and start writing. I use dip pen: Tachikawa T-25 holder & Baignol & Farjon 190 nib.

2. INK
I haven't tried a lot of ink, but I found out that you can use watercolor solution too! Cheap and colorful but transparent (don't add to much water). I also use Parker Quick for the black ink but I found it smudgy on some papers. For metallic ink , I use Gouache Extra Fine Quality from Talens. There are a lot of color selections, I used the light gold in the picture above. It looks good on black paper!

3. PAPER
I tried writing on several kinds of paper, and I find smooth paper is easier to write. But there are some papers that are easily scratched by the nib even when I give it a very slight pressure. Find various kinds of paper in your home and have fun!