It’s a good idea to start off your calligraphy career with an inexpensive calligraphy pen. After a little bit of constant practice at the newly acquired calligraphy skills and the basic pen techniques are mastered the next phase is to think about stepping up to the next level. It's going to be more expensive and there will be some new skills to learn but it will eventually become time to purchase a new calligraphy pen.
There will be some decisions to make over whether you buy a calligraphy pen with removable nibs or a pen with a fixed nib. Naturally, it will come down to your own personal preference. Some calligraphers like the convenience of simply picking up a different pen depending on what nib width they need to use. Others prefer the familiarity and feel of the same pen holder and change the nibs to suit their work. Adding and removing pen nibs will become second nature as you become get used to your pen. It is important to ensure that the nib is aligned correctly when putting it in the pen holder. Failing to do so will affect your work.
Next, you may be faced with another choice to make. Do you buy a calligraphy pen with a reservoir that can be removed or one that comes with an ink reservoir permanently attached? There is an advantage in the permanently attached reservoir in that it holds more ink, reducing the interruption of constant refilling. Filling the ink reservoir, whether with an eye-dropper or by dipping the pen allows the calligrapher exercise more control over their work. As you get used to your pen you will appreciate this control too.
It will take a little practice to add ink to your calligraphy pen to perfect. Making an error could affect your work with erratic lines, particularly if the nib is overloaded. It's also necessary to be very meticulous when repositioning removable ink reservoirs, that the flange is properly located every time. It only has to overhang the nib by a tiny amount to cause thin or ragged edges on one side of your lines.
There will still be a lot of maintenance required to keep your pen in good working order. The pen nib is one piece of equipment in particular that will require constant attention. Pen nibs are disposed to getting choked with dried ink, some faster than others which depends on the type and quality of ink you use. By keeping a clean absorbent cloth and some water near by while you work, your pen will remain as able to construct sharp, clean lines as it was on the day you took it out of the package.
Your calligraphy pen will have a big influence on the quality of work you produce. The better the choice and maintenance of your pen will mean that you have the best chance to create work that you will be proud of and that the work you produce will last a long time.
Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Damieng
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