Calligraphy Supplies for Pointed Pen Calligraphy

Weather you are a beginner or an experienced calligrapher, you’ll be needing a set of supplies for your practice time, no matter what: paper, pen, nib and ink. We’ve talked about some of these materials in other articles and now it’s time to talk about inks. What kind of inks are there on the market? Which one are more preferable than others? Find out about different kinds of inks and when to use them best.

Types of Calligraphy Inks

Fluid & Thin Inks

First, let’s talk about regular inks, the ones you can find available anywhere and that is usually used for fountain pens. This ink is often very fluid. Furthermore, this kind of ink usually have a translucent appearance on paper as the nib empties. As a result of its thin and fluid consistency, it is not advisable to use it on papers lighter than 100gsm, as it can easily diffuse and the visual effect is not desirable.

Second, there are watercolors that many calligraphers like to use. Similar to the fountain pen inks, these are very fluid and transparent. Use them on thick paper for a clean and pleasant look.

You can easily use these fluid inks with any type of nibs and you should have a good control of the pressure when using flexible nibs, since they can rapidly flow off the nib and create ink blobs. Furthermore, you can easily use them with rigid nibs. You should use fluid inks wise in order to write more letters.

Consistent & Thick

Another option for your calligraphy practice is a thick ink. The consistency of this ink is similar to cream. Consequently, they flow harder and last longer. Since they have this thick consistency and flow harder, it is best to use with flexible an medium flexible nibs and write slow.  This way you allow them to flow consistently and avoid interruptions. Usually these inks have an opaque finish and can be successfully used on almost any kind of paper, as they diffuse less.

Equally important to consider is the fact that these types of ink can be produced using pigments, gouaches or acrylic paints. Nevertheless, acrylic inks are very intrusive and corrosive for the nib. Therefore we recommend to wash the nib frequently while writing.

Conclusion – It’s up to your personal preference

Considering your personal aesthetics and project you will choose if you need a translucent look or an opaque one. Also, keep in mind if you have a light hand or if you are still working in achieving a good control of your pressure when you choose your ink’s consistency. Also, consider the type of nib you are using. Finally, the combination ink-paper is crucial for a clean and beautiful look of your work. Then, when it comes to colors, the sky is the limit, so express yourself creatively!

I recommend testing several inks and nibs in order to see which one is best for you, so feel free!